How to find a chiropractor in Japan
- 執筆者
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竹谷内啓介東京カイロプラクティック院長
日本カイロプラクターズ協会会員
RMIT大学健康科学部カイロプラクティック学科卒業。国際カイロプラクティック試験委員会顧問、日本カイロプラクターズ協会（JAC）会長、世界カイロプラクティック連合（WFC）理事を歴任し、現在は日本カイロプラクターズ協会顧問として、国際標準のカイロプラクティック教育や臨床の普及および日本カイロプラクティック科学学会での研究事業に携わる。主な共訳：カイロプラクティックの安全性と教育に関するWHOガイドライン（世界保健機関）、カイロプラクティックテクニック総覧（エンタプライズ）、脊椎のリハビリテーション（エンタプライズ）など。
1. About ‘Tokyo Chiropractic’
- Second-generation and third-generation chiropractors run Tokyo Chiropractic in Aoyama, taking over family’s practice founded in 1949.
- Dr Kei Takeyachi, Director of Tokyo Chiropractic and Executive Advisor of the Japanese Association of Chiropractors (JAC), is involved with global chiropractic organizations.
- Dr Nobuyoshi Takeyachi is a former Lecturer of Tokyo College of Chiropractic and past Executive Director of the Japanese Association of Chiropractors.
- Dr Kei Takeyachi actively works towards establishing chiropractic regulation in Japan that aligns with WHO educational standards.
2. What is Chiropractic Care
- A natural, conservative, drug-free, non-surgical health care approach.
- Focuses on the relationship between spinal structure and nervous system function.
- Treatment centers on spinal manipulations/adjustments to restore function and support natural healing.
- Common use: back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint pain, as well as prevention and general musculoskeletal health.
- Practiced in 90+ countries; WHO provides training and safety guidelines.
3. How Chiropractic in Japan differs from other countries
- Japan has no legal regulation of chiropractic.
- Chiropractors cannot take X-rays or make formal medical diagnoses.
- There are 20,000+ so-called chiropractic practitioners, but only about 800 meet WHO educational standards.
- Qualified practitioners are mostly graduates of Tokyo College of Chiropractic (RMIT University Chiropractic Unit-Japan) or overseas schools.
- Despite the lack of regulation, the patient experience (treatment style) is similar to other countries.
4. Access to Chiropractic in Japan
- No referral required; chiropractors have primary contact status for patients.
- They can assess conditions but must avoid official medical diagnostic terms due to healthcare laws.
- Unlike in the US, Canada, or Australia, chiropractic care is not covered by national health insurance.
5. Massage and Chiropractic
- Massage/Shiatsu is a licensed profession in Japan.
- Chiropractors cannot legally perform massage unless they hold a massage/shiatsu license.
- Some chiropractors may provide soft-tissue mobilization techniques.
6. Cost of Chiropractic Care in Japan
- Typical session in average: 3,000–10,000 yen
- Initial exam in average: +1,000–8,000 yen
- Not covered by national insurance; some overseas private insurance may reimburse.
7. How to Find a Reputable Chiropractor
- Use the Japanese Association of Chiropractors (JAC) directory.
- JAC lists chiropractors who meet WHO standards and includes clinics with English-speaking practitioners.
- The list of the JAC certified offices where you can find English-speaking practitioners is also available in English.
8. Advice for Expats in Japan
- Chiropractic is popular and often effective in Japan, despite a lack of regulation. The Japan Chiropractic Register (JCR) has a self-regulatory system for chiropractors who meet WHO educational standards, that affiliated with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).
- Choosing a JAC-certified chiropractor ensures proper education, ethics, and safety.
- For English support, consult the JAC office or contact Tokyo Chiropractic directly.
