On this episode of Rehab and Performance Lab, we sit down with Johnny Owens, MPT, a trailblazer in blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy and the founder of Owens Recovery Science. Together with host Phil Plisky, we explore how BFR has reshaped rehabilitation by allowing rehab practitioners to build muscle strength and improve recovery in patients unable to tolerate heavy loads. Phil and Johnny discuss how BFR works physiologically, the science and robust research behind it, and clinical applications for a variety of conditions, including postoperative limb injuries, tendinopathy, Parkinson’s disease, and much more. Listen in for practical insights on implementing this game-changing tool and where the research is taking us next in rehab and performance.

• Examine the application of blood flow restriction training
• Interpret the mechanisms behind BFR and how they could impact muscle
• Solve patient case scenarios involving injury/surgery and pain

Timestamps:

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:01:01) Introduction to blood flow restriction (BFR) in rehab
• (00:06:15) The origin and development of BFR
• (00:11:33) Understanding the mechanisms of BFR
• (00:15:32) Research and evidence supporting BFR
• (00:19:29) Clinical applications and considerations for BFR
• (00:27:16) Early intervention in rehabilitation
• (00:32:02) Understanding contraindications for BFR
• (00:36:05) Analgesic benefits of BFR
• (00:38:45) Tendon adaptations and BFR
• (00:44:07) Case studies: practical applications of BFR
• (00:50:18) The broader impact of BFR on health

Resources Mentioned in Episode

• Owens Recovery Science
• A Comprehensive Approach to the Use of Blood Flow Restriction in ACL Rehab (Recorded Webinar)

Rehab and Performance Lab is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Rehab and Performance Lab, visit https://www.medbridge.com/rehab-and-performance-lab

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Dr. Katie Whetstone, PT, DPT, SCS, joins host Phil Plisky to discuss the latest treatment strategies for overuse injuries in athletes. Katie and Phil explore why these injuries persist, common treatment mistakes, and evidence-based approaches that emphasize tendon loading, rest-recovery cycles, and nutritional factors. Tune in for actionable insights to enhance your rehab approach and support athletes’ long-term performance.

Learning Objectives

Timestamps

Rehab and Performance Labis brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Rehab and Performance Lab, visit https://www.medbridge.com/rehab-and-performance-lab

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Dr. Eric Robertson, PT, DPT, MFA, FAAOMPT, a leader in orthopedic physical therapy and education, joins Phil Plisky to explore the top five updates rehab providers need to know. Eric shares insights on how to implement the latest clinical practice guidelines, with practical strategies for improving patient care and clinical outcomes.

Learning Objectives

Timestamps

Rehab and Performance Lab is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Rehab and Performance Lab, visit https://www.medbridge.com/rehab-and-performance-lab

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Amy McDevitt, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT, joins Phil Plisky to share her expertise on the mechanisms of manual therapy and how understanding them can elevate clinical practice. She describes the science behind manual therapy techniques, offering valuable insights for improving patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives

Timestamps

Rehab and Performance Lab is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Rehab and Performance Lab, visit ⁠https://www.medbridge.com/rehab-and-performance-lab⁠

If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠

Adriaan Louw, a renowned expert in pain neuroscience education, joins the Rehab and Performance Lab podcast to reveal which types of patients really benefit from this type of education. Together with host Phil Plisky, he discusses the latest research, highlights evidence-based treatment strategies that can create independence and foster hope in your patients, and champions a compassionate approach to patient care. Tune in to learn how addressing patients' fears and helping them to understand why they hurt can improve outcomes, especially when combined with movement-based therapies.

Learning Objectives

Timestamps

Rehab and Performance Lab is brought to you by MedBridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your MedBridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on MedBridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Rehab and Performance Lab, visit https://www.medbridge.com/rehab-and-performance-lab

If you’d like to subscribe to MedBridge, visit https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Join Phil Plisky as he sits down with Jenna Gourlay, an expert in joint hypermobility and orthopedic residency director at the Rehabilitation & Performance Institute. In this episode, Phil and Jenna discuss the importance of recognizing and addressing joint hypermobility in clinical practice. They explore key questions clinicians should ask, highlight recent research findings, and provide practical tips for translating this knowledge into effective patient care.

Timestamps

Learning Objectives

Rehab and Performance Lab is brought to you by MedBridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your MedBridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on MedBridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Rehab and performance Lab, visit https://www.medbridge.com/rehab-and-performance-lab

If you’d like to subscribe to MedBridge, visit https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Join Phil Plisky and Alexis Wright in an insightful episode examining the latest research on surgical versus conservative treatments for musculoskeletal conditions. Lexie discusses the alarming increase in surgeries and emphasizes the critical role of top-notch rehabilitation as an initial treatment strategy. Tune in to understand the nuances of patient education, therapy efficacy, and practical approaches to guide clinical decisions.

Learning Objectives

Timestamps

Rehab and Performance Lab is brought to you by MedBridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your MedBridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on MedBridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Rehab and Performance Lab, visit https://www.medbridge.com/rehab-and-performance-lab

If you’d like to subscribe to MedBridge, visit https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Embark on a journey of discovery with Phil Plisky and Dr. Elizabeth Lane as they unravel the complex web of hidden forces and contextual factors influencing rehabilitation outcomes. Through insightful analysis taken from years specializing in orthopedics, Elizabeth sheds light on the pivotal role of patient expectations, practitioner traits, and treatment nuances, offering tangible strategies for optimizing clinical effectiveness. Tune in to empower your practice in physical therapy and athletic training.

Learning Objectives

Timestamps

Rehab and Performance Lab is brought to you by MedBridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your MedBridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on MedBridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Rehab and Performance Lab, visit https://www.medbridge.com/rehab-and-performance-lab

If you’d like to subscribe to MedBridge, visit https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Join guest Lenny Macrina, MSPT, CSCS, in an exploration of shoulder rehabilitation and surgery with host Phil Plisky. Dive into the complexities of untangling evidence surrounding shoulder rehabilitation, from dissecting recent research insights to translating them into actionable clinic strategies. This episode offers essential guidance for physical therapists and athletic trainers seeking clarity in managing shoulder injuries.

Learning Objectives

Timestamps

Rehab and Performance Lab is brought to you by MedBridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your MedBridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on MedBridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Rehab and Performance Lab, visit https://www.medbridge.com/rehab-and-performance-lab

If you’d like to subscribe to MedBridge, visit https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/

Tune in as Kyle Matsel, joins forces with Phil Plisky to unravel the complexities surrounding ACL return-to-sport timelines. Delve deep into the realm of ACL reconstruction rehabilitation, from analyzing the latest research breakthroughs to crafting actionable clinic strategies and guiding clinicians toward effective patient care that prioritizes both biological healing processes and robust return-to-play criteria standards.

Learning Objectives

Timestamps

Rehab and Performance Lab is brought to you by MedBridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your MedBridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on MedBridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.

To hear more episodes of Rehab and Performance Lab, visit https://www.medbridge.com/rehab-and-performance-lab

If you’d like to subscribe to MedBridge, visit https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/