KAATSU Ankle Sprain Protocol

For who? Baby Boomers, retirees, student-athletes
For what? Strength, stamina, functional movement, mobility, flexibility, recovery


























When young athletes or older individuals sprain their ankle, whether they are a high school varsity player or an aging Baby Boomer, an NBA athlete or a military veteran, the standard KAATSU Ankle Sprain protocol is as follows:

1. Do KAATSU Cycle twice a day (e.g., mid-morning and late afternoon) on the injured leg for optimal (fastest) results.
2. Start off with the first KAATSU Cycle (running a total of 3 minutes 20 seconds) at a low (conservative) Base SKU and Optimal SKU pressures (e.g., 20 SKU and 200 SKU respectively on the KAATSU Nano*).
3. Continue with a second KAATSU Cycle at a higher Base SKU** and higher Optimal SKU (e.g., 25 SKU and 250 SKU).
4. Continue with a third KAATSU Cycle at a higher Optimal SKU (e.g., 300 SKU).
5. Continue with a fourth KAATSU Cycle at a higher Optimal SKU (e.g., 350 SKU) if the individual remains comfortable and the Capillary Refill Time (CRT) remains under 3 seconds.
6. Continue with a fifth KAATSU Cycle at a higher Optimal SKU (e.g., 400 SKU) if the individual remains comfortable and the CRT remains under 3 seconds.
7. Finish off the KAATSU session by doing the KAATSU Cycle also on the other three healthy limbs, if time permits.

8. As the individual improves and recovers, continue the KAATSU Cycle on a weekly basis for maintenance and other benefits.

Additional recommendations:

1. The individual should be well-hydrated before and during KAATSU for maximum benefit.
2. The individual should sit comfortably while doing the KAATSU Cycle. Alternatively, they can repeatedly contract and relax their quadriceps during the KAATSU Cycle on the 2nd - 5th KAATSU Cycles.
3. Frequently check their CRT as the Optimal SKU increases on the 2nd to 5th KAATSU Cycles by firmly pressing a thumb in their quadriceps above the patella (or down by the ankles if they are wearing longer pants).
4. The goal is to first warm-up the small capillaries in the lower leg with the lower Base SKU and lower Optimal SKU levels and then engorge the capillaries in the leg with blood (“pooling”) with increasingly higher pressures while doing slight movement.**
5. KAATSU can be done in combination with any other physical therapy treatments.
6. Ideally, the KAATSU Air Band should first be placed only on the injured limb. Then the individual can continue KAATSU on both legs and also subsequently on their arms (e.g., by doing the KAATSU 3-Point Exercises***).

* If you use the KAATSU Master, these same pressure levels would be a Base SKU of 40 and an Optimal SKU of 200. This is because the air compressors are larger on the KAATSU Master. Of course, use lower pressures as dictated by the individual’s physiological responses and conditions.

** When you change the Base SKU from a lower pressure to a higher pressure, you must manually re-adjust the KAATSU Air Bands on the limb.

*** The KAATSU 3-Point Exercises on the arms include a set of Hand Clenches + a set of Biceps Curls + a set of Triceps Extensions. The KAATSU 3-Point Exercises on the legs include a set of Heel Raises + a set of Leg Curls + a set of Non-lock Quarter Squats (note: in the case of non-ankle sprains).

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