Research shows that people who wear tefillin, leather bands used in a Jewish religious practice which involves the tight wrapping of an arm with the bands, may receive cardiovascular health benefits. The study suggests those benefits are the result of ischemic or reduced blood flow preconditioning which produces protection from the damage caused by heart attacks. The use of tefillin dates back to scriptural commandments urging the faithful followers to comply with religious law and to "bind them as a sign upon your arm." Rubinstein says the binding of the arm and the discomfort users often report may serve as...
