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)
