July 2025 Newsletter
Unlocking Strength and Recovery: Blood Flow Restriction Training in Rehab and Fitness
If you’ve been to Dirigo, you may have seen patients working with bands or cuffs around their arms or legs while lifting light weights. This isn’t a new fitness trend—it’s a powerful tool called Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training, and we offer it as part of both our physical therapy and personal training services.
What Is Blood Flow Restriction Training?
“BFR training involves applying a specialized cuff to partially restrict blood flow to a limb during low-load resistance exercise. This creates a hypoxic environment that stimulates muscle growth, strength, and endurance similar to high-load training, making it ideal in rehab when heavier loads aren't safe or appropriate. BFR can accelerate recovery by promoting neuromuscular adaptations while minimizing joint stress.” -Lloyd Beckett, Owner/Founder of Dirigo Physical Therapy & Performance
Why We Use BFR in Physical Therapy:
One of the biggest challenges in rehab is helping patients maintain or regain muscle strength when they can’t tolerate high resistance or impact. This is where BFR shines. It allows patients to:
Stimulate muscle growth with weights as low as 20–30% of their one-rep max
Reduce stress on joints and healing tissues to accelerate recovery
Maintain muscle mass during periods of immobility
BFR is especially beneficial for clients recovering from:
ACL, meniscus, rotator cuff, or other surgeries
Fractures or joint replacements
Chronic joint pain or arthritis
BFR in a Personal Training Setting
BFR isn’t just for rehab—it’s a powerful tool for fitness too. For healthy clients, we use BFR to:
Break through strength plateaus
Build muscle with less wear and tear
Enhance training variety and challenge
Whether you're an athlete returning from injury or someone looking to maximize results without heavy lifting, BFR can be a game-changer.
What to Expect During a Session
During a BFR session, your therapist or trainer will place cuffs around your upper arms or legs and inflate them to a personalized pressure. Then, you'll perform light resistance exercises—typically bodyweight or light dumbbells—for higher reps.
You might feel a significant muscle burn similar to high-intensity training, but with much lighter loads. Sessions are short, targeted, and efficient.
Is BFR Right for You?
BFR is supported by over 20 years of research and is used by professional sports teams, military rehab programs, and top orthopedic clinics. But it’s not for everyone.
We carefully screen each patient for contraindications and use clinical-grade BFR equipment to ensure safety and effectiveness. We’ll determine if BFR is a good fit based on your goals, health history, and current condition. As always, your safety and long-term progress are our top priorities.
Ready to Try BFR?
If you're interested in learning more about how blood flow restriction training could benefit your rehab or fitness goals, contact us today! Whether you're recovering from an injury or looking to optimize your training, we’ll help you move forward—stronger than ever.
