I woke up this morning feeling about the same as the night before. I could walk and sit, but both were very uncomfortable. The only comfortable position was laying flat on my back. After deciding I needed to see someone about my back, my husband did a little online research. He asked me if I wanted to see an orthopedist or a chiropractor. I felt like the orthopedist would just prescribe me pain meds, while the chiropractor wouldn't fix the problem either but would at least do something about it. So, I opted for the chiropractor.
I was happy to learn the chiropractor's office was closer to our house than the orthopedist, so at least it meant less walking. He made an appointment at 11 am for me.
My family walked to the appointment with me. We didn't know if the doctor could speak English, so my husband needed to come just in case.
We found the office very easily. The front was cheerful and inviting, with a bright green sign showing us to the door at the bottom of a steep ramp.
Inside the office, we removed our shoes and put on the universal Japanese slippers that are found in most doctor's offices and other businesses (if they require shoes to be removed). I looked around and thought to myself that I didn't think the office had been updated since the 1950's. The staff wore light pink dresses with cinched waists like nurses wore long, long ago. The only thing missing was the little hat. The doctor wore a white smock with the side buttons and dark pants. The equipment looked outdated as well.
But I had walked all that way. I just wanted some relief. I was willing to give this guy a chance.
My husband filled out the form on my behalf. It was a standard form asking how long I had been in pain, what I was doing when I first felt it, and where it hurt. In the meantime, my son tried to figure out if he was a fan of the full size skeleton in the reception area or not. He finally decided it was funny and took a photo of it. After a few minutes, they called me back into the exam room.
There were 5 beds dispersed throughout the room, partitioned by curtains. My husband and son sat on one bed while I stood near a different bed. The doctor came and asked me several questions, which my husband translated for me. I would guess that the doctor is in his mid-60's, which in Japan means he is typically much older than that. He was cheerful, kind, and warm. He had great bedside manner and always spoke to me, even though my husband translated everything. It is something small, but always so appreciated. He explained he was going to treat me with tape and acupuncture. If he thought it would help, I was game to try it.
He used a machine that I have no idea what it was for where I held a little metal disc in my left hand while he touched various places on my body with a little wand. The machine told him numbers that he noted on my form. Then, he did a little bit of acupressure before placing the tape in various spots on my back and chest.
Then he did a bit of acupuncture. Everything he did brought more and more relief. At the very end, he put a needle in my leg just below my knee while I was standing. All of a sudden I got really, really dizzy. I needed to lay down for a bit.
Once I felt better, I was able to stand up and I was ready to go home. The doctor told me "This is not a cure. Time cures this type of pain." However, he was able to bring me some relief and I didn't have to take medicine to feel that relief.
I would not have classified this doctor's practice as chiropractic. Instead, he combined several alternative medicine techniques to help me out. I really appreciated his care and treatment. Just like he said, I am not cured. I am still loving my ice pack and feel the most comfortable laying down. However, I am not in nearly as much pain as I was yesterday and this morning. For that, I am grateful.
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