Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training
Blood flow restriction training, or BFR training, uses an inflatable cuff on the upper arm or thigh to partly limit blood flow while you exercise with light weights, so you can build strength when heavy loads are off the table. We offer BFR therapy at our clinic in Chubbuck, Idaho, for patients from Chubbuck and Pocatello, with Matt Krammen, PT, DPT, Cert DN, an orthopedic PT, among the therapists who guide it.
Why restrict blood flow at all?
BFR is also called occlusion training. It sounds backwards, but working a muscle with the cuff on makes it tire fast, so you can get strength and size benefits with loads as low as about 20 percent of your one-rep max. In a typical gym, building muscle needs about 60 percent or more.
The cuff looks like a blood pressure cuff and is inflated to a pressure chosen for your needs. Researchers are still studying exactly why it works.
Who benefits from BFR therapy
It suits people who cannot lift heavy yet, and people who want more from their training.
Recovery
- After surgery on an arm or leg, including BFR after ACL surgery and BFR after knee replacement
- Tendon injuries, quad or hamstring tears
- IT band, patellofemoral and Achilles problems
- Rotator cuff, tennis and golfer's elbow
- ACL and meniscus injuries
- Non-union fractures
Performance
- Endurance athletes, about twice a week for muscle maintenance
- Powerlifters and Olympic lifters, many times a week without adding to heavy training load
- CrossFit athletes working on one weak lift
- Baseball and basketball players between games
A physical therapist sets the pressure
This is not a gym machine you set yourself. Your therapist chooses cuff pressure for you and watches the session. The cuff is applied at intervals during an exercise, and a typical move takes about eight minutes.
The device is a personalized tourniquet system that is listed with the FDA for BFR use. It feels tight on the limb, and the working muscle burns and tires quickly.
Safety screening before BFR
Before we use the cuff, your therapist asks about your health. Tell us if you have:
- A history of blood clots
- Vascular disease
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Pregnancy
Where BFR comes up
These pages name BFR as an option:
Cost, coverage and working with other treatments
If you want BFR physical therapy near me in Chubbuck or Pocatello, call us. It can sit next to electrical stimulation, which also helps wake up weak muscle. It builds strength with lighter loads, and it is one part of a rehab plan.
Call us and we will explain what your plan covers for BFR before you begin.
Idaho allows direct access to physical therapy, so you do not need a referral from a doctor to begin. Some insurance plans, and Medicare typically, may still require one. If you are unsure, call us and we will check your plan.
We accept most insurance plans and verify your benefits before you arrive. Auto injury liens, Medpay and workers compensation are accepted, and there is a self-pay option. Call the office to confirm your plan.
Related care
Blood flow restriction training in Chubbuck, Idaho
Call or request an appointment at our Chubbuck clinic. We see patients from Chubbuck, Pocatello and the surrounding area.
We see patients at our Chubbuck clinic from Chubbuck and Pocatello, Idaho.