Why Experts Like Dr. Peter Attia Love Blood Flow Restriction Training

Did you know that you can gain muscle when rehabbing by lifting light weights with a tourniquet around your muscle?

We know what you’re thinking: Tourniquet training?

Yes, you read that right.

An exciting form of advanced physical therapy called Blood Flow Restriction Therapy (BFR) has proven to be especially useful after a regenerative cell procedure to strengthen the muscles around an affected joint.

The way it works is quite simple: after partially restricting blood flow using a series of well-calibrated, inflatable Velcro bands (tourniquets), patients perform muscle contractions to increase the size, strength and endurance of healing muscles.

It’s like lifting weights, but with tight cuffs on your arms or legs.

Here’s what you need to know:

–   BFR training can be performed 2-3 times a week for three works OR 1-2 times a day for less than three week

–   A good ratio for upper body and lower body is 40% arms to 50% legs (or even 50/50)

–   BFR is best used with four reps per set, in the following sequence: 30-15-15-15

–   Maximum wear time for the cuffs is 20 minutes

–   The ideal loads will be 20% to 50% of a patient’s one rep maximum lift

–   Repetitions should be slow, up to two full seconds for each positive and negative movement

–   Rest should be anywhere from 30 to 60 seconds between sets.

To learn more about the mechanisms behind BFR training and how it works, check out Dr. Purita’s blog post and the study he helped author on this unique exercise strategy.

If you’re curious about trying blood flow restriction training, our infrared sauna, red light therapy or any other regenerative medicine technique you’ve learned about, you can request an appointment with one of our providers at our Boca Raton location in Southern Palm Beach, Florida.

And be sure to check out our exclusive tour of FAU’s weight room with Head Strength and Condition Coach, Joey Guarascio right here.

PUR-FORM