Personalized Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation (PBFR)
This is the process of applying a specialized tourniquet system, similar to a blood pressure cuff applied to either an arm or leg.
How does it work?
- The tourniquet is inflated to a personalized and specific pressure to reduce blood flow to the exercising arm or leg.
- The application is brief usually less than six minutes.
- The goal is to increase muscle strength, muscle endurance and potentially muscle growth while utilizing 20% of the amount of weight one would lift at during exercise.
- The BFR is a great tool to help bridge the gap between corrective exercises and return to play/work.
- PBFR is well researched, checkout http://www.owensrecoveryscience.com for more information and research articles.
More about PBFR
When using PBFR techniques, the blood flow is restricted, increasing levels of lactic acid (anaerobic byproduct) in the muscle, which will signal for greater release of growth hormones and insulin growth factors (anabolic response). This then encourages cellular swelling, and growth – ultimately increasing muscle strength, endurance and muscle growth. PBFR also assists in recovery, utilizing the body’s natural systems to improve itself.
Safety
PBFR has consistently demonstrated to be a safe procedure and has been performed on thousands of subjects in the peer-reviewed literature with little to no side-effects. Clinicians are always encouraged to use an FDA device listed tourniquet system specifically indicated for PBFR use and with built in safety features, which the Delfi unit utilized by Livemax Health Group has. The PBFR is currently used extensively in clinical settings by trained professionals within large healthcare systems, professional sports teams, private clinics, Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy schools, NCAA athletic departments and the military.
