Blood Flow Restriction Rehabilitation (BFR) is a paradigm shifting intervention for the rehabilitation professional with over 160 peer-reviewed articles in the scientific literature. By applying a tourniquet briefly and intermittently to an exercising limb you can induce significant and substantial strength, hypertrophy and endurance changes while using a very light load. 

The exact mechanism behind the positive results seen with PBFR is still being extensively researched. Theories range from a significant build-up of metabolites by anaerobic metabolism, a systemic anabolic response, and cellular swelling. It is most likely a combination of multiple factors. It does appear that muscle protein synthesis plays a significant role after PBFR as this has been consistently demonstrated in the literature.

Clinically it has been applied to many diagnoses with very positive results including but not limited to total joint arthroplasties, Achilles tendon repairs, fractures, rotator cuff repairs, muscle strains, nerve injuries, post-operative cartilage arthroscopies and reconstructions, and tendinopathies. (owensrecoveryscience.com)