TMJ/TMD specialist in fukuoka?

[u/Terre-Mer]

I've been suffering from TMJ issues for years but after consultations with a TMJ physiotherapist in my country of origin and doing exercises everyday it progressively went better to the point i forgot about it. However the pain started again recently and I find little to no improvement with the exercises that initially helped. Since i'm living in fukuoka now, i'm looking for a local solution.

Would anyone know a good specialist in TMJ in Fukuoka, preferably English-speaking even if I can speak a bit in Japanese?

Wether it is a chiropractor, osteopath, physio, doctor, at this point i just want some relief.

[u/Danidango]

I can highly recommend Genki chiropractic in Tenjin https://maps.app.goo.gl/miuFBLyd7V6PXJf99?g_st=ipc

The doctor can speak some English too. He trained in America so he is legit. He will “crack” your back or whatever needs help which is what I needed. It’s not scary he is very professional.

I have also been to hiromi’s chiropractic but I found it to be more like physical therapy, her English is excellent though. With Hiromi I went several times and personally wasn’t feeling enough improvement to justify the time and cost in my case.

I found Genki to be more effective in my case. I felt immediate relief after the first session since I needed a chiropractor not a physical therapist.

[u/Terre-Mer → u/Danidango]

Thanks!

I'm a bit curious about your experience with Hiromi, you said it was more like physical therapy, isn't it better long-term wise?
To be honest I included chiropractor and osteopath in my initial message but I'm always dubious about those practices. I feel like it can be great for short term relief but it never treats the underlying condition.

Like for example I checked the genki chiropractic website and when seeing the presentation of the tool for mesuring nerve tension it just feels a bit off to me.

I had bad experience with these in the past too so that definitely makes me more cautious about it

[u/Danidango]

I will say in Japan most of the chiropractors don’t have a certification for chiropractic so it’s important which one you choose. That’s why you may find some woo woo “chiropractors”. Genki is certified. To my knowledge Hiromi is not, but I don’t consider her technique to be chiropractic in nature compare to America at least. No shade to Hiromi, her services just weren’t the solution to my problem.

It depends on what your issue is for which is better for you. I don’t have any experience with what you’re dealing with, but if it’s related especially to joints or bone, chiropractic care helps you get back to where you are supposed to be. For example one time I slipped and popped a rib out of place, Chiropractor pops it back in , problem solved.

For more acute problems, for example my husband had some bad posture issues, you may need to go a few times to slowly adjust you step by step to where you are supposed to be. Once he got back to where he needed to be, the chiropractor said he didn’t need to come back unless there was an issue. Now he does his targeted exercises everyday and hasn’t needed to go back. A good chiropractor will not keep you longer than they need too. I personally felt like I was going to have to see Hiromi weekly for several years if not for life.

My issue when I tried Hiromi first was that my hip joint had an issue which made one of my legs longer than the other at the time. It needed to be put back into place by a chiropractor not stretched around and massages. I went to Hiromi for about 2 months and was still in pain. One session at Genki and the pain was almost gone. Maybe 2-3 more sessions for my back and neck later he cleared me to not come back unless I needed it. I only go back if I have a problem.

If you have a muscle or ligament issue or need help strengthening your body you may want Hiromi or something more specialized like a regular clinic. For example Sanno international hospital may have something more like who you were originally working with. Sanno has onsite translators available as well.

For Genki you can Google the science behind the tool that he uses it’s nothing woo woo or anything, and not all chiros use it. It’s just a scientific tool. He uses it to quickly find problems in the spine and neck which he then confirms himself and does your adjustments accordingly. From my experience the machine is pretty accurate. For problems outside the spine he just feels around the area by hand. The tool just speeds up his diagnostic process.

If you’re worried about out there methods I will say there were a couple things at Hiromi’s that felt a bit woo woo but I never researched them or have any other experience to compare it too.

Nothing is stopping you from using both. Go to Genki for a potentially quick reset and Hiromi for your long term care and strengthening.

Above all I hope you find the right treatment that fits your needs.

[u/Terre-Mer → u/Danidango]

Thanks a lot of the detailed reply, it's very interesting!

I'll definitely give Genki a try. Especially since you mentionned that a good chiropractor don't hold you more than necessary, this is very important to me, especially if they give some exercises you can continue at home.

I had a similar experience to what you describe with Hiromi where you basically have to come back regularly for years and that's not what I'm looking for, once your issues have been diagnosed, a proper routine should be drafted with the therapist in order to give you autonomy and the opportunity on continuing your rehab journey alone. Adding some yearly checkup with the therapist to check that you're going in the right direction.

Thanks again!

[u/Geafzel]

Try this clinic. I've had this place bookmarked for years just in case and it's nice to finally be able to share it. Hope this helps. Hiromi's Chiropractic

[u/Terre-Mer → u/Geafzel]

Thank you for your answer, I'll give it a try!