Sunday, November 27, 2022

Dealing With Pain, Managing With KAATSU Progressive Cycle Sets

One of the most important - and non-intuitive - movements that KAATSU inventor Dr. Sato has advocated for decades is Hand Clenches.

The standard KAATSU protocol is to repeatedly open and close your hand(s) while the KAATSU Air Bands are on your upper arms in the KAATSU Progressive Cycle mode (i.e., Low Pressure to Medium Pressure to higher pressures).

This is especially helpful for people who are in pain, missing a lower or upper body limb (and experiencing phantom pain and neuropathic pain), or recovering from surgery .

Hand clenches are part of the standard KAATSU 3-Point Exercises. The KAATSU Cycle mode very effectively, efficiently, safely, and gradually engorges the capillary beds in the lower arms in blood while the Hand Clenches are sufficient to build up lactate. As the Cycle sets and Hand Clenches continue, a dark pink or beefy red color appears and your veins are distended. The effect is similar to the photo shown below where one arm is impacted with inflated KAATSU Air Bands and the other arm is normal without KAATSU Air Bands on.


Dr. Nakajima found and explained in a paper (to be published in Q1 2023) that simple Hand Clenches while performing KAATSU Cycle sets are a highly efficient catalyst for producing β-Endorphin (Beta-Endorphin)and serum lactate. The β-Endorphin is produced in the brain's pituitary gland that blocks the sensation of pain. Dr. Sato explains, "You can use a Hand Grip or just repeatedly squeeze a tennis ball or squeeze ball in the Progressive KAATSU Cycle mode. The phenomena starts when the automated pneumatic compression starts at lower pressures and then very gradually builds up to higher pressures. As you repeatedly and slowly squeeze your hands, lactate builds in your forearms. With the lactate build-up, growth hormone and IGF-1 (insulin growth factor) are also produced."

Meanwhile, the very tiny capillaries in the injured (or amputated) limb gradually and efficiently become fully engorged with blood. The skin in the injured limb (or amputated stump) becomes pink, rosy, or even a deep red. The engorgement of the capillaries in blood leads to a hormonal response, a decrease in C-reactive protein, and an activation of the peripheral nerves. The C-reactive protein helps reduce pain while the activation of the peripheral nerves tricks the brain to think the amputated limb is intact in some way.
The number of KAATSU Progressive Cycle sets can be repeated throughout the day in several different sessions (in the morning, afternoon, and evening) in order to effectively manage the pain.

The photos below show the effect of engorgement of blood on the right hand and forearm due to the wearing of the KAATSU Air Band on one arm and not the other. The KAATSU Progressive Cycle mode repeatedly, progressively incrementally, slowly, and gently leads to this engorgement.

Other phenomena aid in the reduction of pain.

Dr. Nakajima explains, "Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is a reduction in pain sensitivity and/or perception of pain intensity to noxious stimuli following acute exercise. This is a temporary effect that occurs as a result of neurophysiological effects.

One hypothesized mechanism is the enhancement of descending pain. Inhibitory effect through activation of the endogenous pain inhibitory system that secretes antinociceptive substances. These substances include endorphins and endocannabinoids, both of which have been found to increase circulating concentrations after exercise. Although the mechanism is not well established, exercise that clears a single bout of either resistance or aerobic exercise causes hypoalgesia for up to 30 minutes in healthy, pain-free individuals.

EIH responses are more variable in individuals with chronic pain who are pain sensitive. The intensity may be decreased, unchanged, or even increased in response to exercise (i.e., hyperalgesia). Nevertheless, exercise is widely used as a therapeutic strategy for individuals with chronic pain. Movement with KAATSU also has the ability to reduce pain and reduce sensitivity in muscles and joints.


Experimental pain studies demonstrate that focal joint pain leads to decreased muscle function, impaired motor control, and fear-avoidance behavior patterns (i.e., avoidance of painful activities). Collectively, this can lead to a spiraling vicious cycle of bodily function that can increase the risk of developing chronic and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. Exercise interventions that can properly load the injured area, relieve pain, and increase muscle strength are presented as effective management systems that target the multiple factors in these complex conditions. Exercise has the ability to reduce pain and increase muscle strength, but this form of training can also increase the load on the injured area, exacerbating symptoms.

There are several studies investigating BFR and hypoalgesia. Additionally, many KAATSU Specialists in Japan have noticed about this phenomenon. A landmark study by Vasileios Korakakis in 2018 (Low load resistance training with blood flow restriction decreases anterior knee pain more than resistance training alone. A pilot randomised controlled trial) investigated the use of BFR in 30 male patients suffering from anterior knee pain. Their pain scores were significantly reduced while performing three common functional tasks in response to BFR.

Although there are increasing applications and growing evidence supporting the use of KAATSU in pain management, how and why KAATSU is effective remains, admittedly, a matter of speculation.

A 2019 review by Luke Hughes and Stephen David Patterson (Examination of the comfort and pain experienced with blood flow restriction training during post-surgery rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients: A UK National Health Service trial) investigated some of the potential mechanisms by which BFR affects pain. This includes Conditioned Pain Modulation where the simplest way to describe conditioned pain regulation is the phrase 'pain cures pain'. Although BFR is characterized by low-intensity training, the literature consistently reports pain and discomfort comparable to high-intensity exercise.

Secondly, it also includes the recruitment of fast-twitch fibers. This is a key mechanism behind BFR and hypoalgesia and may be a key factor in BFR and hypertrophy.

Thirdly, through the opioid and endocannabinoid system (that bind distinct receptors that co-localize in areas of the brain involved with the processing of pain signals), experiments with the KAATSU Cycle sets induce serum β-Endorphin
."

Copyright © 2014 - 2023 by KAATSU Global

Rachel Roberts Uses Her Creativity With Recipes and KAATSU

Houston native Rachel Roberts is a well-known chef, social media influencer, podcaster, and regular KAATSU user.

With her tagline, "Eat Clean, Drink a little Dirty!", 49-year-old Roberts leads an active lifestyle inside her home, at her studio, and outside entertaining clients and friends.

Her days and nights are filled with being creative in the kitchen and on the road.

However, the stunning Texas beauty admits to not being a fan of exercise. "I like being in shape and enjoying being fit, but I prefer to have a nice glass of red wine in my hand rather than a dumbbell. I would have work with a skillet than a jump rope."

But after an unanticipated introduction to KAATSU by renowned architect Michael Chiarelli, her perspective of health and fitness was completely transformed. "Michael taught me that by doing KAATSU Cycle sets, even while we are sitting down creating new recipes or designing new spaces for a restaurant or hotel, we are actually working out. And by working out, I do not mean doing burpees or push-ups. I mean exercising on the cellular level. I mean exercising by increasing the elasticity of our vascular tissue and producing a healthy hormonal response in an incredibly easy way."

Roberts' ingenuity in presenting healthy nutrition to people of all ages and backgrounds is a part of her DNA. Since an early age given her Italian mother's passion for cooking and her Texarkana father's love of grilling and barbequing, she has nurtured a wide variety of colorful dishes with a variety of flavors based on her deep-seated philosophy of "eating what you grow".

That same ingenuity that she taps into with her recipes is mirrored by her incorporation of KAATSU in her daily lifestyle. "I eat what I grow and I use what I have," she explains. "With KAATSU equipment, I can go about my daily life and use the natural movement of my arms and legs to increase my strength and stamina as well as maintain and improve my muscle tone and skin elasticity. It is so easy and convenient. The results just come about naturally. And just like my recipes, I want to share it with the world."

To learn more about Rachel Roberts, visit here. To listen to her podcast, visit here. To watch her on TikTok, visit here. To follow her on Instagram, visit here. Her YouTube channel is here.

Copyright © 2014 - 2022 by KAATSU Global

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

KAATSU For An Aging Baby Boomer Market




The KAATSU Progressive Cycle mode is an effective, convenient, and safe means to prevent and reverse sarcopenia, as thousands of Baby Boomers are currently doing in 49 countries around the world.

Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and is a major problem especially among older individuals.

Among both males and females, muscle strength decreases with age and muscle volume quickly decreases (0.45 kg per year) as individuals age past 50 years old. That is, fast twitch muscle fiber decreases on average to 50% by the age of 80 years.

To prevent it, physicians and physiologists understand that high-intensity resistance exercise (e.g., weight training or body weight exercises) is required. But this type of training is usually not possible - or even desired - by the elderly.

But with KAATSU, individuals up to the age of 104 can perform low-load or no-load, non-impact exercise with KAATSU equipment following the KAATSU Cycle modality to induce muscle hypertrophy and strengthen muscle even with short-term, low-intensity exercise. With the KAATSU Air Bands, the KAATSU no-load, non-impact exercise physiologically and safely equals outcomes produced by high-intensity, high-load training. In both cases (KAATSU and high-intensity, high-load training), the muscle and brain are stimulated to induce muscle hypertrophy and strength.

Elderly KAATSU users are strongly recommended to use repeated (3-6) KAATSU Progressive Cycle sets on their arms first, and then subsequently on their legs. Ideally, this is done sometime in the morning or afternoon. Users can then do a few KAATSU Progressive Cycle sets on either their arms and/or legs during the evening hours, optimally less than hour before bedtime.

The KAATSU B1 is the next-generation model that can be used safely, effectively, and conveniently by users over the age of 50 years.

It is well-established that an increase in muscle strength and mass leads to quality of life improvements like getting up and out of a chair or bed, and lifting objects.

Former University of Tokyo Hospital cardiologist Dr. Nakajima explains the process leading up to muscle hypertrophy due to traditional resistance training. "Typically, an individual needs to perform at least 65% of 1RM to create mechanical stress, metabolic stress, Hormone (cathecholamine) secretion, Growth factor, Cytokin (IL-6), nerve factor, local circulation, hypoxia and cell swelling that leads to adaptation and an increase in protein synthesis and decrease in protein degradation.

In contrast, KAATSU leads to several mechanisms that cause KAATSU's hypertrophic effects: recruitment of fast twitch muscle fibers, increase in Growth Hormone and IGF-1 (Insulin Growth Factor), amino acid uptake, increase in protein synthesis and a decrease in myostatin.
"

He described the process. "Maintenance of skeletal muscle mass is dependent on the relationship of muscle protein balance - protein synthesis and breakdown. A negative protein balance induces muscle atrophy, whereas a positive balance induces muscle hypertrophy.

After muscle disuse, during long-term bed rest and simulated models of no-bearing activity, severe skeletal muscle atrophy develops due to altered protein metabolism leading to decreased muscle contractile protein content.

To prevent this, resistance exercise, an established and potent stimulus for enhancing muscle protein synthesis and subsequent muscle hypertrophy, is traditionally used.

Conversely, skeletal muscle is a plastic organ that adapts its mass to the different conditions by affecting pathways that regulate protein and cellular turnover. Repetitive KAATSU appears to be a novel stimulus for skeletal muscle to induce a net positive protein balance and prevent atrophy especially with patients with orthopedic diseases or injuries or those with disuse syndrome, sarcopenia and cachexia (weakness and wasting of the body due to severe chronic illness)
."

The video below shows the before-and-after effects of KAATSU Cycle on a 104-year-old female from Kawasaki, Japan who shows what is possible with KAATSU under the guidance of her physician Dr. Odagiri.


The patient was bedridden and uncommunicative for two months with severe dementia. She was transferred from her local hospital to Odagiri Hospital where she was treated with KAATSU. Initially for the first month, she simply did KAATSU Cycle as she remained in bed. Gradually, she became communicative and was able to get out of bed. Eventually, over the course of two months, she was able to do a variety of exercises and found herself wishing to live to be 200 years old [see English translation in video above].

During the Japanese-language video, she was asked how old she is and she answers as 104, holding a document confirming her age and birth date. She is shown doing a variety of exercises with her KAATSU Air Bands on (at an Optimal SKU level of 120).

Her doctors also documented her muscle gains in her upper legs (quadricep + hamstring) via before-and-after comparative computed tomography scans (3 months apart):




























Copyright © 2014 - 2022 by KAATSU Global

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Siim Land Talks KAATSU


Siim Land is an author, speaker, high performance coach and biohacker who talked about KAATSU with John Doolittle and Steven Munatones this week on his podcast.

Who is Siim Land? Learn more below.


Copyright © 2014 - 2022 by KAATSU Global

Monday, October 24, 2022

KAATSU B1 and KAATSU C3 Presented at the 2022 AUSA Exposition

 

The Bluetooth-enabled KAATSU B1 and the ruggedized go-to KAATSU C3 were presented at the annual AUSA (Association of the US Army) Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C. "Building the U.S. Army of 2030" was the theme of the exposition attended by over 33,000 people from over 80 countries.

Hundreds of military representatives tried the KAATSU B1 and KAATSU C3 models for the first time.  They were pleasantly surprised and intrigued by the resultant physiological effects and outcomes of the KAATSU Air Bands and myriad protocols explained by the KAATSU Master Specialists.

Navy SEAL Captain John Doolittle and KAATSU Master Specialist Chris Morgan showcased the  KAATSU B1 model along with the KAATSU C3 model and clinical KAATSU M3 model. They  demonstrated and explained the effects of the Progressive KAATSU Cycle modality with the B1, C3, and M3 on metabolism, perceptual, mood and cognitive responses to resistance exercise and its practical applications on jet lag mitigation and post-exercise recovery.

As the sports scientists and military community both delve deeper into the advantages, profound simplicity, and unheard of outcomes of the KAATSU technology and our non-intuitive protocols, their collective knowledge and acceptance will help many others around the world better understand the numerous applications that can improve athletic performance, rehabilitation, recovery, balance, and strength gains for tactical, elite, competitive and recreational athletes - as well as for those of any age and walk of life," said Steven Munatones, CEO of KAATSU Global.

Copyright © 2014 - 2022 by KAATSU Global

KAATSU Protocols Decision Trees

Experienced KAATSU Master Specialists use various KAATSU decision trees to determine what kind of KAATSU program their patients, clients and players use.

Fundamentally, there are four distinct areas where KAATSU can be effectively used: Athletic Performance + Rehabilitation + Recovery + General Wellness. The various decision tress are posted below.

Copyright © 2014 - 2022 by KAATSU Global

Friday, October 21, 2022

GI Joe Repeats KAATSU History

Dr. Yoshiaki Sato of Tokyo, Japan invented the KAATSU concept in 1966 and fine-tuned the KAATSU Cycle modality in 1973 as a result of breaking his ankle and tearing ligaments in a ski accident.

While Dr. Sato pioneered the use of elastic, stretchable, narrow bands and specific protocols for muscle and strength building in 1966, it took an unexpected bone break to serve as the catalyst to create the concept of KAATSU Cycle sets - that has since been used for athletic performance, rehabilitation, and recovery.

Dr. Sato had to modify the existing KAATSU Constant modality when he was suffering from a broken ankle. He was able to rehabilitate from his injuries by doing repeated Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets without placing his foot in a cast or doing traditional physical therapy.

Dial forward to the summer of 2022 where Green Beret and Purple Heart recipient "GI Joe" Lowrey feel and broke his ankle and tore his ligaments. The orthopedic surgeon set his bone, but did not order a cast because GI Joe wears braces due to a previous war injury resulting in hemoplegia.

GI Joe recalls his injury and rehab, "I used my KAATSU B1 device to help heal my fractured medial maliolus after suffering a fall with the passive Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets as it’s known.

It has helped my ankle heal quickly as it was very swollen and painful after this injury. This was very important because I was told I couldn’t be on feet or to stay in my wheelchair. How can someone accept this diagnosis?

Being that the Department of Veterans Affairs was not able to see me for a long time and without a actual physician, this is very important to me to not only to have outstanding friends at KAATSU Global, but also folks who continue to provide health care for me and my healing needs.

I very much need the assistance in my life at this time to regain my quality of life. Thanks to and mostly with the help of Christ Jesus and his healing powers, I’ve been able to miraculously heal from this terrible injury that had put a damper on my mood. Any rehab setbacks tend to do this for folks like myself, hard chargers.

I can’t say enough about this simple piece of KAATSU equipment, but the technology is a game changer in the rehab space. I’ve been under rehab for a long time due to my underlying traumatic brain injury due to a gunshot wound to my head that forced me to live in rehab hospitals for many years before finding KAATSU.

Once I was discharged and able to rehab at home, I have been using KAATSU equipment and following the KAATSU protocols for several years. It has enhanceed my overall well-being - ranging from sleeping better when I use KAATSU Cycle sets passively at night to how it has helped reduce my spasticity in my affected limbs. Additionaly, it has helped me rebuild muscle loss due to atrophy from paralysis.

All these remarkable benefits stem from using this training device that I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking to enhance their quality of life after any injury they may have sustained wether it be an acute injury or just trying to improve their well-being
."

Copyright © 2014 - 2022 by KAATSU Global

KAATSU Changes - Big And Small

KAATSU can be used extremely effectively and efficiently by millions of people - in creating physiological changes big or small.

When many elite coaches who work with professional and Olympic athletes start doing KAATSU, they are generally not initially interested in building raw power or strength. Rather, they are more focused on slight improvements in various key movements that are impossible to develop or enhance in the weight room. This focus on slight improvements in movements is also true with Olympic runners, swimmers, divers, skiers, bobsledders, gamers, shooters, fencers, MMA fighters, wrestlers, boxers, pionists, violinists, etc.

In other words, a few centimeters change in body position, hand movement, foot placement, hip agility, ankle rotation, or finger reaction speed can significantly help these athletes improve their level of performance. The coaches know that raw power and strength can be achieved in many different ways: in the weight room, with resistance exercises, and over many hours of intense training using a variety of equipment and methodologies. Of course, KAATSU can help in these areas, too.

But when KAATSU is used by very weak people, those with disabilities, paraplegics, quadriplegics, or amputees, the efficiency and effectiveness of KAATSU is a clear and evident outcome. Incremental improvements in their movements, strength, ability, balance, and coordination are quickly seen and appreciated. These slight improvements - over time - enables these individuals to dramatically improve their quality of life.

For example, if a person has a stroke and has lost their ability to legibly sign their name, put on makeup, or comb their hair, they use the Progressive KAATSU Cycle while practicing that particular movement. This repetition leads to their vascular tissue being engorged in blood and a robust hormonal response to be generated. This dual biochemical reaction in their bodies gradually enables them to achieve their quality of life goals.

In the same way, a competitive or elite athlete can make those incremental improvements in critically vital movements that are key to their success in whatever sport or activity they are focused on.

When a specific muscle, ligament, or tendon is injured, torn, ruptured, or sore, KAATSU users should always and only use the KAATSU Progressive Cycle mode and do some minor movement with that injured body part, if possible.

For a hamstring pull, for example, simple KAATSU Walking while doing KAATSU Cycle sets is most effective. Sitting still while doing KAATSU Cycle sets is also effective, but not optimal.  If a KAATSU user cannot move their limb or body (for whatever reason), then the second option is to repeatedly contract the muscle.

If the muscle cannot be moved or contracted at all (for whatever reason), then the next best option is to move the other non-injured limbs.  For example with a hamstring pull, the KAATSU user can apply KAATSU Air Bands to their legs or arms and focus on doing upper body exercises (e.g., biceps curls or turning the pages of a book).

In summary, KAATSU benefits and movements can either be big or small.


Copyright © 2014 - 2022 by KAATSU Global

Saturday, October 15, 2022

KAATSU Protocols for Pre- and Post-Hip Surgery

For who? Baby Boomers, retirees or athletes who have hip surgeries

For what? prehab and rapid rehab recovery in order to regain mobility and flexibility, and maintain strength

Some surgeries are minimally invasive and others are much more so, like hip surgeries.

The fundamental post-surgerical KAATSU protocols for those who have had hip surgery involve traditional physical therapy combined with Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets performed before, during, and after each physical therapy session.

Before Physical Therapy

Before a post-surgerical patient begins their traditional physical therapy, they can do 3-6 sets of the Progressive KAATSU Cycle mode (from low pressure to higher pressure), both on their arms and legs.

This is due to the systemic effects of KAATSU and the biochemical reactions that occur as the result of Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets.

During Physical Therapy

During physical therapy, the patient continues to do the traditional modalities that their therapist prescribes. They can do these movements and exercises with the low-to-medium KAATSU Cycle pressures on (i.e., 30 seconds of compression followed by 5 seconds of decompression, as the compression gradually and incrementally increases).

Key Points

* The decompressed KAATSU Air Bands are manually placed on the limbs with standard one-finger tightness
* The decompressed KAATSU Air Bands are then inflated slowly, gradually, repeatedly, and incrementally
* In the beginning of the session, patients can do the following KAATSU 3-point exercises during the compression and decompression phases: toe curls + ankle dorsiflexion + ankle plantar flexion
* As they warm-up, patients can do KAATSU Walking, gradually increasing the distance during each session
* As they heal and progress with their physical therapy, they can add quarter squats and calf raises and other movements and exercises, as well as increase their walking distance
* The session can continue after removing the KAATSU Air Bands as they finish with traditional physical therapy
* The patients can use their KAATSU equipment at home or at the facility after their physical therapy session is over, doing low-to-medium Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets on their arms - and their legs, if they wish
* In the early stages of intervention, only one KAATSU Air Band is placed on their affected leg. As they heal and progress, both KAATSU Air Bands are placed on both their affected and healthy legs.
* Throughout the rehabilitation and recovery period, patients can use the KAATSU Air Bands are both their arms without restriction, doing standard training movements in the Progressive KAATSU Cycle mode placed on both arms

These Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets help enhance the natural healing process due to the systemic effects of KAATSU.

Steven Munatones says, "One thing that we have seen time and time again with surgeries on the upper and lower limbs is how quickly the patients' skin and wounds heal. The skin around the wound heals so quickly with repeated KAATSU Cycle sets that the skin grows over the sutures - much faster than what is normally expected by physicians.

When physicians schedule the normal removal of the sutures, patients utilizing Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets will often experience faster than normal healing of wounds and incisions. So, a patient should inform their attending physician of this phenomenon
."

Additional Helpful Hints

* Patients can augment their traditional physical therapy with Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets up to 3 times per day in the comfort of their home or before or during their physical therapy sessions in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings.
* Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets consist of repeated 30 seconds of inflation of the KAATSU Air Bands followed by 5 seconds of deflation. There is a slight increase in pressure during each subsequent inflation interval.
* 3-6 Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets are first done on their arms and then followed by 3-6 additional Progressive KAATSU Cycle sets on their legs.
* All standard KAATSU protocols (i.e., Do's and Don'ts) should be strictly followed:
-- remain well hydrated before and during the KAATSU sessions
-- 'one-finger tightness' is recommended when applying the KAATSU Air Bands on your arm and leg bands
-- always start KAATSU on the arms, then do KAATSU on the legs
-- arm and leg skin tone should turn darker than the normal skin color (i.e., pinker or redder) as the limb's vascular tissue becomes engorged with blood
-- breathe normally while doing KAATSU; holding of one's breath is strictly prohibited
-- always feel comfortable doing KAATSU; never feel uncomfortable or lightheaded
-- always start off with conservative pressure and gradually increase
-- do simple movements during KAATSU Cycle sets; intense, vigorous exercises are not required
-- do Single-limb KAATSU Cycle sets on the affected leg in the initial stages and then incorporate the Standard (Dual-limb) KAATSU Cycle sets on both legs later
-- do simple Standard KAATSU 3-Point Exercises on the arms (e.g., Hand Clenches, Biceps Curls, Triceps Extensions)
-- Additionally, isometric exercises and muscle contractions can also be performed
-- avoid any painful or sudden movements. KAATSU is best done with slow, easy, gentle movements
-- The skin and underlying tissue quickly repair and recover - so much so that patients who do post-surgery KAATSU will have to get their stitches removed much more quickly than those patients who do not do KAATSU

"You always want to start off with your arms," said Munatones. "That is key for optimization of the effects on your lower body, although that may seem counter-intuitive. Also, seemingly counter-intuitive is to start slowly with the KAATSU pressure. There is no need to start off with high pressure; in fact, that is not recommended. You always need to start with light, conservative pressure. You can start off with low pressure on the first one or two sets - each set is between 5-6 minutes. Then you gradually increase the pressure on the subsequent sets.

These protocols and recommendations are standard no matter what KAATSU equipment is used (i.e., KAATSU Cycle 2.0, KAATSU Master 2.0, KAATSU C3, KAATSU B1, KAATSU M3 models).

Copyright © 2014 - 2022 by KAATSU Global

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

KAATSU Can Help Save The Future Of Humanity - It's Time To Give A Sit

Sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity are significantly increasing, leading to a global surge in obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and a wide variety of chronic diseases.

Schools and children are decreasing their amount of required and desired physical activity.

Commercialism is also a significant driver of reduced physical activity. Homes, offices, schools, are public spaces are being re-engineered to minimize human movement and muscular activity. Companies and society offer elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, electric bicycles, microwaves, bread makers, air fryers, rice cookers, blenders, nail drivers, farm equipment, smartphones, Roomba, walk-in bathtubs, factory robots, smartphones, and many other devices.

These all serve to create a culture of convenience where the need for movement and the desire to exercise dramatically decrease as a result.

Sitting is the new cancer of society: sitting at work, to work, at home, while shopping.

As a result, society is facing a 90% increased risk of death from cardiovascular events, 112% increased risk of diabetes, 147% increased risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.

Prolonged sitting is the #1 contributor to chronic diseases. The need for manual labor is being significantly reduced in all phases of human existence. Mankind’s increasingly rapid transformation from a physical demanding life to lifestyles with few physical challenges has consequences.

And the transformation will only continue throughout the 21st century.

It is time to give a sit...with KAATSU

KAATSU is quick, easy, convenient, effective. It is almost too good to be true, but KAATSU is our best health and wellness alternative as sitting has become the most prevalent activity of the human race.

How does KAATSU work while we sit?

The KAATSU Air Bands are not a tourniquet or blood pressure cuff, although they may look like cuffs or tourniquets.

The KAATSU Air Bands serve to achieve the opposite than blood pressure cuffs; KAATSU equipment safely and conveniently allow the arterial blood flow (from our torso to our limbs) to naturally continue to flow unimpeded. At the same time, the position and inflation of the KAATSU Air Bands slowly, gradually, repeatedly, temporarily, and gently slows down the venous blood flow (from our limbs back to our torso). When the blood engorges the capillaries and veins of our limbs, this replicates the physiological effects of exercise, both from a vascular and hormonal perspective.

KAATSU is a brilliant, simple solution to a growing pervasive problem.


How does KAATSU work in reality - in a work cubicle, office, or at home?

At the recent 37th annual World Congress of Sports Medicine, scientists, corporate executives, and Olympic coaches were astonished and fascinated when researchers reported, "KAATSU leads to positive adaptations for muscle mass, muscle strength, functional capacity, quality of life, and muscle mitochondrial function are achieved for people of all ages and walks of life with minimal movement and minimal effort."

KAATSU equipment can be placed on the upper arms or upper legs while sitting and offers is a convenient, easy-to-use, safe modality that leads to muscle toning, increased calorie burn, and positive hormonal responses.

This is extremely important and effective when people are unmotivated, unwilling, or unable to exercise - or when conventional training (e.g., weightlifting, running) is contraindicated due to the stress of exercising with high resistance or intensity, especialy for people facing obesity, musculoskeletal conditions, and chronic disorders.

Below are examples of simple KAATSU exercises for the upper body that can be performed in the office or in the comfort of your home.



Below are examples of simple KAATSU exercises for the lower body that can be performed in the office or in the comfort of your home.


Healthy does not have to be hard.

KAATSU provides the convenience, ease, and positive outcomes. As a result of regularly doing KAATSU for 20-30 minutes per session while doing office work, writing emails, or reading at work, the effects of a sedentary lifestyle can be effectively reversed without requiring vigorous, intense, or prolonged exercise.

These KAATSU users are actually working out while simply sitting and relaxing at their home, office, or while reading.

The Progressive KAATSU Cycle mode is automatic; the bands are inflated for 30 seconds, followed by a deflation of the bands for 5 seconds. This “cycle” is repeatedly done, starting at a low pressure and increasing to higher pressures. This incremental and repeated compression and decompression of the KAATSU Air Bands safely and comfortably leads to the increased elasticity of the vascular tissue – essentially replicating a warm-up and workout for those who lead sedentary lifestyles or who are older or injured or otherwise compromised or unmotivated to exercise as the medical community recommends.

As a result, the effects of a sedentary lifestyle are conveniently reversed without requiring vigorous, intense, or prolonged exercise.

Workplace wellness programs often involve employees going to corporate gyms or visiting offsite fitness centers or doing runs, walks or other preferred physical activities outside the office. These corporate wellness programs are widely accepted health promotion activities and organizational policies designed to support healthy behavior among employees in companies and organizations.

Instead of going outside the office or outdoors, instead of changing out of your work attire, instead of potentially messing up your make-up or hair, instead of wrinkling or perspiring in your work clothes, KAATSU technology presents the ultimate in convenience and effectiveness.

KAATSU enables workplace wellness to take place in work cubicles, offices and on business trips anywhere from hotels or airport lounges with its myriad portable products from the KAATSU Nano to the PERL Wearables.

Similar to standard corporate wellness programs that support healthy or motivated employees to exercise or conduct stress-reducing behavior that is considered a risk factor for poor health, either at on- or off-campus locations, KAATSU offers a unique, innovative means to obtain the benefits of everything from easy stretching to vigorous exercises within work cubicles and at the employee's desks as shown below:


Simple KAATSU exercises using KAATSU devices can be performed by anyone anywhere anytime, including in offices and work cubicles in addition to in hotels and airports during business trips.

Copyright © 2014 - 2022 by KAATSU Global

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

How Old Can You Do KAATSU? Can Children Use KAATSU?

Many parents and coaches have asked whether KAATSU is appropriate for teenagers and young children.

Fundamentally, the answer is yes.

However, it is the policy of KAATSU Global, Inc. to limit KAATSU's use to teenagers over the age of 13. Officially, KAATSU User Manuals state, "If you are under the age of 14, we recommend you do not use KAATSU." In the KAATSU Specialist training program, the guidelines state, "Do not use if you are under 14 years old."

These recommendations are due to a small number of overly ambitious adults who place KAATSU Air Bands on their children with too high pressures in the KAATSU Constant mode for much too long durations. In their zeal to see athletic success for their young children, parents and coaches occasionally believe "more is better" with KAATSU (as with other training modalities from their perspective). That is, a higher pressure is better than a lower pressure. Or the KAATSU Constant mode produces better results than the KAATSU Cycle mode. Or 60 minutes of KAATSU is better than 20 minutes of KAATSU.

None of these are true - and can be detrimental or, at the very least, sub-optimal to standard, proven-over-decades protocols of KAATSU:

* Primarily or exclusively use the Cycle mode
* Start off with low pressures and gradually, only incrementally increase the pressure
* Focus on the Progressive Cycle mode - continue to work through the deflation phases if you wish
* Limit the KAATSU Constant mode to 10 minutes
* Be very well hydrated before and during KAATSU
* Always - without failure - confirm your CRT (Capillary Refill Time) is short (ideally under 1 second and minimally under 3 seconds)
* Always see a pinkness and slight vein distention in the limbs where the KAATSU Air Bands are placed
* Always feel comfortable - never induce pain or lightheadedness - while doing KAATSU Cycle sets

If these guidelines are strictly followed, there are no physiological reasons why individuals younger than 14 should avoid using KAATSU.

For example, athletes younger than 14 can very effectively use KAATSU for recovery after workouts and between/after competitions, or for rehabilitation of bones breaks, ligament tears, tendon ruptures, lacerations, muscle strains or tears, or for jet lag mitigation.

Copyright © 2014 - 2022 by KAATSU Global

Monday, October 10, 2022

Recovery From A Marathon And Climate Change

Recovery is the great underutilized purpose of KAATSU, the Original BFR.

Used by elite athletes between preliminary heats, semifinal heats, and their final heats at the Olympic Games and World Championships, KAATSU recovery protocols are also used by high school and collegiate athletes after intense workouts and extreme sports athletes on multi-day competitions by Tour de France cyclists and stage swimmers (see Taking KAATSU To The Extreme here).

Another KAATSU user, United Nations Patron of the Oceans and British swimmer Lewis Pugh has long excelled at ice swimming, marathon swimming, stage swimming, channel swimming, and various sorts of extreme swimming.

His purpose?

To call attention to and effecting change in a changing marine environment.

From the bottom of the Earth to the North Pole, Pugh has done numerous environmental swims. Tomorrow on October 11th, he will start an unprecedented 160 km stage swim across the Red Sea from Saudi Arabia to Hurghada, Egypt, ahead of the UN Climate Conference (COP27) that will be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

He plans to finish on October 25th. His feat will require 15 days of non-stop swimming a bit over 10 kilometers each day. Recovery from each marathon swim of over 6.2 miles will be essential for his success.

His goal?

To pioneer The Red Sea Swim while highlighting the impact of climate change on coral reefs which supports essential biodiversity. He explains, "The Red Sea is home to some of the world's most biodiverse coral reefs, and the most resistant to climate change. The swim will highlight the speed of the Climate Crisis ahead of COP27, where all nations will be encouraged to drastically cut their emissions."

Pugh is calling for 30% of the world’s oceans to be protected by 2030.

Permissions to attempt this 2-week stage swim from Saudi Arabia to Egypt recently came through in October. Along the way, he will swim approximately 10 km every day and will pass Sharm el-Sheikh where world leaders will be gathering for COP27 in November.

Pugh will swim over some of the most precious coral in the world while avoiding the large tankers in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes leading to the Suez Canal and urging nations to drastically cut their emissions, to tackle the climate crisis, and protect the world’s oceans.

The International Marathon Swimming Hall of Famer explains, "Coral reefs support 25% of all ocean life and are the most biologically diverse ecosystem on Earth. If we lose our coral reefs, we will not just drive many thousands of species into extinction, we will lose an entire ecosystem, on which we depend. This would be unprecedented in human history. Coral reefs are the nurseries of our oceans, and home to some of the most incredible life on earth. I refuse to accept that we could lose them in my lifetime."

While he is best known for swimming in the coldest waters in the world in Antarctica, North Pole, and high up on Mount Everest, Pugh will now swim in very warm water. "I've been swimming in the world's oceans for 35 years, and during that time I've seen them change dramatically. The biggest changes I've seen are in the Polar Regions, and in coral reefs. Both are affected by rising temperatures: the poles are melting, and the coral is dying. Ice and coral are the Ground Zeros of the Climate Crisis. These changes are happening before our very eyes; as evidence of global warming, they are indisputable.

Scientists warn that if we heat our planet by more than 1.5°C, we will lose 70% of the world's coral reefs. If we heat it by 2°C, 99% of coral reefs will die. We are currently on track for at least 2.2°C increase."

UN Secretary General António Guterres calls the Climate Crisis "a code red for humanity". Pugh emphasizes that "coral reefs are the barometers that illustrate clearly what happens when we heat our planet. Every fraction of a degree now matters."

If ever an area needed to be properly protected, this is it. Half the world’s coral reefs are believed to have died since the 1950's due to warming sea temperatures, combined with overfishing, pollution and reef disturbance. Red Sea coral is different. Researchers have found that the coral in the Red Sea is more resilient to warming and acidification than coral in other places, such as the Great Barrier Reef, where bleaching events are increasingly common.

If temperatures continue to rise as predicted, the coral of the Red Sea could be the last surviving coral on earth, so it is imperative that we protect it from other threats."

The Lewis Pugh Foundation is partnered with HEPCA – the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association - to promote and organize his Red Sea Swim. HEPCA is a passionate and proactive network of scientists, professional divers, industry experts, and community members working to protect the resources of the Red Sea.

HEPCA are calling for the Great Fringing Reef of the Egyptian Red Sea to be declared a multiple-use protected area. There is clear scientific evidence that the Great Fringing Reef, which is characterized by high resilience and tolerance to climate change, could be the last refuge for coral reefs worldwide. One of HEPCA's projects is to reduce the pressure on the coral reefs around Hurghada, where the number of dives at some sites has reached more than 200,000 annually (the recommended carrying capacity is 5,000 - 22,000 dives in a single dive spot).

Marine Protected Areas (MPA's) make the oceans more resilient to climate change. At the UN Climate Conference (COP27) in Sharm el Sheikh this November, Lewis will call for 30% of the world’s oceans to be protected by 2030, stressing to world leaders the role healthy oceans play in mitigating against the Climate Crisis. He hopes government officials will move beyond long-term commitments towards immediate urgent action.

Lewis Pugh Foundation Partners

  • The United Nations Environment Programme coordinates responses to environmental issues within the United Nations system. Its programmes focus on climate, nature, pollution, and sustainable development. Lewis Pugh became UNEP Patron of the Oceans in 2014.
  • Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) is focussed on protecting the resources of the Red Sea.
  • The Ocean Agency is a strategic creative NGO working to accelerate ocean science and fast-track ocean conservation.
  • Legal and General Investment Management regularly voted one of the world's most sustainable investment managers. CEO Michelle Scrimgeour says, “The danger of a climate catastrophe is real. We are proud to support Lewis’s efforts to raise awareness and push for positive change. By working collaboratively with others in our industry, with companies and policymakers, we will see the rapid action needed to deliver the transition. Inaction is not an option."


In 2018, Pugh swam the length of the English Channel from Land's End to Dover calling for the UK to protect 30% of oceans by 2030. After the swim the UK become the first major economy to commit to this target, and urged other nations to do the same. To date, 128 nations have joined this call, making it the largest conservation drive in history.
The COP27 (UN Climate Change Conference) will be held November 7th - 18th in Sharm el Sheikh.

For more information on the Lewis Pugh Foundation, visit here.

For more information on The Red Sea Swim, visit here.

Photo courtesy of Steve Benjamin of the Lewis Pugh Foundation.

Copyright © 2014 – 2022 by KAATSU Global

Sunday, October 9, 2022

KAATSU at The Cutting Edge of Longevity at RAADFest

KAATSU Showcased at RAADFest in San Diego


KAATSU Global, the pioneer of the global Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) market, was demonstrated and exhibited at the RAADFest in San Diego, California on October 6th - 9th.  The theme of the conference - Come To The Cutting Edge of Your Longevity - fit very well with the physiological outcomes of KAATSU users - that included popular speaker, and two-time Olympic gymnast Stephen McCain.

KAATSU was one of a number of pioneers who are providing next-generation solutions for living longer and healthier.



On the heels of presentations made at the 37th World Congress of Sports Medicine under the guidance of Professor Yannis Pitsiladis, Chairman of the International Scientific Committee and member of the Medical and Scientific Commission of the International Olympic Committee, Steven Munatones and Pete Hogan will demonstrate and explain a host of KAATSU applications and protocols in the areas of athletic performance, rehabilitation, and recovery from training, competition, and jet lag. The new KAATSU B1 tubeless device, controlled by a smartphone app, was demonstrated to people of all ages and walks of life.

KAATSU Master Specialist Pete Hogan and Steven Munatones explained the groundbreaking effects of the Progressive KAATSU Cycle modality on metabolism, perceptual, mood and cognitive responses to resistance exercise and its practical applications with jet lag mitigation, rehabilitation, and post-exercise recovery.

The benefits of the KAATSU Cycle were recently published and contribute to the growing body of evidence of BFR (blood flow restriction). "It is gratifying to know that Professor Pitsiladis, Dr. Nikolaidi, Dr. Giannopoulou and Dr. Guppy are exploring the benefits and outcomes of the patented KAATSU Cycle modality and our proprietary protocols.  As they delve deeper into the advantages and profound simplicity of the KAATSU technology, their knowledge will help many others in Europe and around the world better understand the numerous applications that can improve athletic performance, rehabilitation, and recovery for elite, competitive and recreational athletes - and those of any age," said Munatones.

KAATSU is the world’s most intelligent automated pressure system for training, health, rehabilitation, and recovery. Invented in 1966 by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato of Tokyo, Japan, and protected by 47 patents, KAATSU next-generation equipment and protocols, including its progressive cycle modality, have a unique and unprecedented safety track record used in over 100 million individual KAATSU sessions in 49 countries around the globe.

For more information on the RAADFest, visit here.

Copyright © 2014 - 2022 by KAATSU Global