69 Comments
User's avatar
Chris Busck's avatar

It seems to me, from reading your posts on RIC, that it might have potential for hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) management. My daughter is progressively becoming incapacitated by it, and while she has been recommended a course of Pilates therapy, she’s in so much pain from ordinary household chores, that I wonder if she’ll be able to handle it. I’m not looking for medical advice, only a reality check.

Ja.son's avatar

Would it be a bad idea to take some flush niacin while doing the set?

Live Life Not Behind Glass's avatar

What would be different between this and just practicing getting really good at holding your breath?

Loiseau's avatar

I want to try this and looked at automatic monitors like VitalTrack (around $100). But I think the automatic monitors automatically deflate--yes? The article says either manual or automatic can be used, but could we get a little instruction on how to keep the cuff inflated for 5 minutes?

Chris Busck's avatar

To do RIC with an automatic BP monitor you need to install a check valve (aka non return valve) in the tube between pump and cuff, and a release tap upstream (on the cuff side) of it. The tubing is normally 4 mm I.D. and will take a standard aquarium air pump check valve. On/off taps, tee joints and tubing, all 4mm ID, can be found in the garden irrigation section of hardware stores. They don’t carry check valves.

The check valve prevents loss of pressure. The tap enables the release of pressure at the end of each cycle. Works well. I’ll post a photo when I have time.

Don's avatar

This is the recommended BP unit to use for RIC, around $16 available on Amazon:

Dixie EMS Deluxe Aneroid Sphygmomanometer Blood Pressure Set W/Adult Cuff, Carrying Case and Calibration Tool - Black

Dr. Adiel Tel-Oren's avatar

If your systolic bp is 120, your choice is 170 OR 200, according to this summary. If it's 100, you select 150 or 200. Something obvious is missing in these instructions, such as "whichever is lower"? (If your systole is above 150 you stay at 200, but if below 150 you just add 50...); or "whichever is higher"? (If systole is lower than 150, select 200 consistently). Please clarify.

Carol's avatar

Tried this today (59 female, healthy) went up to 200, couldn’t do it, 140 is my number. Husband 69 & healthy did it 5 times with no issues @ 200.

Pam's avatar

It is difficult for me to believe that the delicate and vital lymphatic system is not being damaged with this procedure.

ABIGAIL REPORTS's avatar

Not just seniors, every age.

The FDA warns seniors to avoid this vaccine after deadly complications.

https://www.foxnews.com/health/fda-warns-seniors-avoid-vaccine-after-deadly-complications

Adults over the age of 60 are recommended not to get the chikungunya vaccine to prevent the mosquito-borne illness due to two related deaths, according to the FDA and CDC.

PghPatty's avatar

Hi Dr. Yoho, just to clarify - the protocol is to do five sets per day: (5 min RIC, 5 min rest) X 5. So it would take a person 25 minutes. Do this every day, 7 days per week, or 5 days per week? Thanks.

Robert Yoho, MD's avatar

with the rests 50 min

Nama Paula's avatar

& super far off topic….

If y’all have constipation “issues,” how about reading up on Baobab via Scott Marsland’s Substack article titled “Lightening Bug?!” Seems a lot more of a practical living hack to actually try that vs cutting off circulation to gain a performance edge. … Just sayin’

I do not mean any offense to anyone ‼️❤️🙏

Nama Paula's avatar

Omgosh! This all has my 77 yo brain going a bit off the rails!!

Lots of serious brain work fully acknowledged; however….‼️🤭

Again my age speaking , how about a walk in the woods with a friend?!!!❤️🙏

Loretta's avatar

My kind of friend. ;-)

Diane's avatar

The idea of complete occlusion freaks me out for some reason :). I suspect Kaatsu, even without exercise would give similiar, if less intense benefits.

Robert Yoho, MD's avatar

limbs survive 10 hours of occlusion

Diane's avatar

That's crazy! Thank you. i didn't know that.

DAM on the beach's avatar

I believe Dr Joseph Mercola is a proponent of this also.

Den Arto's avatar

Is there any recommendation to slowly work up to this? Number and length sessions? Seems like just jumping into that much might not be good for weaker constitutions.

Den Arto's avatar

Do you think this is the similar kind of physiological response that one gets from doing cold baths, or when one does breath holding in Wim Hof breathing? Putting the body under a brief stress which stimulates it to respond/rebound in a way that strengthens its systems.

And of course I have to liken it to a medicine pushing the vital force in one direction and when it wears off the vital force rebounds in the opposite direction. In the case of a "homeopathic" prescription where the medicine causes similar effects to the entire disease on all levels, mental, emotional and physical, the rebound is towards cure.

Jennie Gibson's avatar

The automatic BP cuff I have quickly deflates after determining the BP. How does one use a. Automatic to do RIC?

Go west's avatar

Use a chip bag clamp?🤷🏻‍♀️

Don's avatar

I had the same question. This is what it is, around $16 on Amazon:

Dixie EMS Deluxe Aneroid Sphygmomanometer Blood Pressure Set W/Adult Cuff, Carrying Case and Calibration Tool - Black