When to Increase and Restrict Blood Flow: Tips for Faster Healing

Blood flow has a lot to do with how you heal, but it’s not always clear to people (experts included!) how it works. When you think about blood flow, your first thought is probably to increase the blood flow to the impacted area because that increase will result in more nutrients to the area, which can ultimately promote the mending of tissues and the healing of wounds.

However, there are times when it may make more sense to restrict bloodflow, as long as it’s done in a controlled way. Here, we’ll look at how that works, how a physical therapist in Woodstown, NJ can help you decide on the best course of action.

How Does Blood Restriction Work?

Blood restriction works by depriving the body in a way that stimulates your cell response. The goal is to prevent muscle atrophy and encourage growth. When your body doesn’t get the blood it needs, it causes your hormones to send out growth signals, which can result in more mobility and strength.

How to Decide

In general, it’s far more likely that a physical therapist will recommend a treatment that encourages blood flow to the area, like dry needling in Woodstown, NJ. However, in select cases, it may make more sense to restrict blood flow. For example, if your limb is in a cast, the restriction could help promote healing without damaging the already damaged bone or tissue.

If you have questions about blood flow, whether it’s because you have an injury or you’re facing an upcoming surgery, contact Woodstown Physical Therapy to learn more about how we choose the best techniques for each client and what kind of results you can expect to see!