Could You Benefit From Vasopneumatic Therapy?
Have you heard of vasopneumatic therapy? It is not offered in all physical therapy clinics, but at Southern Physical Therapy Clinic, we are proud to say that it is one of our many successful methods of treatment.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association’s “Positions, Standards, Guidelines, Policies, & Procedures” handbook, vasopneumatic compression devices are defined as one of the minimum skills a physical therapist should offer for interventions.
Because of this, it is important to choose a physical therapy clinic that offers it - because it just may be the best treatment method for you. To learn more about vasopneumatic therapy and how it could benefit you, contact our physical therapy clinic today.
Vasopneumatic therapy, defined
Vasopneumatic therapy, also known as blood flow restriction training (BFRT), involves using a cuff to decrease blood flow to working muscles to promote hypertrophy and prevent atrophy. The pressure created by these compression devices is high enough to occlude blood flow at 50-80% within the affected muscles. Research has proven the safety of these devices.
Vasopneumatic therapy is based on a popular theory that the treatments lead to a “local hypoxic event,” meaning the tissues in the affected area will be temporarily deprived of oxygen. While this may sound intimidating, the local hypoxia actually helps in accumulating more metabolites, in order to regulate the body’s anabolic response system (also known as the way in which the body gains muscle protein) during exercise. Essentially, restricting the blood flow in the affected area helps to build more muscle protein.
This form of treatment has been known to treat almost any upper or lower body injury, and it can also be used as a form of rehabilitation following surgery. The compression devices used with vasopneumatic therapy measure the amount of pressure that is recommended for the affected area, in order for the patient to successfully execute each targeted exercise and gain the desired effects.
What’s the point of vasopneumatic therapy?
When performing the exercises with vasopneumatic therapy, the intended goal is to tire out the affected area in order to stimulate the body’s natural healing and tissue-building processes. This process uses 30% of the normal required loads with the same desired benefits.
This significant reduction in required load is less stress on any joint or surgical site, thus allowing strengthening to occur where traditional strengthening would not be indicated. The result is accelerated recovery time, so you can get back to living your normal life as quickly as possible.
Contact Southern Physical Therapy Clinic today
If you believe you could benefit from vasopneumatic therapy, consult with one of our Picayune & Wiggins physical therapists today. Our licensed physical therapists are highly trained in how this therapy works, and they would love to discuss how it may benefit you personally.
Contact Southern Physical Therapy Clinic today to schedule a consultation and get started on the path toward recovery, pain relief, increased strength, and overall functional improvement!
