Showing posts with label stroke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stroke. Show all posts

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Stroke Survivors Do KAATSU, The Original BFR

For who? Stroke survivors
For what? Cardiac rehabilitation, mobility, functional movement



Rehabilitation and a positive mindset are critical to recovering from a stroke.

Strokes can vary in type and severity, and recovery from a stroke is difficult and often seems overwhelming. There are many stroke patients who incorporate KAATSU the original BFR in their rehabilitation.

Al is one example. The Southern Californian experienced a stroke in 1999 and he began KAATSU in June 2020 - and saw immediate improvement in his pain management and mobility.

These are the standard KAATSU protocols that he, his KAATSU Master Specialist Dave Carlson, and other stroke survivors follow:

1. Only use the KAATSU Cycle mode. Do not use the KAATSU Constant mode.
2. Use conservative (i.e., low) pressure in the beginning and at the start of each KAATSU Cycle session. This would be Low on the KAATSU Cycle 2.0, KAATSU C3, and KAATSU B1.
3. Be able to put a single finger between the KAATSU Air Bands on your skin.
4. Your skin should have a pink or red tone to it with your KAATSU Air Bands on; your skin should not appear blue, gray or white. The goal is to have blood engorged in your limbs; the goal is not to prevent blood from going into your limbs.
4. Put your KAATSU Air Bands over your clothing.
5. Be well hydrated before and during each KAATSU session.
6. After you become accustomed to KAATSU over a period of 2-4 weeks, you can use KAATSU frequently (1-2 times per day) for optimal and quick improvement.
7. Do 3-6 KAATSU Cycle sets per session. For example, you can do:
(a) 3-6 sets of the Low pressure, or
(b) 3-6 sets of Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets where you do a few sets on Low pressure, 1-2 sets on Medium pressure, and if you wish, then 1-2 sets on High pressure
8. First, do KAATSU on your arms. Then, do KAATSU on your legs. But never wear the KAATSU Air Bands on both your arms and legs together.
9. Do simple movements with your KAATSU Air Bands on your arms in the KAATSU Cycle mode (e.g., Hand Clenches, Biceps Curls, Triceps Extensions, Ball Squeezes, Holding and Writing with a Pen). Do not attempt push-ups or lift weights with your KAATSU Air Bands on your arms.
10. Do simple movements with your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs in the KAATSU Cycle mode (e.g., Toe Curls, Toe Raises, Sitting Heel Raises, Standing Leg Curls, Quadriceps Contractions, Easy Walking). Do not attempt to lift or press weights with your KAATSU Air Bands on your legs.
11. In the beginning, you can place the KAATSU Air Bands only on your affected limbs. That is, if your right arm is affected by the stroke, use the KAATSU Air Bands only on the right arm.

These protocols have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and its use should be evaluated by your own physician before use.

Copyright © 2014 - 2020 by KAATSU Global

Thursday, January 17, 2019

61-year-old Military Veteran & Stroke Survivor Before & After KAATSU

For who? stroke victims, Baby Boomers, retirees, veterans, soldiers
For what? functional movement, mobility, flexibility, recovery



Before: Mitch's Timed Up & Go on 15 December 2018



After: Mitch's Timed Up & Go on 15 January 2019



Before Mitch started a KAATSU Cycle program at home on 15 December 2018.



After Mitch did 15 KAATSU Cycle upper body sessions over a 4-week period at home on 15 January 2019.

Overview
Mitch is a 61-year-old Marine veteran in Colorado who had an ischemic stroke 9 years ago at his home and 3 subsequent heart attacks. He is designated as a Do Not Resuscitate patient. His right side is nearly paralyzed, he has a torn right rotator cuff, he uses a wheelchair, his voice is significantly limited, but he remains overwhelmingly positive and is friendly with his neighbors. He has been treated by medical professionals and VA staff for the past decade. He regularly does a variety of physical therapy exercises and wheels himself around the neighborhood using his left arm.

KAATSU Usage
Mitch has used KAATSU 3-4 times per week for last 4 weeks (beginning on December 15th 2018) in the comfort of his home, while using the KAASTU Cycle mode with the help of his 62-year-old wife and performing a variety of standard physical therapeutic movements.

Benefits (see videos above)
1. Mitch’s fingers on his right hand are much more relaxed and flexible with a much looser grip.
2. Mitch can move his right arm with significantly greater range of motion.
2. Mitch feels significantly less pain in his right hand and arm.
3. Mitch can now feel human touch throughout his right arm that he could not feel before.
4. Mitch can complete a Timed Up and Go test 9% faster (1 minute 32 seconds vs. 1 minute 43 seconds).

KAATSU Recommendations
1. Mitch should continue the same exercises he currently does with the KAATSU Air Bands on.
2. Mitch can increase his use of KAATSU to twice per day: do KAATSU Cycle sets in the morning hours and do KAATSU Cycle sets as part of his 9:30 pm evening KAATSU sessions (currently doing evening only).
3. Due to his improvement and increased strength and balance, Mitch can add KAATSU Constant to his evening sessions (i.e., detach the tubes and walk or do upper body movements in the KAATSU Constant mode for no more than 5-10 minutes while untethered).
4. Mitch can practice handwriting with his right hand while conducting KAATSU Cycle sets on his arms.
5. In order to develop greater strength and range of motion in his legs, Mitch can start 'Prone Upper Leg Contraction and Leg Lift Exercises' while conducting KAATSU Cycle sets on his legs while in the horizontal position.

KAATSU Advantages versus Traditional Physical Therapy
1. Ease & Convenience of Use
Mitch and his wife are non-medical professionals who quickly learned how to safely use KAATSU in the comfort of their home where Mitch can experience the benefits and convenience of KAATSU.

2. Safety
Despite having a stroke and 3 heart attacks and a torn rotator cuff, KAATSU is safely used by a 61-year-old veteran. This record is consistent with KAATSU’s usage in 32 countries around the world by over 20 million users.

3. Cost Savings
Assume the cost of a home visit by a VA professional is $100 (salary + benefits + travel expenses) per visit. If Mitch does KAATSU twice per day for 300 days per year, the cost of a KAATSU Wearable device amortized over 2 years (1,200 sessions) is $0.50 per KAATSU session (i.e., $600 ÷ 1200 = $0.50 / session). $100 vs. $0.50 per session presents unprecedented cost savings.

4. Physical Improvement
Video provides visual evidence of physical improvement after 15 uses of KAATSU.

5. Psychological Boost
With improved physical strength, range of motion and muscle tone, and a greater hormonal response, the mental outlook of a paralyzed individual will improve. Being able to sign checks, move both arms at will, walk to the bathroom without a wheelchair, and other activities likely lead to greater confidence, greater motivation, and a greater self-belief to continue further physical improvement.

Copyright © 2014 - 2019 by KAATSU Global