Imagine finding a remedy for your golf-related discomfort that’s on the rise in popularity. This might just be the breakthrough you’ve been hoping for.
Many golfers are already acquainted with the advantages of wearing compression clothing, which is known for enhancing blood circulation and delivering healing properties to areas plagued by pain or soreness. However, there’s a fascinating technique that flips this concept on its head: blood-flow restriction therapy, often abbreviated as BFR.
Healthcare professionals and athletic trainers frequently utilize this innovative strategy, which involves applying significant pressure between the heart and a specific joint. This effectively constricts the flow of blood away from the heart to that joint. When paired with exercise, this limitation can significantly speed up recovery processes for conditions ranging from post-operative rehabilitation and osteoarthritis treatment to strength training and recovery from fatigue—even aiding physical therapy for children with neurological issues.
To put it simply, restricting blood flow to a particular body area can enhance muscle growth (known as hypertrophy) without necessitating heavy lifting. This means that muscles are compelled to exert themselves more intensely even when faced with lighter external loads. Just think about how advantageous this could be for individuals who are fatigued, injured, or lack the strength and joint functionality to build muscle through traditional methods.
"It’s something that has been around for quite a while and it surprisingly works wonders," remarks Ben Shear, the Chief Fitness Advisor at Golf Digest. Shear, who trains several professional golfers including Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, is also the creator of Golf Digest’s Fitness Trainer Certification. "For golfers, this method is fantastic for a variety of issues like elbow tendinitis, shoulder discomfort, knee pain, and many other joint-related problems."
While exercising with restricted blood flow is one effective application of BFR, it certainly isn’t the only method, according to Shear. Recently, numerous BFR devices have emerged on the market, enabling quicker recovery from fatigue and soreness simply by wearing them. The compression generated by these devices aids in lymphatic drainage and alleviating delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Golf Digest Certified Fitness Trainer Justin Barr adds, "I can’t emphasize enough how advantageous BFR can be when it comes to recovering from injuries or when trying to elevate the intensity of workouts while using lower resistance levels. Additionally, BFR has become an accepted treatment approach in physical therapy clinics, and many insurance providers now cover its costs."
An exciting development in this field is the introduction of various products designed for home use, available at a range of prices—some exceeding $1,000 while others are under $150. These devices typically come equipped with one or multiple cuffs that can be wrapped around limbs for treatment or training purposes. Many of these cuffs can be controlled via smartphone apps, marking a significant advancement since users no longer need to manually inflate the cuffs or estimate the pressure being applied. The best products are calibrated to deliver the appropriate amount of pressure based on individual goals with just a simple button press.
For instance, the company Suji offers cuffs for both arms and legs priced at $519, and they are backed by endorsements from professional athletes like Justin Rose, as well as being utilized by teams in various major sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Ben Shear has one of these devices available in his training facility located in Jupiter, Florida.
"If you’re utilizing it for static purposes, daily use is perfectly fine," he explains. "However, when incorporating the cuffs into your training routine, I recommend limiting usage to a few times a week and ensuring that you remove them periodically, as the occlusion caused by the cuffs is quite significant."
Other noteworthy BFR products on the market include SmartCuffs 4.0 priced at $499, BStrong at $480, and Edge at $130. There are also less expensive manually inflated bands available online, including on sites like Amazon, but their capabilities might be somewhat restricted compared to their more advanced counterparts.
