View Health:Alternative Health
Alternative health treatments are very popular amongst Western women in Japan, many of whom seek them here for the first time, often after facing the conventional Japanese medical system and realising that complementary medicine better suits their needs. Western women visit alternative health practitioners for a variety of physiological and psychological reasons. Being unable to pinpoint what is wrong, but feeling out of balance seems to be common. Living in a foreign country, a change in diet, and an increase in stress all add to a feeling of imbalance. Alternative therapies are ideal for these complaints, as they are holistic in nature and aim to return your body to a balanced state.
There are many alternative health practitioners throughout Japan. Whether or not the practitioner speaks English, you will probably find their approach more personal, thorough, and enjoyable when compared with conventional doctors in Japan. There are a wide variety of treatments to choose from, including yoga, shiatsu, reiki, acupuncture, tai chi, and moxabustion. Prices tend to vary and in some cases can seem rather expensive. Expect to pay in the region of ¥10,000 for an hour’s treatment, but bear in mind that a two-hour wait followed by a five-minute consultation with a conventional doctor could cost the same and leave you feeling dissatisfied. Most alternative health practitioners do not accept health insurance, so check beforehand.