KAATSU Plantar Fasciitis Protocols

For who? Individuals with plantar fasciitis or heel pain
For what? Pain relief, functional movement, mobility, balance

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain that is caused by inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects your heel bone to your toes.

Most people who have plantar fasciitis recover in several months with treatment that includes resting, icing the painful area, and stretching along with taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) that can ease the pain and inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis. Stretching and strengthening exercises or using special devices may relieve symptoms.

KAATSU users have an additional modality and tool to use if they do a series of exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon and to strengthen lower leg muscles.

KAATSU Plantar Fasciitis Protocols: 1. Always start with the KAATSU Cycle mode, following the Progressive KAATSU Cycle protocols (i.e., start with low pressures and then gradually increase to high(er) pressures - even if you do not "feel" anything).
2. Always be well-hydrated before and while doing KAATSU KAATSU Cycle sets.
3. Always start KAATSU Cycle sets on your arms, then do KAATSU Cycle sets your legs.
4. Always have good KAATSU color while doing KAATSU Cycle sets (i.e., have a pinker or redder skin color).
5. Always feel comfortable doing KAATSU; never feel uncomfortable or lightheaded. If you feel uncomfortable or lightheaded at any time, immediately remove the bands.
6. Always start off with conservative pressure and gradually increase.
7. Always feel free to do simple movements during KAATSU; you do not have to do intense or vigorous exercises.
8. You can incorporate KAATSU into your standard physical therapy exercises and movements.
9. You can do up to 6 KAATSU Cycle sets on both your upper and lower limbs during each session.
10. You can do 1-3 KAATSU sessions per day as your time permits.
11. You can do either Single-Limb KAATSU Cycle sets on only one leg - or Standard KAATSU Cycle sets on both legs. That is, you can focus on only one leg at a time if your plantar fasciitis is painful on one side only.
12. Always start conservatively with KAATSU: either with low pressure or only 1 KAATSU Cycle set per day.
13. You can gradually increase the number of KAATSU Cycle sets over the course of several days or weeks.
14. You can do various kinds of movements - or no movement at all while you are sitting down or studying or working.
15. You can do Standard KAATSU 3-Point Exercises on your arms (e.g., Hand Clenches, Biceps Curls, Triceps Extensions) or other movements (e.g., Foot Rotations, Balancing on One Foot, Stretching, Walking, Standing Up and Sitting Down) with your KAATSU equipment.
16. Be patient and do KAATSU Cycles regularly and consistently.

For Pain Relief:
* Do 3-6 KAATSU Cycle sets with the KAATSU Air Bands on one or both legs while you are sitting.
* You can also do 3-6 KAATSU Cycles while doing KAATSU Aqua exercise or stretching gentle.
* Some people very gently roll the bottom of their foot with a golf ball while they are doing the KAATSU Cycle sets for additional relief.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

KAATSU at the 36th World Congress of Sports Medicine in Athens, Greece

The 36th World Congress of Sports Medicine is currently being held on September 23rd - 26th in Athens, Greece and includes presentations on KAATSU, the pioneer of BFR therapy.

The Congress, organized by the International Federation of Sports Medicine / Fédération Internationale de Médécine du Sport (FIMS), may be watched virtually via www.fims2020.com.

Under the motto of Sports Medicine promotes active lifestyle, the focus will be on genetics, molecular biology, sports, and wearable technologies, including KAATSU Global products. Presentations on anti-doping, sports medicine advances in obesity and diabetes treatment, nutrition, metabolism and exercise, sports cardiology, KAATSU, and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic are scheduled.

On Saturday, September 25th, Chairpersons James Bilzon of the University of Bath and Professor Yannis Pitsiladis of the University of Brighton will oversee the following presentations:

● Professor Borja Muñiz-Pardos of the University of Zaragoza: KAATSU, the past, present and future of blood flow restriction (BFR)
● Dr Ifigeneia Giannopoulou of the University of Brighton: KAATSU: an alternative form of exercise training for elite athletes, the military, the elderly, and the general population
● Mike Miller, CEO of the World Olympians Association: World Olympian Health Study

“After inventing KAATSU Constant in 1966 and the KAATSU Cycle principles in 1973 in Japan, we have launched decades of academic research. I am humbled that Doctors Pitsiladis, Muñiz-Pardos, and Giannopoulou from the University of Brighton are presenting KAATSU at this prestigious conference to the world's leaders in sports medicine,” said Dr. Yoshiaki Sato, the inventor of KAATSU.

Retired U.S. Navy SEAL Captain John Doolittle explains, "We were able to meet the professors and explain KAATSU first-hand before the pandemic hit last year. Then, under the direction of Professor Pitsiladis, they used and tested the KAATSU equipment - as did Mike Miller of the World Olympians Association, and dozens of active and retired Olympians throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. They understood the mechanism, applications, and the future potential for KAATSU while we were quarantined during the pandemic. 11 KAATSU users stood on the awards podium at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics & Paralympic Games which was great to see.

Concurrently, we are widely expanding its use with the U.S. military and our fastest growing demographic: women and men over the age of 50. The future of expanding KAATSU to many more athletes and people of all demographic groups around the world is very bright."

For more information, visit www.fims2020.com.

About Professor Yannis Pitsiladis
Yannis Pitsiladis is a professor in the Centre for Stress and Age-Related Disease at the University of Brighton. He is a member of the International Paralympic Committee Scientific Awards Committee and Scientific and Education Commission, the International Olympic Committee Medical and Scientific Commission, International Olympic Committee Medical Commission, and the International Sports Medicine Federation chairperson of the Scientific Commission.

About Borja Muñiz-Pardos, PhD
Borja Muñiz-Pardos, PhD is a senior research fellow at the FIMS Collaborating Centre of Sports Medicine at the University of Zaragoza in Spain. His research centers on human performance with a focus on sports integrity and the investigation of ergogenic aids such as sports drinks, brain stimulation, altitude training, doping with erythropoietin, blood-flow restriction training and wearable technologies. His research on the physiological and metabolic responses of blood-flow restriction training and its effectiveness as a training and rehabilitation modality is conducted in partnership with the World Olympians Association.

About Ifigeneia Giannopoulou
Ifigeneia Giannopoulou, PhD is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Brighton. She was a Lecturer in Applied Physiology at Strathclyde University and a Lecturer in Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition at the University of Athens. Her research is focused on the effects of exercise and diet on health, specifically on abdominal obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation and on clinical populations such as obese individuals, type 2 diabetes patients, and peri- and post-menopausal women.

About Mike Miller
Mike Miller is the first Chief Executive Officer of the World Olympians Association, a group of over 100,000 retired Summer and Winter Olympic athletes who promote the Olympic ideals, educate against doping and drug use, and serve as positive role models. He was the former Chief Executive Officer of the International Rugby Board, overseeing 3 highly successful Rugby World Cups. He also served as the Head of Sports at Channel 4 UK and the Controller of Television Sport at the BBC, and as a member of the European Broadcasting Union Sports Group Executive Bureau. He sits on the Advisory Board of the World Academy of Sport.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Are You A Warrior Or A Romantic?

For who? Work-at-home employees, student-athletes, tactical athletes
For what? Functional movement, strength, flexibility, mobility, KAATSU At Home



A U.S. Navy SEAL with 26 years of service, William Branum is the founder of Naked Warrior Recovery and a KAATSU Master Specialist in Honolulu, Hawaii.

He asks a simple question, "Are you a Warrior? Or are you a Romantic?"

His answer, "You can be both...but you need to know the difference between the two. A warrior is someone who has a goal...has a mission. Their purpose is to complete that mission: Planning, Preparation, Execution.

A Romantic is someone who ONLY dreams about a goal or a mission, but never takes action. Be a warrior!"

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

KAATSU Cycle and KAATSU Constant to Enhance Your Game of Golf

For who? Baby Boomers, retirees or athletes who enjoy golfing
For what? Improve your golf game by increasing your strength, mobility, flexibility, and stamina

The myriad skills used in golf are complex and can be improved with KAATSU.

KAATSU modalities can be used by golfers to improve their strength, mobility, flexibility, and stamina.

The strength in your lower body, core, upper body, and hand grip can be enhanced with a combination of the KAATSU Cycle and the KAATSU Constant modes. Your posture and swings for drive shots, iron shots, pitch shots, chip shots, and putts can also be enhanced with a combination of the KAATSU Cycle and the KAATSU Constant modes.

Former Japanese golf professional Teruo Sugihara was one of the first professional golfers to transform his career later in life by incorporating KAATSU into his training - which is especially remarkable because he first had to recover from prostate cancer in 1997, using KAATSU daily. By 2006 at age 68, he became the oldest player to make the cut in a top-tier Japanese tour event.

His final Japan Golf Tour appearance came at the 2010 Mizuno Open in Nishonomiya, Japan. This same year, he co-authored a book called KAATSU Golf with KAATSU inventor Dr. Yoshiaki Sato.

There are many valuable lessons in his innovative use of KAATSU that he has shared with golfers of any age, but especially with older golfers and those who are recovering from cancer.

Sugihara-san used KAATSU to improve his overall health and his golf game specifically. His book written in Japanese, called KAATSU Golf, describes how he used KAATSU to:

* strengthen his upper body
* improve his swing
* enhance his mobility during his swing
* increase his grip strength
* improve his leg strength with squats and practice swings
* enhance his overall strength and club head speed

Young or older golfers can use the combination of KAATSU Cycles and KAATSU Constant with the following protocols:

1. Always start with the KAATSU Cycle mode, following the Progressive KAATSU Cycle protocols (i.e., start with low pressures and then gradually increase to high(er) pressures - even if you do not "feel" anything). Then go to the KAATSU Constant mode.
2. Always be well-hydrated before and while doing KAATSU KAATSU Cycles and KAATSU Constant.
3. Always start KAATSU on your arms, then do KAATSU your legs.
4. Always have good KAATSU color while doing KAATSU Cycle sets (i.e., have a pinker or redder skin color).
5. Always feel comfortable doing KAATSU; never feel uncomfortable or lightheaded. If you feel uncomfortable or lightheaded at any time, immediately remove the bands.
6. Always start off with conservative pressure and gradually increase.
7. Always feel free to do simple movements during KAATSU; you do not have to do intense or vigorous exercises.
8. You can incorporate KAATSU into your standard golf practice and exercises.
9. You can do up to 6 KAATSU Cycle sets on both your upper and lower limbs during each session.
10. You can do 1-3 KAATSU sessions per day as your time permits.
11. You can do either Single-Limb KAATSU Cycle sets on only one leg or arm - or Standard KAATSU Cycle sets on both limbs. That is, you can focus on only one limb at a time if you wish or if you are feeling discomfort or pain on one side only.
12. Always start conservatively with KAATSU: either with low pressure or only 1 KAATSU Cycle set per day.
13. You can gradually increase the number of KAATSU Cycle sets over the course of several days or weeks.
14. You can do various kinds of movements - or no movement at all while you are sitting down and waiting to get on the course or range.
15. In addition to doing KAATSU Constant with your golf club in your hands, you can also do simple Standard KAATSU 3-Point Exercises (e.g., Hand Clenches, Biceps Curls, Triceps Extensions) or other movements (e.g., Head or Foot Rotations, Balancing on One Foot, Stretching, Walking, Standing Up and Sitting Down, Handwriting) with your KAATSU equipment.
16. For exercises, you can begin with the KAATSU Cycle mode. For focus on putts, drives and chip shots, you can use the KAATSU Constant mode.

For Grip and Upper Body Strength:
* Do 1-3 KAATSU Cycle sets with KAATSU Air Bands on your arms while you are repeatedly squeezing a squeeze ball or tennis ball or your clubs.
* Do Standard KAATSU 3-Point Exercises with KAATSU Air Bands on your arms (e.g., Hand Clenches, Biceps Curls, Triceps Extensions) while doing 3-6 KAATSU Cycle sets with the KAATSU Air Bands on your arms.
* Do KAATSU Stretching on your upper body while doing KAATSU Cycle sets.

For Core and Lower Back Strength:
* Do 3-6 KAATSU Cycle sets with the KAATSU Air Bands on your legs while you are walking, gently swinging your clubs, alternately twisting left and right at your waist.
* Do Standard KAATSU 3-Point Exercises with KAATSU Air Bands on your legs (e.g., Heel Raises, Non-lock Quarter Squats, Standing Hamstring Curls).
* Do KAATSU Stretching with your lower body while doing KAATSU Cycle sets.
* Sit up straight in chair and repeatedly stretch your arms and hands upwards in a long, slow stretch.
* Balance on one of your feet until failure - and then repeat on your other leg. Repeat that sequence until exhaustion.
* Balance on one foot while moving water bottles in your hand or do KAATSU Walking while balancing a book on your head.

For Stamina:
* Do comfortable KAATSU Walking, either in the KAATSU Cycle or KAATSU Constant mode on level ground, on the sand, or on a treadmill for up to 15 minutes.
* Do comfortable KAATSU Cycling, either in the KAATSU Cycle or KAATSU Constant mode on a stationary or recumbent bicycle for up to 15 minutes.

For Swings:
* After you have completed KAATSU Cycle sets, untether the connector tubes and do KAATSU Constant with the KAATSU Air Bands on your arms while you practice your drive shots, iron shots, pitch shots, chip shots, and putts.
* After you complete KAATSU Constant on your arms, continue with KAATSU Constant with the KAATSU Air Bands on your legs while you practice your drive shots, iron shots, pitch shots, chip shots, and putts. Arms are first; legs are last.

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Robert Griswold Wins His Second Gold Medal At The Tokyo Paralympics

Robert Griswold wins his second gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics in the S6 100m butterfly - 20 years after Dr. Sato's seminal presentation on the use of KAATSU for individuals with congenital cerebral palsy.

The 24-year-old American, originally from New Jersey, said, "I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to everyone who has helped me make this dream possible. Since I was a little boy, I have worked and sacrificed for this dream of representing my country at the highest level possible. The last few days have felt unreal and I have spent every free moment reflecting on this journey.

I am so touched by all of the messages and notes that I have received from so many and I just want to thank you for all the support I am only halfway through competition and I am excited to continue representing Team USA."

S6 100m Butterfly Final - Results:
Gold: Robert Griswold (USA) 1:02.03
Silver: Feng Yang (China) 1:03.20
Bronze: Denys Dubrov (Ukraine)1:03.23
4th: Guanglong Yang (China) 1:03.26
5th: Haijiao Xu (China) 1:03.42
6th: Alberto Amodeo (Italy) 1:04.31
7th: Luis Armando Andrade Guillen (Mexico) 1:04.55
8th: Gabriel Cristiano Silva de Souza (Brazil) 1:05.38

For American viewers, the race can be seen here.

   

 

At the 2001 KAATSU Training International Symposium in Tokyo, KAATSU inventor Dr. Yoshiaki Sato explained the innovative KAATSU Cycle protocols that he used with one of his patients, Mr. Kato who has congenital cerebral palsy [see photos above]. Both Dr. Sato and Mr. Kato impressed the audience with Mr. Kato's physiological improvements.

One of the few foreign participants in the Symposium was American Steven Munatones who had just begun to being mentored on KAATSU by Dr. Sato.

Dial forward to 2017 when Griswold called Munatones and asked about KAATSU. Griswold, similar to Mr. Kato, has congenital cerebral palsy in Tokyo. He was in the middle of training for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and wanted to start KAATSU in order to improve his strength, flexibility and mobility.

Griswold has been doing so ever since. Utilizing the patented KAATSU protocols created by Dr. Sato and first utilized by Mr. Kato, Griswold started to see significant improvements as he had hoped.

Griswold dreamed of standing on top of the awards podium in Tokyo and hearing his national anthem. He did that twice in Tokyo. 20 years after Mr. Kato had wowed the participants in the 2001 KAATSU Training International Symposium, Griswold similarly impressed with a world record setting performance to win the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

"Robert has always impressed me, both in and out of the water," remarked Steven Munatones.

Griswold's road to gold was a long time coming. "From a young age, I knew I was different when I was in the playground. But when I got in the swimming pool, I felt like everyone else. I was just six years old at the time and it was so much fun to be able to compete in a sport, something that I'd never had the opportunity to do before."

Griswold exudes positivity and goal-setting and is a role model for many. "Don't give up on yourself. Just because you're at a disadvantage doesn't mean you should look at yourself that way. My cerebral palsy affects my general coordination, walking, running, jumping. It also affects my hands a little bit and my fine motor skills.







































Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global

Roll On With KAATSU, The Fitness Fan That Erupted In Tokyo

Rich Roll writes, "We love to celebrate Olympians as superheroes. It’s important to remember they are human beings." In his podcast #619, Roll discusses various themes related to the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Author, commentator and conversationalist Adam Skolnick describes the new fitness fan that has erupted in Tokyo: KAATSU. Listen to their conversation from 1:28:41 when Skolnich talks about KAATSU and answer Roll's questions.



Copyright © 2014 - 2021 by KAATSU Global