76 Comments
User's avatar
Moe's avatar

Nice! Something we can do at home that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, nor scary risks (for the majority).

Don's avatar

Have there been any reports of blood clots forming from stopping blood flow?

Curious Outlier's avatar

Not in normal healthy folks. I will be doing a frequently ask questions in the next article on this subject. I will be covering that question more in detail. Peripheral vascular disease a x hypercoagulability disorders an are the biggest problem.

Msalman's avatar

Great to know. Do you know of any additional risks for people who have internal hardware from past broken bones etc?

Curious Outlier's avatar

Update on question. Since your question, I have read through many studies and I have not found any evidence that people with health conditions like post, stroke and post heart attack have negative effects from RIC. On the contrary, they significantly benefit from RIC

Don's avatar

Thank you.

Birol Say's avatar

I have used sitting on the floor with knees bent and feet under buttocks method for post MI and pre PTCA for total occlusions. This was also very effective.

Don's avatar

Thank you! Been waiting . . . 😀

Tony Leveling's avatar

Interesting post. I have been using Kaatsu bfr bands for a couple of years now. See https://kaatsu.com/ for more information. Thank you for all you’ve done!!!

PS: The web address has loads of testimonials, the history of bfr by an early developer, and general information about benefits.

Julissa's avatar

Wow, never heard of these. Went to the site and that's pretty pricey! Will have to read up on them. Thanks for mentioning this

Curious Outlier's avatar

A simple blood pressure cuff will work for this procedure. About $16 on Amazon.

Julissa's avatar

I see that those cuffs are for use while training. I'm more interested in doing the RIC method. Thanks so much

Sk4vrddw@protonmail.com's avatar

I got my bp cuff, and did 5 cycles this morning. Wow...its a very interesting sensation when you release the pressure after the first 5 minutes of pressure. Its fairly intense pressure I must say, but when you release it you can feel the tingling and heat sensation of blood flow back into the hand.

I'm glad to have something to do so inexpensively at home that may really be of great benefit.

Thank you.

Ross S's avatar

Okay, I didn’t understand what this process is supposed to do?!?! I read the article twice. Am I missing something? It’s supposed to have some kind of benefit, but what exactly? What’s it good for? Sorry, but that part seemed glossed over.

Lesley's avatar

Would using this on the ankles have an added benefit of improving blood flow up the legs among people with poor venous return and even varicose veins?

And is this fundamentally similar to ECPP?

Curious Outlier's avatar

This would not be the same thing or similar to ECPP. there are currently no clinical trials that have evaluated RIC with regard to chronic venous insufficiency.

Frank Siciliano's avatar

Amazing! Thanks for all your awesome research. My husband had a stroke in 2023 and I'm wondering if it could help him. He hasn't been able to swallow since then but other than a little left-sided weakness, we are very blessed. I'd still love to see him be able to eat again.

Ja.son's avatar

I’ve done through 2 blood pressure cuffs since starting RIC. I’m trying to be very gentle the way I inflate and deflate but I can’t get it right. I’m using the Amazon blood pressure cuff you linked @Curious Outlier … Any thoughts. I don’t want to spend 20 bucks every month or so (although it is worth it)…

Curious Outlier's avatar

I've had the same one and have been using it the entire time every day.

What part of it is failing for you?

Ja.son's avatar

I think the balloons. I can hear air passing and it starts losing pressure. I’m clearly doing something wrong

Curious Outlier's avatar

Put in a lure lock. I’ll send you a link.

Ja.son's avatar

I’m also wondering if it’s too loose causing me to over pressurize it. Do you wrap and unwrap it each time? I was previously just sliding it on constantly

Simo369's avatar

Can I do it before a unilateral mastectomy for bc? How many days before should I start? Thx

Curious Outlier's avatar

You can do it before and If it was me, I would start as soon as possible.

Simo369's avatar

Thank you. So I can do it once a day for a week before surgery. Should I do it also afterwards? Thx

Curious Outlier's avatar

If it was me, I would do the RIC protocol before and after surgery. Just make sure you do not use the arm on the side where the mastectomy was perform.

Simo369's avatar

Why after too? And for how long? Thanks

Curious Outlier's avatar

Remote ischemic conditioning can improve improves recovery times when performed chronically before and after surgery.

Simo369's avatar

Always on the right arm since I'm having the op on the left breast, right? Thanks

Steve Amar's avatar

You mention an automatic blood pressure cuff can be used and to keep the pressure at 200 for 5 minutes. My auto machine will not let me keep the pressure on, as it starts releasing pressure immediately. I also can't force it to go up to 200. Any advice?

Curious Outlier's avatar

You could buy a manual cuff, but if you wanted to use your automatic blood pressure cuff, you could push the button, let it pump up to maximum inflation and then clamp the tube when it tries to deflate. Clamp for five minutes and then unclamp for five minutes and then repeat. There are a number of things that I could think of that you could use to clamp the tubing.

ed middelkoop's avatar

Hoi, I regularly have heart rhythm problems and don't take blood thinners. Can I still take it?

Henri's avatar

As mentioned, not to be recommended for those with PVD - peripheral vascular disease (also known as PAD - peripheral arterial disease). Trouble is, you can have this and not know that you have, which was my situation until my seemingly unrelated symptoms were explained to me.

FYI, some signs might be:

- hair loss on legs-thighs or shins/calf (poor blood supply starves the follicles)

- cold feet and or toes

- finding pain in calf muscles when walking or jogging and that it goes away after a minutes rest, but starts up again on exertion.

If you have these symptoms, consider getting a scan. I found I had heart disease also after doing this.

william's avatar

Great info.....thanks for your efforts!! Question....can this protocol be used if one has severe carpal tunnel pain one side and medium on the other....possibly exacerbated by torn rotator cuff tendons in shoulders....thank you

william's avatar

Thanks for the reply....will possibly give it a go going forward and will report back with result. thanks again..,Your well researched articles and obvious empathy towards a more natural and balanced approach to health and healing is much appreciated..cheers

Curious Outlier's avatar

I have read a significant amount of literature about remote ischemic conditioning, and I have never seen any contraindication involving carpal tunnel syndrome or nerve issues contraindicating its use.

Leigh's avatar

When lowering the pressure research says to lower gradually by 2-3mm per second, asking for advice for safety after the 5 mins.