MAXX Physical Therapy is professionally trained and certified to use Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) to modify the blood flow of a recovering athlete's limb. BFR tricks the brain into thinking the muscles are working harder than they are and stimulates the production of growth hormones. This also increasing energy levels, improves strength and performance, and helps regulate the metabolism. BFR training at MAXX allows trainers to gain more with less effort.
Our BFR training involves wrapping a band around the top of your arm or leg prior to training. In order to be effective, this band must be tight enough to restrict the veins in the arms or legs from returning blood from the muscles to the heart, but not so tight that it stops fresh blood traveling from the heart to the muscles. This is extremely important, as stopping arterial blood flow can lead to serious problems.
Our BFR uses bands that are specially designed to allow blood flow to the limb while still adequately restricting flow out of the veins to get the “BFR effect”. Our team is trained and certified to use these bands safely and effectively. Today, some of the world’s best athletes, coaches, doctors, and physical therapists use BFR to facilitate faster recoveries, increase muscle strength, improve performance, and get more out of a workout.
Benefits of Blood Flow Restriction Training
Gain More While Doing Less
One of the biggest benefits of BFR training is the ability to achieve the same results from low intensity resistance exercises as those achieved through high-intensity resistance training (i.e weightlifting). With BFR training, you use much lighter weights. This makes BFR training ideal for people that cannot lift heavy weights due to injury, age or other factors.
Increased Strength and Muscle Size
Even though very light weights are used, BFR training increases protein synthesis similar to traditional strength training. The increase in protein synthesis combined with reduced muscle damage puts the body in the best possible position for building lean muscle. Because BFR causes less muscle damage, gains have been observed faster than in traditional strength training.
Anti-Aging Effects
BFR training stimulates the production of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) which helps promote growth of lean muscle. BFR training produces a “systemic effect” due to the hormonal release into the body’s circulatory system. While only arms and/or legs may have been under restriction, the hormonal release into the blood stream goes everywhere and benefits any are of the body that was exercised (core, back, etc). Doing low intensity workouts with BFR allows you to get the maximum benefits without the wear and tear on your body.
Recovery
BFR training at MAXX Physical Therapy allows individuals recovering from a hard workout, competition, or injury to maintain physical fitness, increase strength, and reduce atrophy. By limiting blood flow to the muscles, users can work the muscles without placing excessive weight on the limb. If a part of the body is comprised from being able to tolerate normal training, BFR may provide an alternative form of training to still fatigue the body without added stress. In addition, the systemic aspect of BFR means that non-compromised parts of the body may be trained as normal, so instead of sitting around waiting for the body to repair itself, you can actively produce an anabolic release (i.e. Growth Hormone, etc) that benefits all parts of the body. For injury recovery, always consult a qualified medical professional for proper care and guidance.
BFR training at MAXX is ideal for individuals of all ages and abilities. Our treatments allows users to exercise safer, smarter, and with better results than any other method available today. Please contact MAXX Physical Therapy today for more information about blood flow restriction training.