I was speaking with a physical therapist today who talked about the challenges massage therapists and other manual therapy practitioners have when it comes to keeping themselves healthy. Tendonitis, tendonosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other repetitive strain injuries are potentially career-ending issues. This is a completely different kind of “manual” labour (pun intended) and staying healthy is a must.
Where KAATSU May Help
It’s been established through research that KAATSU use leads to a decrease in inflammation. Specifically, levels of C-Reactive Protein (a common marker of inflammation) decrease after using KAATSU in Cycle mode. The increases in circulation and vasodilation experienced with KAATSU use help the body’s own healing mechanisms to reduce the inflammatory processes. Below is a video from Dr. Peter Lansbury where he describes how his severly arthritic elbow and sore shoulders improved after 2-3 months of KAATSU use. He went from not being able to legibly sign his name on a cheque to delivering an 30-minute-long whiteboard lecture.
My introduction to KAATSU was through a chiropractor who was treating me for a torn Achilles tendon that resulted from chronic inflammation. He told me I should consider KAATSU because it would improve circulation to my tendon and thereby help keep inflammation under control, potentially preventing another tear. I’ve been a faithful KAATSU user since then, using KAATSU after martial arts training sessions to reduce inflammation. I haven’t used an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) after practice since I started using KAATSU.
For manual therapists, using KAATSU in Cycle mode to help warm up the arms before treating patients, or using it over a lunch break, or perhaps again at the end of the day to help the body, arms, wrists, and hands recover from a long day of treatments may be a valuable tool to help keep inflammation at bay and keep one’s body healthy. Healing the healers through KAATSU wasn’t something I’d thought of when we started KAATSU Canada, but I think it’s something therapists should consider for their own self-care, and for their overall job and career satisfaction.
Disclaimer: KAATSU protocols have not been evaluated by Health Canada. KAATSU is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and its use should be evaluated by your own physician before use.