December 2018 Newsletter

December 2018 Newsletter

Warmest of Holiday Greetings from all of us at DSPT! We have recently gifted ourselves, and by extension, all of our clients with a new rehabilitative device called Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training. More info after the jump:

  1. BFR is a game changing injury recovery therapy that has the potential to:
    • Diminish atrophy and loss of strength from disuse and non-weight bearing after injuries
    • Increase strength with only 30% loads
    • Increase hypertrophy with only 30% loads
    • Improve muscle endurance in 1/3 the time
    • Improve muscle protein synthesis in the elderly
    • Improve strength and hypertrophy after surgery
    • Improve muscle activation
    • Increase growth hormone responses
  2. How does BFR training accomplish muscle strength and hypertrophic gains? During BFR, limited oxygen to the muscle means that the slow-twitch, endurance Type I muscle fibers aren't very active as they require oxygen as fuel. Instead, the bigger, faster, power generating Type II muscle fibers are recruited. Under these restrictive oxygenation and circulatory conditions, BFR is able to work these Type II fibers to lactic acid fatigue (triggering muscle protein synthesis)  at lower exercise loads/intensity without undue stress or strain or compromise to joint and other soft tissue structures!
  3. How do we use BFR in our clinic? Current literature on practical BFR training use cuffs or straps placed just proximal to either upper or lower extremity. This would look like wrapping at the level of the deltoid tuberosity (to work joints of the upper limb) and at or slightly beneath the greater trochanter of the femur (for lower limb areas).

    The generally prescribed protocol is as follows:

    Using a weight that is 20-30% of 1 Rep Max

    • Set 1: 30 reps / Rest: 30-60 seconds
    • Set 2: 15 reps / Rest: 30-60 seconds
    • Set 3: 15 reps / Rest: 30-60 seconds
    • Set 4: 15 reps / Rest: 30-60 seconds
  4. Patients who have used BFR training at our clinic for their injuries and/or post surgically have noted that the procedure is not only comfortable, but challenging. Our clinicians have also noted that incorporating BFR into our clients programs have helped facilitate our clients progression and minimize flare ups in PT. Though new, BFR has been a positive complement to the performance and medical care of our clients.

We here at DSPT are here to professionally manage your journey toward caring for and healing your whole self, mind and body. Give us a call to see what we and our network of specialized health care providers can do for you!

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