close up of a leg with blood flow restriction equipment

Blood Flow Restriction Training

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy has been used since 1966 but has recently gained significant popularity within the physical therapy community. The surge in research supporting BFR began with military personnel recovering from traumatic injuries and has since expanded to include use by collegiate and professional athletes.

BFR Therapy is FDA-approved as a safe and effective technique that trained medical professionals use to help patients improve muscle strength—often with lower loads and less stress on joints. With over 800 research articles published, BFR is a well-studied and trusted method to enhance rehabilitation and performance.

What is Blood Flow Restriction Therapy?

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy helps patients regain strength in injured or weak muscles while minimizing stress on the recovering limb. Using a specialized surgical-grade cuff, our physical therapists apply precise external pressure to an arm or leg during targeted exercises.

This technique is typically part of a comprehensive pain management plan that includes exercise, stretching, and other therapeutic methods.

The goal of BFR is to maintain blood flow into the muscle while restricting outflow, which maximizes strength gains with less strain on muscles and joints. This approach can accelerate recovery after surgery or injury, helping patients rebuild strength more quickly and with less effort.

BFR is effective for stimulating muscle growth (hypertrophy) and is safe for use with arthritic joints, pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, and maintaining performance in athletes.

Treatment sessions typically last no longer than 20 minutes.