Chiroprac without the Crack!

In all started in early 2010 when I went to my fav beautician in Perth for a back massage and she informed me that my back was severely misaligned – great. I trotted off to the chiro in Karratha hoping for a quick fix. 10mins later I was realigned and feeling good. I went back every 6 weeks for a “tune up” and all was well…

After 4 months of no “tune up” I googled “chiropractor, Yokohama” and found the Ligare Chiropractic Centre just near Yokohama station – winner! When I arrived on Thursday night, I slipped off my shoes and put on the guest slippers and sat in the entrance for a while inhaling the incense-scented steam they had chuffing around. Yuki-san then emerged with “I speak not much English, but…” ok… great… what could go wrong?

I changed into their pants and shirt they had in the room (thankfully I must have got a man’s outfit, as it fit me), and then we talked about my tight neck and stiff lower back. He asked what treatment I’d had before and was horrified to hear that I was realigned without massage… oops. He was also shocked that a 10min session cost $50 (that’s Karratha buddy!). Anyway he got to work… apparently my left hip was incorrectly rotated and my right shoulder was significantly higher than my left… delightful – fix it! He did not crack my lower back once but did about 20mins of butt stretches, rotations, thigh stretches whilst digging into pressure points… I was having flashbacks to my childhood of monthly visits to the Sport OT where he’d stretch you until you cried (happy dancing memories). Anyway I stood up at the end of and wahla – loose as a goose!

The next target was my tight neck, which had been subject to excessive backpack use in Kyoto and on the weekly runs home from work. I thought I’d get a nice neck massage to grind out the knots… not so – he dug his thumb into my armpit and pressed soooo hard in there for 10mins on each arm whilst he flipped my arm around, rotating it and stretching it in different directions. I was close to tears but animated but his commentary “oh dear”, “you very tight”, “not good”… Once I regained motor functions I stood up to find that I was a big pile of jelly – awesome! He did then crack my neck which was misaligned but not before doing some more pressure point work.

The torture, I mean, session, lasted 1 hour and was 5,500 Yen ($65… fully reimbursable with our overseas healthcare). The only downside was I was the release of toxins gave me a headache all of Friday :( I’m sending Kept Ninja for treatment next week… he might have to take his own change of clothes :)

The next day we met up with Rod and some of his workmates in Ebisu for drinks and a few nibbles. We passed a summer parade, which had about 50x 50yr old ladies doing a traditional Japanese dance under the lantern stage to the music of the drum and some flutes.

Summer Celebrations in Ebisu

We’re conserving energy for the rest of the weekend – might head into Tokyo to look at some kitchen appliances – but otherwise we are prepping for the arrival of Louise next Saturday – bring – it – on! :)

Xoxo

Karate Kate