Blood Flow Restriction

  • Blood Flow restriction (BFR) training is a leading edge treatment we utilize at Revive to help our patients recover faster. BFR allows us to get a lot of the same benefits of a high-intensity exercise without the high-intensity load. This means we can get an increase in muscle strength and size with only using very light weights/resistance, therefore allowing us to bypass the injured joint while still strengthening the muscles around it.
  • How does it do that?

To get these amazing results we place an FDA approved tourniquet with a built-in doppler to occlude a certain percentage of blood flow to the working limb to create a substantial amount of anaerobic exercise. This type of exercise helps build muscle strength, size and even helps stimulate bone healing. Previously we could only obtain this much anaerobic exercise with high-intensity exercise, now we can get a lot of anaerobic exercise without the high intensity. This means we are able to strengthen the muscle in ways we couldn't before due to the limitation of joint pain. This is possible because we have created an environment that is similar to high-intensity exercise but without the high intensity.

You see when our muscles are working really hard such as when lifting heavy weights or sprinting they do not have the time and resources to use the oxygen from our blood because the demand on them is so great and blood flow can't keep up. So instead, our muscles use energy that is not created by oxygen, which is called anaerobic exercise. This type of force production from our muscles starts a cascade of physiological events that promotes muscle strength, growth, and even bone healing. We mimic this environment by NOT increasing the exercise intensity but by decreasing the blood flow to the working limp.

Blood flow restricted (BFR) rehabilitation is the brief and intermittent occlusion of the blood flow in veins using a tourniquet while exercising. Using this technique you can exercise with significantly lighter weight while still creating a hypertrophy (growth) and strength response. Traditionally to get hypertrophy and a strength response in your muscles you would need to lift a heavy load.

Application

The goal is to reduce just enough blood flow to create positive changes. However the amount of pressure used varies between individuals. The size of your limb, density of the soft tissue in your limb, blood pressure, placement of the tourniquet, and width of the tourniquet, all must be taken into account when determining your personalized pressure. Your healthcare provider will utilize a specialized tourniquet system built with a monitor to account for these variables. Additionally, your healthcare provider will discuss potential contraindications to this treatment with you to determine if you are a candidate.

Training

Once your personalized pressure is determined you will begin specific exercises based on your rehabilitation plan. Even though you are lifting a light weight your muscles will begin to feel like it is working very hard. This feeling In your muscle is the buildup of lactate and is the desired response of this training. It is important that you complete the total number of sets and repetitions prescribed by your healthcare provider in order to maximize this response. You may also begin to sweat and feel your heart rate rise similar to what you experience during a heavy workout. This is common and expected.

Effects

After you have completed your exercise session and you build up sufficient lactate many positive effects can occur. These include an increase in growth hormone and other metabolic muscle growth factors. There will also be an increase in muscle protein synthesis, your muscles’ ability to grow. You should discuss proper nutrition guidelines with your healthcare provider to maximize these effects

Side Effects

Adverse side effects are rare. The most common effects are residual swelling in the limb, a fatigued muscle and possibly some mild soreness. These are transient and usually resolved\ within 24 hours. If you have prolonged swelling, fatigue or soreness, discuss this with your healthcare provider along with any other concerns you may have.

To learn more about our Blood Flow Restriction services,
Request an appointment or give us a call at
(480) 718-9493

Our Patients Are Thriving
  • When I began PT with Revive, I had dislocated my shoulder and was unable to lift my arm, let alone do simple tasks like click my computer mouse. After a few sessions, Alyssa and Dalton had helped me get strong enough to work with resistance bands. This confidence brought me to working with 10lb weights… after which, I couldn’t lift my arm again. Alyssa and Dalton were patient enough to start me back at the basic workouts and get me to where I am today! Currently, I have no issues lifting anything, popping in the shoulder or pushing myself with heavier weights. I love this place and the people make it what it is! I love the front staff too…. I can’t get enough 🙂

    - Tiareh A.

  • I love coming to Revive. Saeed, Alyssa, and Dalton (Who I did not work with) care so much about their patients and quality of life (or so it seems). Every time, even through the tough exercises, is an enjoyable experience. My neck and back are feeling better but will continue to be a work in progress, but my shoulder now has a better range of motion and no pain. The group at Revive are amazing and I am grateful for them and I never forget my time I had here.

    - Segrid S.

  • Hi, my name is Gigi and during my 55 years on the planet, I have never experienced any Physical Therapy. I recently hurt my shoulder and my Doctor had me go to PT. I found this wonderful place online and I would highly recommend Revive to everyone I know. I had minimal range of motion with my right arm and struggled with simple movements such as lifting my arm and couldn’t sleep on my right side. My pain level was a 10, at best. I have had 100% improvement since coming to Revive. I now have full range of motion and can sleep on my right side with no pain! Pain level is now a 1, if that! During my first visit I asked Saeed “Where have you been all my life” LOL! What a great experience!

    - Gigi S.

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