Could Your Sleep Habits Be Hindering Your Recovery? Over the past several years I have noticed the word “recovery” being used more and more in the health and fitness world. It seems like every week there is a new gadget that is marketed as a recovery tool. Products such as Normatec boots, Theraguns, cryo […]
How PT can Help with Your Headaches Did you know that headaches are one of the most complained about medical ailments in the United States? It is reported that approximately 8 million people visit the doctor each year with the primary complaint of headaches. Having suffered from almost daily headaches in college after sustaining […]
Finding your First Job After PT School You’ve made it through the grind and you’re on the home stretch towards graduation. You’ve started prepping for the NEPTE (or not) and you’ve started the inevitable job search. Luckily, as you move through the end of third year, recruiters stream in daily like a flock of […]
Meet Our Newest Team Member in Decatur, Alabama My name is Blake Thomas and I am the newest addition to the Refine team. I will be practicing out of our first North Alabama location in Decatur. I am so excited to help the people of Decatur reduce pain and improve their ability to do […]
The Truth about “Degenerative Disc Disease” What studies have shown on the topic of “disc degeneration” and it’s role in back pain might surprise you. In the medical community, it may be easy to look at changes on imaging and use them to justify why pain is occurring in people of all ages; however, […]
BFR: A Few Thoughts in Closing One question that I have received before is what cuff should I use? My answer is that there are multiple options, from elastic squat bands (functional BFR), to the use of FDA regulated cuffs such as those from Owens Recovery Science. At Refine PT and Performance, we […]
BFR: The bridge (From Low-load Resistance Training with BFR to High loads Without BFR) Last post we discussed the benefits of the application of BFR training to low intensity endurance exercise, namely walking (and stationary cycling). The third rung in the ladder to full functional tolerance after injury or bed rest is the progression […]
BFR: Low Intensity Exercise In the last post, we focused on how to initiate the return to function progression with applied BFR following injury or other causes of bed rest. The 2nd rung on the ladder that leads to return to function would be application of BFR in combination with low-load, endurance training. As […]
BFR: Application with Bed Rest In the last two posts, we’ve covered the basics of blood flow restriction, as well as discussed the importance of skeletal muscle in function and wellness. Next, we will piece together some applications of BFR. 1) Bed Rest In many cases (following surgery, illness, or injury) […]
BFR: Muscle Mass is King In the last article, we discussed what blood flow restriction, or BFR, actually involves, as well as touched on its safety. Next, let’s look at skeletal muscle as well as atrophy so we can better understand why/when BFR could be useful. Most people already know the role of skeletal […]