No More Crack: Japan Cures My Back Pain!

I'm stingy, love bargain shopping and brag when I find a deal. But you probably already know that about me. What you might not know, however, is that everyday I stretch my neck, hear it crack twice and feel my shoulders pull. My yoga teacher used to tell me that I carry my life's stress in my upper back, and don't exhale it out.

This dull ache that is created in that region never goes away, so much so that I hardly notice it anymore. In a way, it has become a part of me. I encounter many people with similar scenarios. The pain isn't strong enough to take action, so they are content with shoving it to the back of their minds, living with it, and then all together forgetting about it...Until the daily crack leaves a lingering soreness.

Today my morning crack made me ask myself a question: How long has this been going on? My joints have never been nimble but surely I didn't experience these pangs my entire young adulthood.

I think mine started when I came to Japan, at the age of 22. That's when I can recall consistently thinking that I had a stiff neck.

I think Japan has phenomenonal health care for minor sicknesses, aches and pains. So today I decided to take action and go to a back clinic. For the cost of 13 USD with insurance I enjoyed 30 minutes of treatment.

Picture this: A bell sounds and three patients lie face down and electric pulses resound through their back for 10 minutes. what a cool feeling.

Then the bell sounds again, three new patients take your place, and you are taken to your pressure point massage, done by a back specialist.

20 minutes later I finished on a bed that rolled underneath my body. I decided for 8 bucks to add acupuncture treatment at the end.

I walked out of there dazed, woozily happy from the rush of endorphins that were released from my body during the treatment and vowed to come back the next week. Amen... hallelujah... I rejoice in my head...not the hint of tightness, pain or stress. My neck won't even crack. I feel light, free and easy.

So it actually can be corrected. When it comes to myself, I don't always have to be stingy. It's Ok to splurge on my health. Though, I will take a minute to brag about what a deal it was finding this shop. Efficient, brilliant and cheap! Perfect for the bargain shopper / back pain suffer that I am. If only I could pack this up and take it home to America with me. But, oh, alas, seven weeks in south east asia with $4 Thai massages will surely suffice.