KAATSU blog posts testimonials, protocols, case studies, techniques and ideas about KAATSU the Original BFR for recovery, rehabilitation, functional mobility and athletic performance. Statements included in this blog have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Romy Camargo enlisted in the United States Army in 1995 and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3.
His life took a turn during combat in Afghanistan on September 16th 2008 when his detachment was viciously ambushed. During the ambush, Romy sustained a gunshot wound to the back of the neck. The gunshot wound paralyzed him from the neck down.
Medic Steve Hill was able to stabilize him while his Team ODA 7115 prepped the battlefield to be medically airlifted out of the area.*
After Romy arrived at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, he was operated on to stabilize his neck as his C3 vertebra had been shattered and was extracted. His breathing was tied to a respirator and he was paralyzed from the shoulders down. He transferred to the James A. Haley VA hospital in Tampa, Florida where he was an inpatient for 18 months.
Romy still lives in Tampa where he not only continues to rehabilitate with the latest equipment and protocols, including KAATSU to help restore his muscle tone and improve his vascular elasticity, but also serve as the Administrative Director at the Stay In Step Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center.
The KAATSU Air Bands are placed on his arms while he uses the physical therapy equipment at Stay In Step. His skin color turns pink with solid red tones due to an engorgement of blood in his forearms and upper arm - and his muscle tone improves.
A hero for sure; Romy’s major awards and decorations include:
* Legion of Merit
* Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
* Purple Heart
* Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
* Army Commendation Medal
* Joint Service Achievement Medal
* Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
* Afghanistan Campaign Medal
* Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab
* Combat Infantry Badge
* Master Parachutist Badge
* Special Operations Combat Divers Badge
* Special Operations Combat Divers Supervisors Badge
For who? swimmers, athletes For what? Strength, stamina, functional movement, mobility, flexibility, recovery
KAATSU users focus on three primary areas.
KAATSU protocols differ slightly for each of these 3 areas:
1. Athletic Performance: to improve speed, stamina, strength, muscle size or change BMI.
2. Rehabilitation: use together with physical therapy for people with broken bones, torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles.
3. Recovery: used for jet lag, insomnia and recovery from vigorous workouts or intense competitions.
KAATSU Aqua can be used in multiple ways before, during and after a competitive aquatic competition (swim meet or water polo tournament):
Before the Competition
KAATSU Aqua and KAATSU Cycles are used in the off-season, pre-season, mid-season and championship season throughout the year. Prior to a championship competition, KAATSU Aqua and KAATSU Cycles are continued to be used during the taper phase in the days leading up to the competition and even during the actual competition.
While the total distance and cumulative intensity of hard pool and dryland training tapers off in the weeks and days before the competition, there are distinct benefits and advantages in continuing to use the KAATSU Aqua Bands.
Before and after each training session, KAATSU Aqua Bands can be used during stretching and to help prepare physiologically for their shortened taper workouts. 2-5 KAATSU Cycles before and after the workouts are recommended.
In the water, the KAATSU Aqua Bands are recommended for use while practicing starts, turns + breakouts as well as a few strong sprints.
En route to the Competition
KAATSU Cycles can be used on the (long) drive or flight to the competition. KAATSU Cycles on the arms - and especially on the legs - will help athletes (and coaches) relax on the night before the competition and during the morning of their races. The KAATSU Cycles can be done while simply sitting and relaxing or while doing easy stretching.
Preliminary Heats / Finals Usage
2-5 KAATSU Cycles on both the arms and the legs (done separately of course) can be done before getting in for warm-up or, preferably after the pool warm-up but before the first race.
In the case of 15-year-old competitive swimmer, Sean Doolittle, he performed the following KAATSU protocols during his championship meet in Florida:
* Traditional pool warm-up of 1500-2000 meters before each session
* 20 minutes before each race during the morning preliminary heats, he did 2 x KAATSU Cycles on his arms to warm-up using a Base SKU of 15 and an Optimal SKU of 150 (over a 7-minute period). He followed his KAATSU Arm Cycles with 2 x KAATSU Leg Cycles with a Base SKU of 20 and an Optimal SKU of 200 (over a 7-minute period) on the pool deck during his wait.
* After each preliminary race, he did a traditional easy swimming warm-down of ~600 meters.
* 15 minutes after his first race and warm-down and approximately 15 minutes before his second race of the day, he repeated the same KAATSU Cycle warm-up which also served as a warm-down from the previous race: 2 x KAATSU Arm Cycles with a Base SKU of 15 and an Optimal SKU of 150, followed by 2 x leg KAATSU Cycles with a Base SKU of 20 and an Optimal SKU of 200.
* He returned home and rested before the final events in the evening.
* For finals, he repeated the same KAATSU Cycle warm-up and warm-down protocols.
* Throughout the 4-day meet, he did several lifetime bests, dropping time in each of his races. His most significant performance was in the 200-meter butterfly which he swam his best time of 2:14.48, a decrease of almost 8 seconds from his previous lifetime best of 2:22.30.
Evening Usage
Even with a long warm-down after finals, he did 2-5 KAATSU Cycles on his arms and his legs (done separately) in the evening upon returning home. This use of evening KAATSU usage at one's home or in the hotel will help the athlete recover physiologically during a multi-day competition.
In the case of Sean, he came home at night and performed 3 x KAATSU Arm Cycles and 3 x KAATSU Leg Cycles while eating and watching TV.
Like many other athletes, his KAATSU Cycle pressures were higher in the evening session compared with his in-competition warm-up / warm-down KAATSU pressures: 3 x KAATSU Arm Cycles with a Base SKU of 18 and an Optimal SKU of 200 (over a 10-minute duration) followed by 3 x KAATSU L Cycles with a Base SKU of 25 and an Optimal SKU of 300 (over a 10-minute duration for 20 minutes total).
Similar Applications in Other Sports
These same protocols can be used before, during and after volleyball tournaments, tennis tournaments, basketball tournaments, football games, ice hockey games, water polo tournaments, ski competitions, track & fields meets, baseball games and workouts.
For who? brain injury survivors, Baby Boomers, retirees, student-athletes For what? functional movement, mobility, flexibility, recovery
After a steady recovery over a 3-week period where she is enjoying improved sleep patterns, improved muscle tone, more relaxation, significantly greater movement and mobility, and improved wound recovery, Tina did 5 KAATSU Cycles on her arms (with an Optimal SKU of 100 + 120 + 140 + 160 + 180) on Day 17.
After her upper body workout, Tina did 5 KAATSU Cycles on her legs (with an Optimal SKU of 150 + 170 + 190 + 200 + 201) while her caregiver Yuri helped her do a variety of exercises:
1. Yuri lifts her knee while Tina pushes forward against resistance to work on her quadricep and hamstring.
2. Yuri grabs against Tina's back while Tina pushes back to work on her back and neck muscles. It is important to help Tina gain more muscle and control her neck when she is moved.
3. Yuri rotates her ankles that helps her feet and calves feel better.
For who? Baby Boomers, retirees, student-athletes For what? mobility, flexibility, recovery
Danny Woodhead is one tough athlete. Small in stature for an NFL fullback, but huge in heart, the 33-year-old NFL running back has had his share of injuries including two separate torn ACLs experienced many years apart.
His first ACL surgery was in the early part of his professional career and he rehabilitated in the traditional manner. His latest ACL surgery occurred during early part of the 2016 season, but he returned to the field in unprecedented time. Steven Munatones recalls, "Danny started doing Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets on the KAATSU Master at his home, every day. This was in early October. I told him that by Thanksgiving in late November, he would be back. Both he and his wife didn't believe me at first, but when he sent a text with photos of his rehabbed leg before Thanksgiving, I could not help but smile."
His return was indeed quick - much quicker than expected under standard orthopedic protocols. He combined his physical therapy regimen with the standard KAATSU Cycle sets including doing a variety of isometic exercises during his rehabilitation from surgery. He sat on his couch at home watching NFL games during his recovery, simply and repeatedly contracting his thighs and hamstrings as the KAATSU Cycle mode was on. Three times per day: morning, afternoon and evening. The result was no muscle atrophy, a key benefit for a veteran player whose leg strength is off the charts.
Woodhead adhered to standard physical therapy, but also enhanced his recovery with the standard KAATSU rehabilitation:
* focusing on the KAATSU Cycle mode
* starting with low pressures and gradually building up to higher pressures
* combined physical therapy movements with the KAATSU Air Bands on
* doing conservative KAATSU Cycles within an hour of going to bed
* also combining isometric exercises while at home in the KAATSU Cycle mode
* gradually increasing the intensity and range of motion
* start with KAATSU Cycles on your arms, and then move to your legs
* you can also do KAATSU Cycles only on your injured leg (i.e., Single-limb KAATSU)
Fundamentally, KAATSU is separated into different protocols in each of the following 3 areas:
1. Athletic Performance
2. Rehabilitation
3. Recovery and Wellness
Athletic Performance: KAATSU is used in slightly different ways to improve speed, stamina, strength, muscle size or BMI.
Rehabilitation: KAATSU is used to enhance traditional physical therapy for people with broken bones, or torn ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These protocols are specific with different applications of pressure.
Recovery: KAATSU is also used for recovery from injuries and the effects of sedentary living.
KAATSU Arm Protocols
›› Even for post-ACL surgery recovery, start KAATSU Cycles on your arms first.
›› Do KAATSU Cycles starting at lower pressures and building up to higher pressures.
•• Your Base SKU can vary between 10 - 30 SKU depending on your age and physical condition (i.e., placing 1-2 fingers between your limb and the KAATSU Air Bands). In general, the younger and more fit you are, the higher your pressures. But everyone differs.
›› Stretch your arms or upper body, do isometric exercises, and/or do 3 sets of the KAATSU 3-Point Arm Exercises (i.e., 3 sets of Hand Clenches + 3 sets of Biceps Curls + 3 sets of Triceps Extensions) during the KAATSU Cycle mode.
•• Rest while there is the KAATSU Air Bands are deflated.
•• Move while the KAATSU Air Bands are inflated.
Specific Post-ACL Surgery Protocols
›› Do muscle contractions of your quadriceps and calves, stretch, and/or perform simple physical therapy movements (in combination with resistance bands or other equipment that is requested by therapist during the KAATSU Cycle.
•• Higher SKU levels are usually tolerable on your legs compared to your arms in most cases.
›› Do specific physical therapy movements, stretch, and/or the KAATSU 3-Point Leg Exercises:
Simple: 3 sets each of Toe Curls + Toe Raises + Sitting Heel Raises
Moderate (after the body begins to heal and such movements become possible): 3 sets each of Balancing on one leg + casual walking
Advanced (after the body begins to heal and such movements become possible): 3 sets each of Standing Heel Raises + Standing Leg Curls + Non-lock (partial extension) Quarter Squats
** Note: KAATSU Air Bands are waterproof and any kind of aqua-therapy movements can also be done in the water or on an AlterG treadmill. However, do not take the KAATSU Cycle 2.0 or KAATSU C3 or KAATSU B1 devices in the water.
How to Wear
›› Place the KAATSU Air Bands on your upper arms, above your biceps, and below your deltoids near your armpits. Your KAATSU Air Bands should be placed snugly so your finger cannot be easily slipped under the bands when it is against your skin.
›› The palms of your hands should start turning pink or even a redness right away. Your KAATSU Air Bands are on too tightly if the hands turn white, gray and blue or you feel numbness.
›› If the KAATSU Air Bands are on too tightly, your Capillary Refill Time (CRT) will be longer than 3 seconds. In this case, loosen the KAATSU Air Bands on your arms.
›› To check your CRT, firmly press your thumb into the palms of both hands and release. The temporary white spot on your palms should quickly fill back with blood and turn pink (or red). You can do this anywhere on your legs, but preferably on your quadriceps above your knee on your legs, when you are checking your CRT on your legs.
›› Place the deflated KAATSU Air Bands around the upper legs, right by your groin (i.e., under mens's briefs or a woman's swimsuit are worn).
›› Start with the appropriate KAATSU Cycle level depending on your age and physical condition (10 - 30 SKU).
General Guidelines
›› Do 3-4 sets of each exercise, stretch, and/or physical therapy exercises. Then, continue with the next 3 sets with a different exercise, stretche, or movement.
›› For rehabilitation and recovery, movements should be performed slowly, steadily and non-stop (e.g., do not lock knees on squats).
›› For athletic performance, movements should be performed at desired pace or speed in a game, set or match. This is called KAATSU Performance Training.
›› After 3-4 sets of a specific exercise, stretch or movement, then move onto another type of exercise, stretch or movement. Note: If you are working on your legs, do 3-4 sets on one leg and then 3-4 sets on the other leg.
›› Keep rest short between sets and between exercises. That is, rest 20 seconds maximum between sets of 3 or 60 seconds maximum between different exercises. Modify as necessary.
›› Select exercises, therapeutic movements or resistance loads that allow performance of a good number of repetitions (e.g., 30- 40 in the first set, 20-30 in the second set, fewer than 15 in the third set, fewer than 10 in the fourth set).
›› Reach maximum effort (or go to muscular failure or technical failure) within each set.
›› Always remain well hydrated before and during the entire KAATSU session.
›› Always start with standard KAATSU Cycel (i.e., 8 cycles of 30 seconds of pressure followed by 5 seconds of pressure off with sequentially
increasing pressure).
›› Always conduct movements with a good range of motion. However, if you feel any pain or uncomfortable sensation, restrict your range of motion so there is no pain or uncomfortableness. That is, never push your joints or limbs to the point of pain.
›› Always follow KAATSU protocols (i.e., have Capillary Refill Time within 3 seconds with no occlusion or lightheadedness, and no paleness or no numbness in limbs).
›› Immediately release and remove KAATSU Air Bands if there is any numbness or lightheadedness, or the skin color becomes pale or white. Lie down with the legs elevated if necessary.
›› First start KAATSU on your arms and then proceed to do KAATSU on your legs.
›› Never simultaneously put on or use the KAATSU Air Bands on your arms and legs.
›› Limit KAATSU to 15 minutes on your arms and 20 minutes on your legs.
›› Frequently check your CRT (i.e., Capillary Refill Time). Confirm that the color of your limbs remains either pink or beefy red.
›› Your veins may become distended (i.e., popping out) during KAATSU.
›› You may feel a slight tingling in your fingers or toes during KAATSU.
›› KAATSU should be implemented with the understanding of your physician.
For who? brain injury survivors, Baby Boomers, retirees, car accident victims For what? recovery
Photos above show car wreckage and Tina's x-ray of during swallow test.
Tina is a 47-year-old car accident survivor with traumatic brain injury (3 on the Glasgow Coma Scale) who has been quadriplegic for over 12 years.
After several weeks of KAATSU Cycles performed daily on her arms and legs, Tina, her family and her caregivers say the following:
1. Tina has eliminated her hyperbaric chamber dives.
2. Tina has eliminated her home visit physical therapy sessions.
3. Tina has rapidly improved her wound healing so the home health care nurse visits every other day, not every day like before.
4. She sleeps 8 hours through the night instead of waking up hourly as she always had to benefit her and her 24/7 care givers.
5. She feels warm now throughout the day. Previously she always felt cold.
6. Her spasmodic episodes are significantly reduced and her pain and discomfort levels are reduced.
7. She can do KAATSU full body pandiculations (stretches). This has enabled her body to begin less stiff and more flexible and easier to carry and move. This greatly benefits her 24/7 care givers and helps reduce the pain they feel in their own backs and shoulders.
8. She can move her feet and stretch her legs.
9. She can move her arms and is working towards feeding herself and using an icing bag to decorate cakes (her previous profession).
10. She looks forward to sharing her story with others in similar situations.
Day 0 on May 21st in Long Beach, California
Linda learned about KAATSU after watching Tap Nixon, a 74-year-old man, improve with KAATSU Cycle. For the past 12 years Delmar has been on the side of her younger sister, Tina, in the hospital, care facilities and finally home. A hit-and-run accident left Tina a quadriplegic when she was 35 years old [see wreck above].
Tina, a 47-year-old cake designer and decorator, survived a car accident in 2006 [3 on the Glasgow Coma Scale]. Linda explained that Tina experienced “internal decapitation” (medically known as an atlanto-occipital dislocation; atlas is the name of the topmost vertebral bone of the spine; the occipital bone forms the lower part of the back of the skull).
During the first six years after the accident, Tina lived in care facilities and breathed through a ventilator and tracheostomy tube. For the past six years, she has lived at home with Linda with 24/7 caregivers and therapists at her side 365 days a year.
Tina is mentally alert, very attentive, laughs, smiles, acknowledges conversations around her with expressive eyes. She speaks very softly.
After a KAATSU demonstration by the KAATSU Specialist, Linda became excited to try KAATSU Cycle on her own arms to see how it would feel on her sister. The KAATSU Specialist applied one KAATSU Air Band on her arms that quickly became pink with the resultant blood engorgement.
Linda started to move in an easy, rhythmic manner as she is a hula dancer. After a few minutes, Linda stated that she was feeling the burn and started sweating as if she was working out harder than she was. Tina listened intently to the explanation and carefully observed the demonstration.
The KAATSU Specialist asked Tina if she wanted to try. She said yes with a sparkle in her eye. Linda was asked if she could put the bands on Tina, but Tina said, “No...you” with her eyes focused on the KAATSU Specialist. The KAATSU Specialist placed a pink band on her right arm, her good arm that was less spastic than her left arm. Both hands remained in the clenched position and angled towards her torso.
The pink band was placed with a very, very light Base SKU (under 10 SKU). Tina confirmed that she felt comfortable with the band on her upper arm. Tina had previously mentioned that she wanted improved muscle tone.
The KAATSU Cycle mode was selected and an Optimal SKU pressure of 100 was selected (on the scale of 0-400 SKU on the KAATSU Nano device). Within seconds of the air being compressed into the pink band, Tina's skin tone almost immediately became a light pink color, obviously a shade darker than her normal skin tone. Her eyes glistened as she concurrently focused on the additional pressure she felt on her arms.
She proceeded to 3 KAATSU Cycles (3 minutes 20 seconds per Cycle): the first at 100 SKU, the second at 120 SKU, the third at 140 SKU as she verbally confirmed her consent.
The band was then removed after the 10 minutes of KAATSU.
The KAATSU Specialist asked her to try and move her hand. She was able to ever so slightly move her right hand. Linda and Yuri, her caregiver, appeared to be pleasantly surprised.
She was asked to attempt moving her right hand again. She moved her hand again with a slightly greater range of motion on the second attempt, but these movements clearly required significant effort and concentration on her part.
Linda took videos of the session as Tina and the KAATSU Specialist were focused and constantly sharing feedback about the sensations she felt, the resultant movements and skin color. It would have a great opportunity to place a Masimo MightySat Finger Pulse Oximeter on her finger to check her physiological data on the next-generation KAATSU Master 2.0, but her hands were constantly clenched in a spastic paralysis.
Then Tina said, “I feel warm” as her arm remained a slightly pink color.
The session ended as Tina agreed to meet the following day.
The KAATSU Specialist Steven Munatones remarked on what he just observed, "I felt all the years of listening and learning from [KAATSU inventor] Dr. Sato were all worth the effort - even for this one spectacular moment in a bedroom in Long Beach, California with a car accident and Traumatic Brain Injury survivor, her sister and her caregiver."
Day 2 on May 23rd in Long Beach, California
Yuri, the caregiver, said Tina slept very well - and snored loudly - after the KAATSU session on the previous day. This morning, she did not feel sore and felt good. Tina was excited and at considerable ease on the second day.
Caregiver Yuri placed two pink KAATSU Air Bands on her left and right arms. Tina agreed as the goal is to get the entire network of family members, therapists and caregivers certified as KAATSU Specialists so they are very confident and competent in applying and doing KAATSU by themselves.
Tina did 4 KAATSU Cycles at increasing Optimal SKU levels on both arms, starting at 100 SKU (i.e., 100 SKU on the first Cycle, 110 SKU on the second Cycle, 120 on the third Cycle, 140 SKU on the fourth Cycle). Her Base SKU was still low (i.e., under 10 SKU).
By the second KAATSU Cycle, both her arms had achieved a pink color, including around the scar tissue that is around a very long scar on her upper arm. Linda said, “I have never seen her scar get pink."
On the third KAATSU Cycle, Tina independently tried to move her hands. She concentrated deeply, squinted her eyes, and moved both hands at approximately 45°. Everyone smiled. Then, without prompting, Tina started to move her left arm. She closed her eyes and with a furrowed brow, she held her breath. Unbelievably, she did a complete bicep curl.
Linda was shocked and said, “In 12 years I have never seen her move her left arm straight up and as far as that. If she tries to move her left arm it takes tremendous effort and I can see her “thinking” about trying to move it. Before this moment, she has had to essentially move her whole right side to get a little movement from the left. Her brain stem injury precludes her from moving without ‘thinking about it’ as we do.
Tina, do that again!”
Again, Tina closed her eyes and her entire body shook as she attempted to move her left arm again. She was literally willing her arm up again as she held her breath. When she completed her second arm curl, it was clear that she was physically spent. She gave it everything she could as her body seemed to sink into her bed.
She finished her upper body workout with one more KAATSU Cycle. Then the arm bands were removed.
Yuri took Tina’s right hand and easily opened her fingers. Yuri had tried to open her clenched hand on Day One, but Tina did not want to do it because it hurt.
With the success of opening her right hand, Yuri took Tina’s left hand and did the same. Linda said, “In the past five years, Tina has had almost 200 hyperbaric oxygen session which opened her left hand so it didn’t dig into her palm. Today her hand opened even further with less effort.”
Tina was beaming with pride - and exhaustion - as she smiled in a supine position on her bed.
The KAATSU Specialist was getting ready to go, but then Tina whispered softly, “Legs?”
Yuri put the KAATSU Air Bands on her right leg with a very low Base SKU. Her left leg has a bacteria infection and bandage so it was decided to only focus on her right leg. The KAATSU Cycle mode was changed to LEG with an Optimal SKU of 100. Tina proceeded to 3 KAATSU Cycles at that pressure.
After the third KAATSU Cycle on her right leg, the band was removed. This time, Linda asked Tina if she could move her legs. She turned her feet very slightly inward, perhaps 5-10°. “Wow!” was the collective expression as everyone smiled.
Linda joked that Tina was really going to snore loudly on her post-KAATSU nap.
Day 3 on May 24th in Long Beach, California
KAATSU Master Specialist David Tawil of New York visited Tina for her third consecutive KAATSU session.
But Tina just had experienced a total body spastic episode and was very uncomfortable. She also felt cold. Her caregiver had just finished giving her a massage, but it was clear that Tina was still in distress.
David asked her if she wanted to do KAATSU. "I would not have been surprised if she declined," Tawil said later. But Tina wanted to do KAATSU and proceeded to do 4 KAATSU Cycles at 100 SKU + 110 SKU + 120 SKU + 120 SKU pressure on both her arms. Without prompting, Tina suddenly did 10 consecutive biceps curls on her right arm as she moved her hands from near her waist upwards to her shoulders. She then focused on her weaker left arm and proceeded to do 6 consecutive biceps curls with her left arm in the supine position. Her improvement was remarkable the way she moved her arms and hands on her third KAATSU session of less than 15 minutes.
Tina clearly put in a tremendous effort into each of these movements of her left and right arms.
Tina then expressed an interest to eat for herself and then attempted to open her left hand by herself. She was not able to do anything but move very slightly one finger, but her attempt was admirable.
A pink KAATSU Air Band was then placed on her right leg and 2 KAATSU Cycles were performed (20 seconds of applied pressure followed by 5 seconds of release repeated 16 times). She then proceeded to move her toes inward.
Day 4 on May 25th in Long Beach, California
Tina repeated her KAATSU session on both arms and her right leg...ready for the following week.
"Our goal is to teach the standard KAATSU protocols to Tina’s sister Linda, her caregivers, and therapists over the next week so they all can work with Tina according to their own time schedules and availability - and comfort of their own home," said Munatones. "The convenience of KAATSU - to be able to do anywhere at anytime - is compelling."
Day 5 on May 26th in Long Beach, California
Tina repeated her KAATSU session on both arms and her right leg.
Day 6 on May 28th in Long Beach, California
Tina repeated her KAATSU session on both arms and her right leg. She used the new KAATSU Aqua Bands on her arms with a Base pressure of 10 SKU. She did four KAATSU Cycles at 100 SKU, 110 SKU, 140 SKU and 150 SKU. She did some arm contractions and biceps curls on her right arm while she was propped up in her bed.
After her upper body workout was completed, Yuri placed a plastic fork in her right hand and she attempted to bring the utensil to her mouth. She got her hand holding the fork to approximately a 90° angle with considerable effort. She was also able to move her right shoulder for the first time.
Yuri then placed the plastic fork in her left hand and she attempted to bring the utensil to her mouth. She got her hand holding the fork to approximately 45° with considerable effort while her body shook withe effort. She also felt warm and started to perspire due to her effort.
Tina finished her workout with a standard KAATSU Air Band on her right leg with a Base pressure of 10 SKU. She did 4 KAATSU Cycles at 150 SKU, 160 SKU, 190 SKU, and 200 SKU. After the second and third Cycles, she asked for the pressure to be increased.
Day 7 on May 29th in Long Beach, California
Tina did 4 KAATSU Cycles on both her arms followed by 4 KAATSU Cycles on her right leg.
She used a Base SKU level of 10 on both her arms and leg with Optimal SKU levels of 100 + 120 +140 + 150 respectively on her arms and Optimal SKU levels of 150 + 160 +180 + 200 respectively on her legs.
After these Cycles, the bands were removed and a spoon was placed in both her right hand and then her left hand by Yuri. This is the exercise that she followed up with:
She ended the session by giving a fist pump to the KAATSU Specialist [see above].
Day 8 on May 30th in Long Beach, California
Tina did 4 KAATSU Cycles on both her arms followed by 4 KAATSU Cycles on her right leg.
She used a Base SKU level of 10 on both her arms and leg with Optimal SKU levels of 100 + 120 +140 + 150 respectively on her arms and Optimal SKU levels of 150 + 160 +180 + 200 respectively on her legs.
During these arm Cycles, a spoon was placed in her right hand and she attempted to raise the spoon to her mouth.
Then she followed up her upper body workout with elevated leg extensions with both legs in the supine position with the band on her right leg [see video below from Day 9]:
Day 9 on June 1st in Long Beach, California
Tina did 5 KAATSU Cycles on both her arms followed by 5 KAATSU Cycles on her right leg.
She used a Base SKU level of 10 on both her arms and leg with Optimal SKU levels of 100 + 120 +140 + 150 + 150 respectively on her arms and Optimal SKU levels of 150 + 160 +180 + 200 + 200 respectively on her legs.
During the last two arm Cycles, a spoon was placed in the professional cake decorator's right hand and she attempted to raise the spoon to her mouth.
Then she followed up her upper body workout with elevated leg extensions in the supine position with both legs:
She had a lower back pain before the KAATSU session started in which she felt relief after her KAATSU session was over.
Her sister and caregivers have been taught the standard KAATSU protocols and will conduct the KAATSU sessions by themselves over the weekend.
They will be given the opportunity to become certified KAATSU Specialists by taking the 100-question online certification examination.
Day 12 on June 1st in Long Beach, California
After doing 5 KAATSU Cycles between 100 - 170 SKU on her arms, Tina did calf and leg exercises and whole body pandiculation during KAATSU Cycles at a Base pressure of 10 SKU and Optimal pressure between 150-220 SKU on her legs. Her body continues to feel warm upon doing KAATSU Cycles.
Day 15 on June 4th in Long Beach, California
After doing 5 KAATSU Cycles between 100 - 170 SKU on her arms including biceps curls with a plastic spon, Tina did calf and leg exercises and whole body pandiculation during KAATSU Cycles at a Base pressure of 10 SKU and Optimal pressure between 150-220 SKU. Her body continues to feel warm upon doing KAATSU Cycles.
Day 16 on June 4th in Long Beach, California
Tina felt sore after her vigorous workout yesterday so we decided to go easy. Today was simply a recovery day using KAATSU Cycles without movement or exercises.
She simply did 5 KAATSU Cycles between 100 - 170 SKU on her arms without hand clenches or biceps curls with a plastic spoon and 5 KAATSU Cycles between 150-200 SKU on her legs without calf and leg exercises and whole body pandiculations. While Tina was doing the KAATSU Cycles, her caregiver Yuri explains the differences she has seen in her hands since starting KAATSU:
Day 17 on June 4th in Long Beach, California
After a recovery day on Day 16, Tina did 5 KAATSU Cycles on her arms (with an Optimal SKU of 100 + 120 + 140 + 160 + 180).
Then she did 5 KAATSU Cycles on her legs (with an Optimal SKU of 150 + 170 + 190 + 200 + 201) while her caregiver Yuri Ramirez helped her do a variety of exercises:
1. Yuri lifts her knee while Tina pushes forward against resistance to work on her quadricep and hamstring.
2. Yuri grabs against Tina's back while Tina pushes back to work on her back and neck muscles. It is important to help Tina gain more muscle and control her neck when she is moved.
3. Yuri rotates her ankles that helps her feet and calves feel better.
After a steady recovery over a 3-week period where she is enjoying improved sleep patterns, improved muscle tone, more relaxation, significantly greater movement and mobility, and improved wound recovery, Tina did 5 KAATSU Cycles on her arms (with an Optimal SKU of 100 + 120 + 140 + 160 + 180) on Day 17.
After her upper body workout, Tina did 5 KAATSU Cycles on her legs (with an Optimal SKU of 150 + 170 + 190 + 200 + 201) while her caregiver Yuri helped her do a variety of exercises:
1. Yuri lifts her knee while Tina pushes forward against resistance to work on her quadricep and hamstring.
2. Yuri grabs against Tina's back while Tina pushes back to work on her back and neck muscles. It is important to help Tina gain more muscle and control her neck when she is moved.
3. Yuri rotates her ankles that helps her feet and calves feel better.
By Day 26, she was doing the following exercises:
July 1st in Long Beach, California
Tina was able to put an icing bag in her right hand, squeeze it, and plans to soon start decorating a cake for the first time in 12 years.
Dr. Yoshiaki Sato participated in a question-and-answer session on KAATSU usage with, by and for people with paralysis:
Q1. Why does a patient with paralysis become more relaxed and sleep better after doing KAATSU?
A1. The sympathetic nervous system has been activated for a long time. When KAATSU is performed, the sympathetic nervous system relaxes as the parasympathetic nervous system is stimulated and patients with paralysis are able to sleep well [after KAATSU]. Also, mechanical stress - which is a good stress - occurs and they can sleep comfortably.
Q2. What is the mechanism that enables an increased passive range of motion in her elbows, hands, and ankles?
A2. After the accident, joints became harden and spastic [for a long time, decades]. The tendons and ligaments become harden. Relaxed by KAATSU, because the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system are well activated, the joints and muscles become loosened. This increases its range of motion. There are tendons within the muscles, but they will not become soft soon. Over time, however, the tendons gradually softens over the course of many months.
Q3. The muscle and ligament contractures in their elbows, wrists, fingers and ankle plantar flexors are rigid. Can you predict how much a patient with paralysis can improve her range of motion?
A3. Patients with paralysis have been tense for a long time and their bodies became stiff as a result. It is very important to make concentrated efforts just like climbing stairs, step by step. They should not be impatient. Movement towards their goals might go in a good direction if they keep making steady effort.
Q4. Why do quadriplegic patients feel less pain?
A4. The pain is relieved because of the secretion of beta-endorphins, which is called intra-cerebral anesthesia in the brain. Also, the nerves of the muscle fibers that were in a sleeping state around the damaged muscle fibers are awakened by the application of KAATSU. Thus, the pain is relieved.
Q5. There are some red spots that showed up on a quadriplegic’s right thigh after the initial session. Was the Base SKU too high initially?
A5. You can judge that the patient's blood vessels are weak due to the appearance of red spots on the skin. Perhaps next time, when KAATSU is applied with the same SKU, these tiny red specks might disappear. Some people might say that KAATSU is dangerous because the red spots appeared or KAATSU might cause blood clots. The red spots indicates that stimulation was sufficiently given to blood vessels. It is important to start with KAATSU Cycle 1 (i.e., 100 SKU) for people who are trying KAATSU for the first time and gradually move on to KAATSU Cycle 2 (e.g., 120 SKU), Cycle 3 and on.
Q6. Should we worry about blood clots in immobile patients? Does the potential for existing clots change KAATSU protocols?
A6. The potential for kicking off blood clots will not change as long as you do the KAATSU Cycle. Start with pressurization for 30 seconds and depressurization for 5 seconds (i.e., KAATSU Cycle on and then off). Since the blood vessels gradually increase resistance against pressure and patient's blood vessels get used to SKU and can tolerate it. Do not worry about thrombosis.
Q7. If patients eat poorly, what should we worry about with KAATSU?
A7. Improving one’s diet in parallel with doing KAATSU is one kind of treatment. The three goals - exercise, good diet and sufficient sleep are important to become healthier. It is necessary to balance these three factors.
Q8. Do you recommend 2 full cycles, 2 times a day? What do you recommend for daily KAATSU usage?
A8. The daily usage of KAATSU varies according to patient's abilities and their level of physical fitness. In the case of patients where spasticity tends to easily occur, even if their body loosens after one KAATSU session, it is possible that they will return to their original state after a few minutes. Rather than deciding whether to do one or two KAATSU Cycles, the amount of KAATSU should be decided by the patient. Generally, the more serious the patient, the more times they should do the KAATSU Cycle. Conversely, for less serious patients, the less time should be spent doing KAATSU. That is, the number of times doing KAATSU Cycles should be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Q9. Why do patients with spinal cord injuries feel warm during KAATSU - especially when they have no sensation in the same limb?
A9. The fact that their body feels warm after KAATSU is evidence that new blood vessels were created. Normally, there is no medical treatment to create new blood vessels instantly, but KAATSU instantly creates new capillaries. Blood flows to those points in the body and their body warms up. Conversely, when the body is exposed to below the freezing temperatures, capillaries are pulled away and the body becomes cold.
Q10. Why does KAATSU appear to help with neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury patients?
A10. For not only the patients with spinal injuries, but also the patients with various diseases, when they do KAATSU, cells and muscle fibers that have not been used until now start to work. Consider the case if there are 100 soldiers, but only 10 of them have been working. When those 10 soldiers are injured, the 90 other soldiers will start working on behalf of those 10 people.
Q11. The Masimo device measures Perfusion Index (an indication of the pulse strength at the sensor site). The Perfusion Index values range from 0.02% for very weak pulse to 20% for extremely strong pulse. Normally, the Perfusion Index decreases during KAATSU, but why does the Perfusion Index often increase during KAATSU for a client with a spinal cord injury?
A11. KAATSU immediately creates new blood vessels and the blood fills the place where no blood was flowing until then. Naturally, the perfusion index will increase in this case.
Q12. For spinal cord injury patients, Capillary Refill Time is often very slow with no KAATSU pressure, and speeds up during KAATSU. Why?
A12. Since the blood flow reaches every corner [in the limb], Capillary Refill Time is accelerated. New blood vessels are increased. When you do KAATSU, VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor) new blood vessel growth factor hormone increases. KAATSU effects have continued to surprise me.
Q13. If neural pathways are NOT intact (for example, with a completely severed spinal cord) for an individual with a spinal cord injury, why does the client still feel pain? Why does KAATSU appear to decrease that pain?
A13. Blood vessels are not connected, but new blood vessels are born. It is the same as bypassing a road. Rather than repairing broken roads, roads are made new. When new blood vessels are formed, nerve cells comes after, and nerves are completed. As new blood vessels are formed, neural cells are formed. In a previous KAATSU trial, we put a patient’s head in a Functional MRI machine as we applied KAATSU to both arms while doing Hand Clenches with a grip band. New blood vessels increased in the portion of the brain that was black. Naturally, neurons are formed after. Since KAATSU works, I would like doctors and researchers at the VA to conduct further clinical trials.
Q14. Many military therapists use electrical muscle stimulation on spinal cord injury patients. Can this Electrical Muscle Stimulation device be combined with KAATSU to achieve better results during the isometric contractions?
A14. There are various devices such as electric stimulation units and EMS available now. When electric stimulation is given, the muscles shake. There are several research results that cause muscle hypertrophy to some extent. We get requests from researchers who specialize in electrical stimulation to simultaneously use KAATSU and electrical stimulation. We performed clinical trials on patients with spinal injury who could not move their legs. It showed positive results with KAATSU.
For who? Baby Boomers, retirees, student-athletes For what? mobility, flexibility, recovery
KAATSU is well-known to help build muscle mass and girth. But this is only one single aspect, one athletic perspective, one possible benefit, and one resultant outcome of KAATSU.
There are some athletic activities that need only a greater range of motion or increased strength or improved performance - and do not desire greater muscle mass or girth. Similarly, some individuals do not wish to gain muscle mass or muscle girth - they prefer improved muscle tone or improved BMI.
In these cases, the KAATSU Cycle is an ideal application of KAATSU.
The KAATSU Cycle should be done before every KAATSU session as an ideal warm-up protocol. You can start off at your usual Base SKU pressure and a conservative Optimal SKU pressure. Stretch while the KAATSU Air Bands are inflated and rest while the bands are deflated. Then increase your Optimal SKU pressure on the second (and subsequent) KAATSU Cycles. For example, you can start with a Base SKU of 20 and an Optimal SKU of 200 SKU on the first KAATSU Cycle (that takes 3 minutes 20 seconds).
Then you can increase the Optimal SKU to 250 SKU and 300 SKU respectively on the subsequent KAATSU Cycles. Continue to stretch or do other warm-up exercises as appropriate to your sport or activity.
Then, a few KAATSU Cycles can be repeated at the end of your KAATSU session or after your workout is over. First, do a complete release of the KAATSU Air Bands and get well-hydrated. Then re-apply the KAATSU Air Bands and do a few KAATSU Cycles. But in this case, you can slightly lower your Base SKU and use a lower Optimal SKU pressure to help flush out the lactic acid that may have built up during your workout.
You can walk or do simple stretching while you do the warm-down KAATSU Cycles that will help mitigate undesired muscle growth and increased girth.
The use of KAATSU Cycle is a safe and effective engorgement of blood in the limbs. A warm-up or warm-down while moving (e.g., walking or stretching) in such a physiological state will lead to improved preparation for vigorous training or greater efficiency in flushing out lactic acid that has built up.
Athletic Performance
1. For throwing: warm-up with KAATSU Cycle and throw as normal with KAATSU Optimal SKU Pressure and the Arm Bands untethered.
2. For pitching: warm-up with KAATSU Cycle and pitch as normal with KAATSU Optimal SKU Pressure and the Arm or Leg Bands untethered.
3. For running: warm-up with KAATSU Cycle and do base running as normal with KAATSU Optimal SKU Pressure with the Leg Bands untethered.
4. For batting: warm-up with KAATSU Cycle and take practice swings (i.e., not at home base with a pitcher) with KAATSU Optimal SKU Pressure with the Arm or Leg Bands untethered.
* Avoid fielding or batting to the KAATSU Arm or Leg Bands on. We want to avoid any possible unintended injuries.
Injury Rehabilitation
Use KAATSU Cycle (Cycle 20 or Cycle 60) to augment traditional rehabilitation therapy and to avoid muscle atrophy.
Recovery
1. Post-game pitcher: ice + 3-5 KAATSU Cycles on arms as an ideal post-game recovery mode to reduce inflammation.
2. Post-workout field players: 3-5 KAATSU Cycles after weight-running or a particularly long and vigorous workout.
3. Travel: 3-5 KAATSU Cycles on arms and/or legs after long trips or overnight travel as desired.
For who? aquatic athletes, Baby Boomers, retirees, student-athletes For what? mobility, flexibility, recovery
Whether an elderly person is recovering from a knee replacement or an Olympic athlete is rehabilitating from a double patella tendon rupture, KAATSU can be comprehensively incorporated into their recovery.
After the individual identifies their appropriate Base SKU, they can do a series of KAATSU 3-point exercises first on their arms and then on their legs. This can begin as early as 72 hours after surgery or as soon as their physician gives them the green light to begin.
KAATSU on the arms should always be performed first and will help initiate the positive system effects of KAATSU.
The KAATSU 3-point exercises on the arms include three sets of hand clenches, three sets of biceps curls, and three sets of triceps extensions. The hand clenches can be performed with standard hand grips and the biceps curls and triceps extensions can be performed either without weights or with filled water bottles, resistance bands or very light weights (>3 kg).
After the KAATSU arm session is completed within 15 minutes (maximum duration), the KAATSU 3-point exercises on the legs can begin as the individual remains well-hydrated.
The KAATSU leg exercises are very simple and can include 3 sets of toe curls, 3 sets of toe raises, 3 sets of heel raises (if possible), 3 sets of leg extensions (see below if possible) or 3 sets of simple quarter-squats (if possible). Even more easily and comfortably, aqua-walking in a shallow pool (>1 meter deep) is extremely effective.
Each of the sets of exercises on the arms and legs should become increasingly difficult due to the lactic acid build-up. If aqua-walking or aqua-therapy is used, the KAATSU Aqua Bands should only be on the legs for 20 minutes maximum.
Simple stretching in the water or walking in shallow-water pools is also very effective.
For who? Baby Boomers, retirees, student-athletes For what? Strength, stamina, functional movement, mobility, flexibility, recovery
The Greatest Olympian of All Time, Michael Phelps, has drawn a lot of attention to the ancient Chinese art of cupping during his continued gold-medal run at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Phelps, along with other American Olympians like 12-time medalist Natalie Coughlin and actresses like Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Simpson, have been seen with several visible red round marks on their body.
Cupping is used for recovery and to relieve pain. It is also used to treat pain, shingles, acne and breathing difficulties.
Practitioners of cupping use small glass cups that are placed over the skin and then a vacuum is induced inside a cup. The suction pulls the skin up into the cup that breaks the capillaries and causes the blood to pool and stagnate. This creates a bruise and leaves circular spots on the skin.
Cupping is commonly used among athletes because they want to stimulate blood flow in order to help muscles heal more effectively and quickly.
But physicians and physiologists know that a bruise is a blood clot. But does clotted blood really lead to improved blood flow?
Improved blood flow or not may not matter to Olympic athletes if the placebo effects of cupping provide them with a psychological advantage. This positive mindset may be significant enough to provide them a 0.04 second boost – or the difference between Phelps’ gold medal performance in the 200-meter butterfly and the time of Masato Sakai of Japan, the silver medalist.
But there is an alternative to cupping, a scientifically proven, effective, and safe way to improve blood flow and enhance recovery from strenuous exercise, either in competition or in training.
KAATSU, or generically described a blood flow moderation exercise, was invented in Japan in 1966 by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato. After three decades of meticulous testing with people ranging from 4 to 104 years and years of research, athletes in 19 countries have discovered what is explained in over 100 peer-review published papers.
KAATSU is now used by athletes and teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball as well as Olympic swimmers, runners, triathletes, judoka, rowers, wrestlers, basketball players and rugby players from the United States, Japan, Brazil and China, as well as countries ranging from Hungary to Tunisia. It is also used by NASA, American colleges from West Point to the University of Missouri, and in hospitals and clinics from the University of Tokyo Hospital to the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paolo.
KAATSU equipment consists of a portable handheld unit that carefully monitors the external compression of pneumatic bands placed on the upper arms and upper legs.
These pneumatic KAATSU bands serve to safely reduce venous flow in the limbs, thus leading to an effective pooling of blood in the arms and legs. Through stretching or any form of movement – either strenuous exercise or physical therapy – with the KAATSU Air Bands on, the pooling of blood helps expand the veins and capillaries. Additionally, the KAATSU Cycle function effectively flushes out lactic acid in the muscles.
After 5-10 minutes of KAATSU Cycle, the athletes feel rejuvenated because the lactic acid is not only effectively removed from the muscles, but also the expansion of the vascular walls leads to an increased elasticity of the veins and capillaries.
There is also a concurrent release of growth hormones and nitric oxide caused by this blood pooling that aids recovery. This biochemical reaction is a natural effect of blood pooling that has positive systemic effects on the body. The hormones are transported throughout the body via the vascular system. When these hormones reach muscle cells that are under stress, cell receptors in these cells interact as the body is designed to do.
Therefore, KAATSU is a scientifically proven modality that has natural systemic effects on the body. These are not only more healthful and effective than localized cupping, but it also leads to a natural hormonal release and improved elasticity of the vascular system.
KAATSU versus Cupping, Advantages versus Disadvantages:
*Cupping breaks the capillaries in a localized area. KAATSU improves the elasticity of the capillaries.
*Cupping creates bruising in a localized area. KAATSU leads to a natural hormonal response.
*Cupping leads to visible red spots on the body. KAATSU leaves no visible marks on the body.
*Cupping requires an experienced practitioner. KAATSU can be done anywhere anytime by anyone who follows the standardized KAATSU protocols.
*Cupping feels very good to many people after a session. KAATSU makes the body feel recovered and very good after a session.
Courtesy of Romulo 'Romy' Camargo, Stay In Step Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center, Florida. 
