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New Cutting Edge TreatmentsRaleigh-Durham, Fayetteville & Surrounding North Carolina Cities

Blood Flow Restriction Training (BRFT)

BFRT is utilized by sports medicine experts, top athletes, and the U.S. military as an effective tool in the rehabilitation and strengthening of patients, producing dramatically positive outcomes.

What Is BFRT?

BFRT is an exercise modality that restricts venous outflow (never arterial occlusion) in combination with light weight or bodyweight training to achieve similar training results to high intensity training.

How Does BFRT Work?

To enhance both muscle mass and strength, high-intensity resistance exercises with loads approximately 70-85 % of 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM) are recommended. However, heavy-load-resistance exercise may not be possible with injuries that do not allow heavy strength training. BFRT safely utilizes a tourniquet style pressure that safely restricts venous blood flow. Restricted blood flow combined with light resistance exercise facilitates muscle protein synthesis and metabolic accumulation, resulting in similar gains as heavy strength training.

Which Patients Are Indicated For BFRT?

Athletes and non-athletes alike. Whether the patient is recovering from a sports injury or suffering from arthritic pain, BFRT can help build strength and get back to the activities they love. BFRT has also been shown to be safe and effective in elderly populations in reducing sarcopenia and enhancing cardiovascular health.

What Does BFRT Accomplish?

  • Increase muscle size, strength, and activation
  • Increase VO2 max
  • Decrease scar tissue and pain
  • Increase collagen synthesis for tendons, cartilage, and bone
  • Reduce post-surgical atrophy
  • Increase anti-clotting factors

LSVT

BreakThrough Physios are now LSVT BIG® certified clinicians. LSVT BIG® trains people with Parkinson’s disease to use their body more normally. LSVT BIG® is an intensive, amplitude-focused treatment that effectively trains your neuromuscular system.

Who Benefits from LSVT Treatment?

The exercises can be modified depending on the patient’s functional ability. Developed and scientifically researched over the past 25 years with funding from the National Institutes of Health, LSVT BIG® has demonstrated improvements in motor function in people with Parkinson’s disease including, but not limited to:

  • Faster walking with bigger steps
  • Improved balance
  • Increased trunk rotation
  • Improvements in daily living activities such as bed mobility and dressing
  • Improved fine motor control

LSVT BIG Program Features

The LSVT treatment protocol consists of:

  • 16 occupational or physical therapy sessions:
  • 4 consecutive days per week for 4 weeks
  • Individual one-hour sessions
  • Daily homework practice/carryover exercises
  • Program available as an outpatient or via home health (physician order required)
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The BreakThrough Difference

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.

  • We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.

  • A physical therapy visit lasts about 40-60 minutes. The actual contents of the visit vary based on your diagnosis/need, but typically what happens is:

    1. You check in with the receptionist, make any appointments necessary, and we discuss your health insurance benefits with you.
    2. You go into the gym. You can change clothes if you need to, then begin therapy.
    3. You perform 6-8 various exercises and stretches. These can include therapeutic band exercises, light body weight exercises, or minimal weights. The stretches will promote strength, stability, improved range of motion, and pain relief.
    4. We can initiate other techniques to include manual work, taping, cupping, and dry needling as needed.
    5. The therapist makes recommendations based on your progress. These can include altering the frequency of visits, making additions/alterations to your home exercise plan, or things to do before your next visit.

  • During your initial evaluation, your therapist may ask you a number of questions to determine what the cause of your pain is. This can include questions about your sleep habits, activity level, and work environment. They will also ask for a medical history, and then typically ask direct questions about where and when you experience pain.

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Ready to reclaim your life? BreakThrough is here to help.

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