Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT)

Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT)

What is BFR?

Blood flow restriction training is an evidence-based form of training that promotes improvements in strength and endurance at a lower intensity level of exercise by limiting the amount of blood flow supplied to the muscle being targeted. BFR training has been proven to increase strength and muscle size, decrease rehabilitation time, improve cardiovascular endurance, and increase the rate of recovery after strenuous exercise or athletic events.

What Should I Expect?

Your Physical Therapist will begin by discussing your past medical history to verify that BFR is safe for you. A cuff will then be fastened around the top of your arm or leg and pumped up until maximal occlusion of blood flow is measured. The therapist will then adjust the pressure in the cuff so that only a certain percentage of blood flow is restricted to the muscles while you exercise. Exercise with BFR is not painful; however, you will experience fatigue at a faster rate.

How Does BFR Work?

By reducing the blood flow to a limb and completely occluding the flow out of the limb, muscles are metabolically stressed, therefore mimicking a more intense exercise than what is actually being performed. As a result, the body recruits more muscle fibers, metabolite concentration increases, and muscle strength and growth are stimulated

Is it Safe?

Extensive research has been conducted regarding safety of BFR. BFR is not advised if you have cancer, unmanaged hypertension, lymphedema, active infection, impaired circulation, history of DVT, and other cardiac conditions.

Is BFR Right for Me?

Blood flow restriction training is safe and effective for a wide range of populations and conditions including but not limited to:

  • Pre/Post-Operation
  • Musculoskeletal Injuries
  • Muscle Strains or Weakness
  • Poor Muscular Endurance
  • Joint Pain
  • Return-to-Sport Treatment
  • Athletes
  • Elderly
Therapists offering Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT)
John Amato, PT, DPT
John Amato headshot
John Amato, PT, DPT
DPT, PT
Tom Anderson, PT, DPT, CSCS
Tom Anderson headshot
Tom Anderson, PT, DPT, CSCS
Lauren Carleton, PT, DPT, CHT
Lauren Carleton headshot
Lauren Carleton, PT, DPT, CHT
Jeremy Crow, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, ART
Jeremy Crow headshot
Jeremy Crow, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, ART
ART, CSCS, DPT, PT, SCS
Brian Esterle, PT, DPT
Brian Esterle headshot
Brian Esterle, PT, DPT
Chih Huang, PT, DPT, CSCS, ACSM-EP
Chih Huang Headshot
Chih Huang, PT, DPT, CSCS, ACSM-EP
Kara Kaplan, PT, DPT, OCS
Kara Kaplan headshot
Kara Kaplan, PT, DPT, OCS
Matthew Klayman, PT, DPT, OCS
Matthew Klayman headshot
Matthew Klayman, PT, DPT, OCS
Kyle Koelsch, PT, DPT, CSCS
Kyle Koelsch headshot
Kyle Koelsch, PT, DPT, CSCS
CSCS, DPT, PT
Jay Kwon, PT, DPT, CSCS
Jay Kwon headshot
Jay Kwon, PT, DPT, CSCS
Eli Lamberson, PT, DPT, CSCS
Eli Lamberson headshot
Eli Lamberson, PT, DPT, CSCS
Kevin Lapham, PT, DPT, CSCS
Kevin Lapham headshot
Kevin Lapham, PT, DPT, CSCS
Justin Lugtu, PT, DPT, CSCS
Justin Lugtu headshot
Justin Lugtu, PT, DPT, CSCS
Alexis Lyons, PT, DPT, C-PS
Alexis Lyons headshot
Alexis Lyons, PT, DPT, C-PS
Lukasz Mroz, PT, MS, OMT, PNF, OCS
Lukasz Mroz headshot
Lukasz Mroz, PT, MS, OMT, PNF, OCS
MS, OCS, OMT, PNF, PT
Alyse Myers, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC
Alyse Myers headshot
Alyse Myers, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC
ATC, DPT, OCS, PT
Diana Ottomanelli, MS, OTR/L
Diana Ottomanelli headshot
Diana Ottomanelli, MS, OTR/L
Matthew Procopio, PT, DPT
Matthew Procopio headshot
Matthew Procopio, PT, DPT
Nick Puleo, PT, DPT, CSCS, XPS
Nick Puleo headshot
Nick Puleo, PT, DPT, CSCS, XPS
Daniel Romeo, PT, DPT, CSCS, TPI I
Daniel Romeo headshot
Daniel Romeo, PT, DPT, CSCS, TPI I
CSCS, DPT, PT, TPI Level 1
Benjamin Schwartz, PT, DPT
Benjamin Schwartz headshot
Benjamin Schwartz, PT, DPT
Jeffrey Smith, PT, DPT
Jeffrey Smith headshot
Jeffrey Smith, PT, DPT
Clyde Staley, PT, DPT, CSCS
Clyde Staley headshot
Clyde Staley, PT, DPT, CSCS
Margaret "Maggie" Strode, MS, OTR/L, LSVT BIG
Margaret "Maggie" Strode headshot
Margaret "Maggie" Strode, MS, OTR/L, LSVT BIG
LSVT BIG, MS, OTR/L
Nicole Surach, PT, DPT, SFMA
Nicole Surach headshot
Nicole Surach, PT, DPT, SFMA
Merin Thazhathukunnel PT, DPT, LSVT BIG, BFRT
Merin Thazhathukunnel headshot
Merin Thazhathukunnel PT, DPT, LSVT BIG, BFRT
Michael Virgile, PT, DPT, CSCS
Michael Virgile headshot
Michael Virgile, PT, DPT, CSCS
Donald Zerio, PT, DPT, TPI Level II
Donald Zerio headshot
Donald Zerio, PT, DPT, TPI Level II
Named the nation's top physical therapy practice (twice).
Banner with logos