Chiropractor visit costs $5

In the US, going to see a chiropractor or doctor would cost a minimum of $25 per visit, but in Japan seeing a chiropractor costs me about 500 yen (approx. $5). Seeing a doctor, well, it depends on if he or she's a specialist or not. But in general these visits are cheaper than the ones I had in the States. Also, the fact that I had a pre-existing condition doesn't seem to affect anything here in Japan.

I'm a little afraid to go back to the US, as I don't have insurance there and, if something happens, things could get complicated. In the US, my family has always had to fight with the insurance company to get coverage on anything more than a co-pay ($25)--and this was the insurance provided by the city. In Japan, there hasn't been any fighting for me thus far, and I can see any doctor I want. I don't have to check to see if he's "on my plan." My family in the US has had trouble getting the medical care they need because the doctor who specializes in such-and-such area doesn't isn't on their insurance plan.

I hope the US will give its citizens and legal residents better health care in the near future.

Amanda
Japan
Texas

I love going to the chiropractor in Japan

I love going to the chiropractor in Japan. He usually starts me off with about five minutes on a massage bed. Then, he briefly massages my upper body to help me relax before finally "adjusting" my neck and back. And if I'm in need of extra care, I can also have other treatments such as acupuncture and electrotherapy. All for a whopping 500 yen! You gotta love Japan.

Jeremy Berg
Miyazaki-ken
California