Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Increase muscle mass, strength, and endurance with blood flow restriction therapy at Accelerate Health.

Promote Muscle Gains

Unlock the power of your body’s natural growth factors and enjoy the feeling of your new flex.

Enhance Performance

Bring increased muscle strength and endurance to the field and make your athletic dreams a reality.

Speed Recovery

Reject limitations as you use shorter, lower-intensity exercise sessions to achieve stellar results.

What is Blood Flow Restriction Therapy?

Blood flow restriction therapy (BFRT), also known as occlusion training, is a rehabilitation and strength training technique that uses a specialized tourniquet-like device or pressure cuffs to temporarily restrict blood flow to a specific part of the body during exercise. It's a relatively new approach that has gained popularity in the Denver area in the fields of physical therapy, sports medicine, and strength training. The primary goal of BFRT is to promote muscle growth, strength, and rehabilitation while using lighter loads or lower-intensity exercises.

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How does Blood Flow Restriction Therapy Work?

As the name implies, blood flow restriction therapy involves temporarily restricting blood flow to the muscles during exercise.

The process is as simple as 1, 2, 3:

1. A specialized tourniquet-like device is placed around the upper arm or thigh. The device is inflated to a specific pressure that partially restricts blood flow to the working muscles but still allows arterial blood to enter the muscles.

2. With the restriction device in place, individuals perform low-intensity resistance exercises, including bodyweight exercises, resistance band exercises, or lifting light weights. The restricted blood flow forces the muscles to work harder despite the lower resistance.

3. The restricted blood flow reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the muscles, which creates a hypoxic (low oxygen) environment. This leads to muscle growth through an increased accumulation of lactic acid, activation of muscle stem cells, and the release of growth factors.

Over time, repeated BFRT training sessions at Accelerate Health Denver can lead to muscle hypertrophy, increased strength, and improved muscle endurance. Additionally, BFRT may help with rehabilitation and muscle recovery in cases of injury.

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Who Might Benefit from Blood Flow Restriction Therapy?

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy has a lot to offer Accelerate Health patients in the Lakewood area, particularly in the fields of rehabilitation, sports performance, and fitness. Blood flow restriction benefits are especially helpful for:

Athletes and Fitness Enthusiasts

BFRT can be used as a supplementary training method for athletes and individuals looking to improve their muscle strength, size, and endurance. It allows for a more intense workout with lighter weights, reducing the stress on joints. This can be especially useful for bodybuilders, powerlifters, and those rehabilitating from injuries.

Rehabilitation Patients

BFRT has shown promise in rehabilitation settings. It can help individuals recovering from injuries or surgeries to maintain and even build muscle strength with less strain on the injured area. It's often used in physical therapy to aid in the recovery of joint injuries, such as knee and shoulder injuries.

Elderly and Sedentary Individuals

BFRT can be used to stimulate muscle growth and improve muscle strength in older adults or those with limited mobility. This can help maintain independence and reduce the risk of falls.

Cardiovascular Patients

Some studies suggest that BFRT can lead to improvements in cardiovascular health, particularly by enhancing vascular function and reducing blood pressure. It might be useful for individuals with cardiovascular conditions under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

It's essential to note that BFRT therapy is not suitable for everyone, so an individualized approach and proper instruction are crucial to its safe and effective implementation. Consult with the healthcare providers at Accelerate Health Denver and Lakewood before starting BFRT therapy.

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How can I get started with Blood Flow Restriction Therapy?

At Accelerate Health, we want to help our friends in the Denver and Lakewood area recover their physical abilities, achieve their fitness goals, and feel better than ever before. When you make an appointment, we can discuss your situation and needs and determine if blood flow restriction therapy is right for you.

Together we will: