Can we reduce strength deficits and restore them earlier with Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT)? Does BFRT reduce pain?
Blood Flow Restriction Training is able to increase muscle mass and strength with much less weights or NO weights at all.
Experts Agree on the Recommendation to Use BFR in ACL Rehabilitation (Kotsifaki et al., 2023). High intensity strength training is the best option to get these improvements. However, due to pain and tissue healing, high intensity strength training is often difficult in the acute stage of an injury.
Current research is suggesting that BFRT could:
- Reduce pain (e.g. in patellar tendinopathy).
- Reduce loss in bone mineral density and bone mass
- Possibly reduce swelling
- Possibly resolve activation problems
- Maintain or improve aerobic capacity, muscle mass and muscle strength with Aerobic BFRT
- Improve physical functioning and quality of life
Is it safe?
Short answer is yes, it is safe in adults and adolescents.
There is a misconception that it creates blood clots. The evidence does not support this, rather it suggests that it may reduce the possibility of a blood clot.
- BFR is safe if the following requirements are met:
- Medical screening passed
- Rule out absolute contra-indications (e.g. DVT, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, varicose veins)
- Consider relative contra-indications
- Blood pressure assessment
- Applied by an experienced and trained therapist
Summary:
- BFR can be a bridge towards High Load Training
- Research suggests it increases muscle mass and strength and reduces pain
- BFR complements but does not replace exercise-based rehabilitation
Omer Turkmen
Physiotherapist, Evado Studios Essendon