Understanding Blood Flow Restriction Training: What It Is And Who Benefits

If you are like most people, you want to get as much out of your workouts as you can. Whether you need to recover from an injury or just want to keep your body healthy, you may have searched for physical therapy near me to see how this process can help you. However, have you heard about a new therapy called blood flow restriction? This is what you should know.

What Is Blood Flow Restriction Training?

Blood flow restriction training helps you build your muscles faster with a less intense workout. During this process, Your PT will place a tourniquet in a key position to restrict the blood flow to the muscles you want to build. Then, you can work out using a lighter weight. Your brain thinks that you have a heavier weight and that your workout is much harder than it truly is.

When Is This Training Beneficial?

When you contact a physical therapy Olmos Park clinic that specializes in this type of training, reputable therapists can discuss why you should or should not pursue this type of training. For example, this therapy is best during active recovery periods. This should not be your primary source of exercise. Instead, it should be a tool you use to complement your existing workout routine.

How Does It Work?

Muscle hypertrophy is the key to building muscle and strength. This occurs when your muscles experience trauma, such as stressing them as you lift heavy weights or pull against resistance. This actually damages your muscles and your body has to repair them. Fortunately, they get stronger when the body does its repair work.

Oxygen is also a key element in building muscle. When you train, your body requires greater amounts of oxygen. However, your muscles often do not get enough oxygen during heavy workouts. During these periods, your body encourages muscle hypertrophy as a result of lactic acid buildup. This helps your muscles grow larger and stronger.

Finally, when you exercise, your body starts increasing your blood flow. It targets the muscles that you use during your workouts. This causes the cells within your muscles to swell and grow.

During blood flow restriction exercises, the tourniquet allows the blood to flow through your arteries, but it does not allow it to leave your veins and flow through your muscles, causing muscle trauma, lack of oxygen and cell swelling, but this process is much quicker than traditional strength or resistance training. It tricks your body.

Who Benefits Most From This Physical Therapy Service?

Blood flow restriction exercises benefit a number of individuals. First, those who want to build muscle can use this therapy on their down or active recovery weeks. If you have osteoporosis or another condition that restricts the amount of weight or resistance you can use, you may also benefit. If you received an injury or had surgery and want to enhance your recovery, this process may help.

If you have experience guiding people through blood flow restriction therapies, you may search for physical therapy jobs near me at clinics that offer these services. If you want to test this workout method, contact a local clinic that specializes in it.