Is Dr. Stretch worth it?

9 comments

1. Dr Stretch is great, but I wouldn’t go there for a serious intense pain. I’d go see a real doctor instead.

2. Massagers/chiropractors/etc aren’t a good idea because they will make your injury worse and more expensive. You need to visit your GP to be sent to an orthopedic doctor and then maybe a physical therapist. Massagers/chiropractors/stretchers are not medical practitioners so their services are for non-injuries and relaxation only.

3. I made the mistake of trying these kinds of places when I had similar neck and back pain, severe enough that I couldn’t fully function in my daily life. They can be good for muscle fatigue, soreness from exercise, etc., but for actual medical issues they really don’t help.

   I would instead recommend visiting a seikeigeka 整形外科. They will Xray you to check you’ve not done any serious damage, and can prescribe effective anti-inflammatory and pain relieving medication. Worst case they can arrange for an injection into the site to provide immediate relief for intense pain whilst medication and/or physiotherapy does its job. This will also be much cheaper, I paid a few thousand yen for Xrays, consultations, drugs, etc.

4. Into visit is worth it, after that it’s rather overpriced.

5. Don’t mess around with your neck. Go see an orthopedist. It’s covered by insurance, so it should also be cheaper.

6. Stretching is great for preventing injuries, and an important part of rehabilitating some injuries. But you first need to know what the injury is, and work with a doctor plus physical therapist to figure out a solution. If you try to stretch it without knowing the damage you are just as likely to make it worse.

7. Go to your nearest well-trusted seikei-geka and have them check that out for you. A lot of places should be walk-in friendly. You’ll need to fill out a form when you first go so they can make a patient record for you. It’s possible you’d need an interpreter to help you go, which you might be able to find through your city/ward office. I know that some city/ward offices provide medical interpretation services for free through volunteers.

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   Your pain appears to be bordering on requiring medical attention, so I advise going to the seikei-geka and working on preventative care before you pinch a nerve somewhere and paralyze half your body. As long as you’re on insurance here, the seikei-geka won’t be expensive at all, MUCH cheaper than going to Dr. Stretch or any massage place. Last time I went to my seikei-geka for a twisted ankle, they did an x-ray, wrapped my foot, and prescribed pain medication for less than 2,000 yen (including the first visit fee). The medication itself was maybe 1,000 yen. Because healthcare in Japan is single-payer, the government decides the prices, not the clinics. So don’t worry too much about the price.

8. I did sessions at Dr. Stretch for about six weeks. Didn’t really help with the pain I was having, but it greatly improved my flexibility and it helped me transition into a good workout routine, which was what removed my pain entirely.

   You can do a trial session at Dr. Stretch for a rather good rate, I’d recommend giving it a go. The stretching was really painful sometimes but overall I enjoyed it. Meanwhile also go see a medical professional, and also watch your daily routines. You might have some weird mannerisms or postures that are leading to your pain. All the best.

9. Dr. Stretch is great! Most of the staff is pretty well trained, and the app is easy to use to make appointments. I would not go there if I had real pain, though. For prevention and overall well-being, though, it’s awesome.