During Blood Flow Restriction Therapy, inflatable cuffs are applied to the upper portion of the arms and/or legs. These cuffs gently slow blood flow while still allowing circulation, creating a metabolic response in the muscles. Your therapist will screen for medical conditions where BFR isn’t appropriate (for example, certain vascular conditions or a history of clotting).

The pressure used is customized for each patient and prescribed by the BFR system to support safety and effectiveness. While wearing the cuffs, patients perform simple, low-load exercises under the supervision of a trained physical therapist.

This combination of light resistance and blood flow restriction produces a muscle response similar to high-intensity strength training. As a result, patients can achieve meaningful strength gains without placing excessive stress on healing tissues or joints.

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy helps address one of the most common challenges in rehabilitation, muscle loss due to limited activity after injury or surgery. Benefits may include:

• Improved muscle strength using low-load exercise
• Reduced muscle atrophy during periods of limited mobility
• Shorter rehabilitation timelines
• Enhanced recovery after surgery or injury
• Safe strength training when traditional resistance is not appropriate

BFR therapy may benefit patients recovering from a wide range of conditions, including:

• Knee ligament reconstruction
• Achilles tendon repair
• Fractures
• Knee cartilage repair
• Muscle strains
• Rotator cuff repair
• Severe musculoskeletal trauma
• Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis
• Total joint replacement

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy offers a safe, evidence-based option to rebuild strength and support recovery when traditional exercise is limited. When guided by ATI’s trained physical therapists, BFR can be a powerful tool to help patients return to movement with confidence.