Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training is a recovery technique that helps injured athletes enhance their performance and strengthen the recovering limb with less load and stress on the body.

Also known as occlusion training, BFR training safely prevents low-oxygen blood from leaving the muscle while allowing oxygenated blood to travel to that same muscle. This brings nutrition to the injured area and helps it grow stronger.

How does BFR work?

BFR training uses a specialized device, similar to a blood pressure cuff, to create a specified amount of pressure on the affected limb. Children’s Mercy uses Smart Tools Smart Cuffs, which are an FDA-listed medical device that contour to most sizes of arms and legs.

Unlike traditional physical therapy, BFR uses low-intensity resistance, which allows athletes to start the strengthening phase of rehabilitation earlier and under less stress to a particular region. Earlier rehabilitation means athletes can prevent a loss in muscle mass.

Our expert physical therapy team

Your athlete will work with Children's Mercy sports physical therapists, who have the required knowledge and skills to safely perform and monitor this type of therapeutic exercise. Our expertise includes:

• Advanced knowledge of muscular and vascular anatomy and exercise physiology.
• Personalized therapeutic exercise prescription for your athlete to help them maximize strength, hypertrophy (muscle growth) and endurance gains.
• Careful monitoring of your athlete’s vital signs and blood flow throughout the BFR therapy sessions.