Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Improving strength is a major component of physical rehab after an injury. But the injury itself often stands in the way of the muscle-building needed to recover.

What is BFR?

Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFR), sometimes called Tourniquet or Occlusion training, is a safe and effective method that helps physical therapy patients build muscle strength and reduce pain while putting less stress on the injured or weakened limb.

How Does BFR Work?

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy enables patients to make greater strength gains while lifting lighter loads, thereby reducing the overall stress placed on the limb. The patient receives the benefits of a high intensity metabolic environment to their muscles, without a heavy load or too much stress to tissues that may be healing from a recent injury or surgery.

During BFR therapy, a patient is fitted with a specially designed tourniquet that partially restricts venous blood flow but allows arterial blood flow to the extremity. This produces a systemic response by which the body channels energy to the larger muscle fibers.

At Scerbo, we offer state-of-the-art and research-supported conservative interventions with Blood Flow Restriction Therapy (BFR) with the Delfi Personalized Tourniquet System by Owens Recovery Science.

Additional physiological responses to blood flow restriction include:

Increased anabolic growth factors
Fast-twitch fiber recruitment
Muscle fiber synthesis
Heat shock proteins
Nitric oxide synthase
Decreased expression of myostatin

What is the desired result?

The most established benefit is adaptations in muscle quantity and quality. According to research, BFR can minimize loss of muscle mass, decrease bone healing time, and allow patients to improve both muscle size and strength.

Will I Benefit from BFR Therapy?

People of various ages and fitness levels can benefit from BFR therapy. It can be performed as part of a regular fitness routine, or to treat patients in the acute phase of rehabilitation following upper or lower extremity surgeries, including ACL Reconstruction, Meniscectomy, Hip/Knee Replacement, Rotator Cuff, and Tendon Repair. BFR is particularly suited for patients with Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteopenia, or Osteoporosis. Your Scerbo therapist will do an individual assessment to determine if BFR is right for you.

Is it Safe?

It is very important to be screened by a professional healthcare specialist. At Scerbo, you will be in the hands of a licensed therapist who is trained and experienced in using the BFR method, if appropriate, to safely meet your individual needs.

Your Goal. Our Misison.

Click the contact us button to book an appointment or to inquire about Blood Flow Restriction Therapy.

Our Physical Therapists

Dr. Frank J. Scerbo
Physical Therapist
Dr. Michael E. Pomykala
Physical Therapist
Dr. Adrian Lorenzo
Physical Therapist
Dr. Frankie Goris
Physical Therapist
Dr. Kyle McDonough
Physical Therapist
Dr. Nicole Lombardo
Physical Therapist