Blood Flow Restriction: Is It a Game Changer for Rehab Professionals?

Presented by Phil Plisky and Johnny Owens

Blood Flow Restriction: Is It a Game Changer for Rehab Professionals?

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Audio Runtime: 56 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 7 Minutes

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.

Learning Objectives
  • 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
This is an audio-only course. Additional materials are available for download within the course. To receive continuing education credit, complete the course and the accompanying quiz.

Meet your instructors

A person in a dark polo shirt smiles against a wavy white background.

Phil Plisky

Dr. Phil Plisky is a professor in the University of Evansville’s Doctor of Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education programs. He is the host of the Medbridge Rehab and Performance Lab podcast and founder of the Coaches Club at

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A confident person in an orange Under Armour polo stands arms crossed in a gym, representing medbridge's focus on empowering healthy lifestyles.

Johnny Owens

Johnny Owens is the CEO and director of clinical research and education for Owens Recovery Science, an Inc. 5000 company. He is the former chief of human performance optimization at the Center for the Intrepid at San Antonio Military Medical Center. He completed his undergraduate coursework in biology at The University of…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Blood Flow Restriction: Is It a Game Changer for Rehab Professionals?

1. Blood Flow Restriction: Is It a Game Changer for Rehab Professionals?

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.

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