BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION 

Increase your strength with less stress on painful or vulnerable areas

 

Blood Flow Restriction, or “BFR,” is a type of therapy that allows patients to increase muscle size and strength with lighter loads than traditional strength training. A skilled physical therapist applies pressure to the patient’s limb using an external device (similar to a blood pressure cuff) to limit oxygen supply to the muscle, which causes the body to switch from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism.

 

When combined with low intensity exercise, BFR allows patients to achieve the strength and size gains associated with heavy lifting without placing that high level of stress on areas that may be healing from a recent injury or surgery. This makes BFR particularly valuable for patients suffering from pain and weakness.

 

Who is a good candidates for BFR?

Research shows that Blood Flow Restriction is helpful to those suffering from osteoarthritis and patellofemoral (kneecap) pain, as well as post-surgical ACL reconstruction and knee arthroscopy patients. Current studies are also evaluating the efficacy of BFR for joint replacements, Achilles repairs, and shoulder pathologies.