Receive 15% off any of our massage services with our amazing Therapist Naomi.
To take advantage of this offer click the image below to go to our booking page. The offer is available until Sunday the 19th of May 2024.
Click this image
Your guide to insurance reimbursement at Okinawa Sports and Spinal
“Can I claim for my physical therapy, chiropractic and massage expenses at your clinic?”
The short answer is usually yes if you have international insurance such as foreign service benefit plans (FSBP) like those from Aetna, Cigna Health, Blue Cross or other medical insurance company plans covering DoDEA staff, GS and NAF employees, and defence contractors.
Many of our clients have found the process very easy over the last few years by simply submitting our receipts for reimbursement from their insurance provider through online portals. We are happy to provide item and treatment codes on receipts if needed when you let us know what insurance company you are with.
We are unable to accept Tricare and Japanese national health insurance (NHI) claims. You are most welcome to pay out of pocket to use our expert services.
We can provide receipts for claims on most travel insurances for tourists and visitors.
If you would like to know more about claiming for chiropractic, physical therapy, and massage services we recommend you first contact your insurance provider for more information.
Ariel Thorpe has been by far our most popular Chiropractor at Okinawa Sports and Spinal and she returns this Saturday the 30th of March until the 4th of April.
If you would to book a Chiropractic appointment with Ariel, an American trained Chiropractor, at Okinawa Sports and Spinal you can do so on the link below.
https://niseko-chiropractic.cliniko.com/bookings?business_id=94455
The Okisports and Spinal team will be having a meeting on Friday the 22nd of March on Kourie island to plan how to improve our service so the clinic will be closed on this day.
We will be re-open from Saturday the 23rd of March.
For appointments with an English speaking Physical therapist, Chiropractor or Sports Massage therapist please use our online booking service.
www.okisportsandspinal.com/appointments
Okinawa Sports and Spinal will re-open on the 4th of January 2024.
We are taking a break visiting family back in Australia and Brent is also working up in the Niseko Ski season over this period.
Kerry, Naomi and Brent would also like to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Xmas, happy new year and thank you very much for your support over the last 6 months as we set up the first multidisciplinary off-base in clinic in Okinawa.
If you would like to schedule an appointment in the new year please go to
www.okisportsandspinal.com/appointnments
Headaches are a universal human experience, with various types causing discomfort and disrupting daily life. In this article Okinawa Sports and Spinal aims to delve into the most common types of headaches and explore how manual therapies, including Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, and Massage, can provide relief.
A headache is defined as pain or discomfort in the head or neck region. The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) categorizes headaches into primary and secondary types. Primary headaches, such as tension-type, migraine, and cluster headaches, are not associated with other medical conditions. Secondary headaches result from another condition, like sinusitis or head injury.
Before your headaches are treated at Okinawa sports and Spinal it’s important that we understand what type of Headache you have as this will affect the treatment modalities are best suited to your condition.
Tension-type headaches are the most common type, affecting people of all ages. They are characterized by a dull, persistent pain that feels like a tight band around the head. Stress, poor posture, and muscle tension contribute to their onset.
Tension headaches also respond best to manual therapy and are the most common types of headaches that we treat at Okinawa Sports and Spinal.
Migraines are recurrent, severe headaches often accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, light sensitivity, and visual disturbances. They result from abnormal brain activity and can be triggered by various factors, including hormonal changes, certain foods, and stress.
If you are getting an ” Aura ” where you can see flickering dots and disturbed vision before your headaches, not responding to standard headache medication like paracetamol, are one sided and really ” put you out of action ” it’s likely that you have a migraine rather than just tension headaches and these need to managed a little differently than tension headaches.
Although migraines are believed to be primarily vascular we have found that neck issues are often a contributing factor.
These ones are nasty !
Cluster headaches are excruciatingly painful headaches that occur in clusters or cycles. They often involve one-sided pain around the eye and are accompanied by symptoms like nasal congestion and eye watering.
The pain is often described as ” the worst imaginable ” and also tend to affect males more commonly than females.
The evidence for manual therapies for the management of cluster headaches is less than tension and cervicogenic headaches but we have had some positive results.
Sinus headaches result from inflammation of the sinuses, often due to allergies or infections. They are characterized by pain in the forehead, cheekbones, and bridge of the nose.
If you are suffering from congestion and tenderness over the cheekbone, have a history of allergies or recent infections sinus headaches are strong possibility.
When we see Sinus headaches at Okinawa Sports and Spinal we also need address the underlying cause of the inflammation. Using a salt water ” Neti pot ” is also a good co- management strategy here.
Our Chiropractor and Physical therapist also do Sinus work and some pressure work over the cranials bones as well.
Cervicogenic headaches originate from the cervical spine and result in pain that radiates to the head. Poor posture, neck injuries, or cervical spine issues can contribute to their onset.
These respond very well to Chiropractic and Physical therapy mobilizations in the upper thoracic spine.
It’s also important to address some lifestyle and postural changes when you suffer from Cervicogenic headaches. Having a work desk ergonomics assessment is good idea and also taking regular breaks from sitting have been shown to make an improvement in the frequency and duration of cervicogenic headaches.
Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. Chiropractors use manual adjustments to restore joint function and alleviate pain.
Physical therapy involves exercises, stretches, and other interventions to improve musculoskeletal function and reduce pain.
Massage therapy involves hands-on manipulation of muscles and soft tissues to enhance relaxation and alleviate pain.
Headaches are complex, multifactorial conditions that can significantly impact the quality of life. Manual therapies used down at Okinawa Sports and spinal including Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, and Massage, offer valuable approaches to managing and alleviating various types of headaches. While the evidence supporting these therapies is promising, individual responses may vary, and a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach is often recommended for optimal results.
If you suffer from chronic headaches, it’s crucial to consult with healthcare professionals to determine the most suitable treatment plan for your specific needs. By understanding the nuances of each headache type and the potential benefits of manual therapies, individuals can make informed decisions on their journey to headache relief and improved well-being.
Okinawa Sports and Spinal is well experienced in the management of headaches and we would love the chance to help you in Okinawa manage your headaches.
If you would like to make a booking click the link below
Asia Physio now provides custom bike fitting at Okinawa Sports and Spinal.
Click the link below to book your bike fit and get riding this winter
Okinawa Sports and Spinal is offering 20% off Sports Massages with Naomi Matheson until the 27th of October.
Sports massage differs from relaxation massage in that it is deep pressure target at specific muscles to better aid recovery and increase your performance.
As well as offering Sports Massage in Okinawa Naomi also has experience in pregnancy massages and can also do relaxation massage upon request as well.
I just wanted to drop in and remind you how important it is to show yourself some compassion and self–care.
While we recommend forms of self–care at Okinawa Sports and Spinal in the forms of Massage; Chiropractic and Physical Therapy there are other simple things that you can do to simple stop and slow down. Like take a walk outdoors; go for a swim, read a book, listen to your favourite music or whatever grounds you.
In a world where productivity and outcomes tend to be our evaluation of our own self-worth, I want to remind you that “you are enough”. Don’t allow the speed and noise of the outside world trap you into believing anything less.
My guide to booking your appointment.
Massage is my eyes is a holistic approach to physical care. When you visit me for massage I will ask general questions about your current physical status – how you’re feeling? Is there anything limiting your day-to-day life/ physical training? Not that there needs to be anything wrong – but I care, and I want to help you get the most out of your massage session.
Please never think that you should wait until you are feeling pain to make an appointment to have a massage. Prevention is better than cure. Maintenance is the best form of self–care and ensure your body is functioning at its best.
Quick guide:
30min appointment – 1 specific problem – very focused – not my preference as a therapist. As I like to work on both sides of the body.
45min appointment – 1-2 specific problems that you want to work on. I personally struggle with providing a 45 min massage as I want to provide a balanced treatment.
60min appointment – my favourite – maintenance 1 -3 areas of concern. We have time to work through both sides of the body and provide a balance assessment and treatment.
90min session – I’ve been neglecting my body for far too long and need a complete overhaul.
Ariel will be establishing in new clinic in Tokyo so hopefully some of my long suffering Tokyo clients may be very happy to hear to this and we will keep you up to date with new developments in Tokyo but in the meantime she will be briefly joining the Okinawa sports and Spinal team for one week from the this Thursday the 28th to help manage the growing demand. It will be her first trip to Okinawa so I hope you can help make her feel welcome.
Ariel is also available for weekend appointments on the 30th Sept and 1st of October for those juggling the pressure of the 9 to 5 grind or sharing child care duties.
She ran a private practice in San Francisco for 5 years before returning to her childhood home of Hong Kong in 2020, where she joined a multi-doctor practice. She recently moved to Tokyo with her partner and two cats. She will open a new practice there this fall.
Outside of chiropractic, Ariel is an avid trail runner, ultramarathoner, and cyclist. She is enjoying the challenge of learning Japanese and exploring this beautiful country on foot and bike.
May 1, 2024
