Any chiropractors that accept national health insurance in the Tokyo area?

Seems like all the chiropractors I’ve found don’t accept insurance. Just want to be sure there aren’t any out there before I pay full price somewhere.

8 comments
  1. Chiropractic is not recognised by the main medical system in Japan, but traditional bone-setters (seitai?) are.

    As someone whose worked in back rehab (which moved away from its chiropractic background), I will say that such manipulation only provides temporary relief and does not deal with the underlying issues, such as posture, poor feet, weak muscles and lifestyle issues relating to the ergonomics of your chairs, bed, etc…

    Find someone who will go beyond the most obvious issue if you want to actually resolve the problem.

  2. Only bonesetters are considered actual medical professionals who can bill insurance. Chiros are just masseuses who occasionally kill people.

  3. I hope not.

    Knowing the government is using my hard earned money in fake medicine would be upsetting.

  4. Most chiropractors accept insurance, but you have to relate your pain to your job for that. For instance, neck or back pain could be due to your posture while working your desk job, and could now make it difficult to perform your work. Unless you say these magic words, you get to pay out of your own pocket, but once you do you can go back for months.

    Always refuse the cracking of the neck. It’s useless and very dangerous. People die.

  5. There’s a lot of term confusion that happens whenever this comes up.

    No **chiropractor** can accept insurance. It’s not recognized in Japan as medicine.

    *seikotsuin* 整骨院 can. It’s a *different pseudo-science* thing with some relation to Judo. If you’re experiencing an acute bout, it’s a great way to get some massage done.

    *seikeigekka* 整形外科学 or sports medicine can do the real deal of fixing problems. It is covered by insurance.

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