The director, Kinoshita Tomoko, and the deputy director, Kinoshita Hiroshi, run Jukosan together as a couple.
We asked them about the background and thoughts behind starting their shop.
The reason for starting Jukosan
You run Jukosan, but why did you start it?
Kinoshita Hiroshi
At Jukosan, health insurance can be used for injuries.
Those who are covered by insurance go to the chiropractic clinic, while Jukosan targets a different clientele.
Patients who are overlooked by conventional medicine or feel unsatisfied with other treatments come here.
Chronic conditions like persistent back pain, headaches, and shoulder stiffness are not covered by insurance, so those individuals also come here.
We feel that Jukosan supplements what cannot be fully covered by the chiropractic clinic.
We perform treatments primarily by hand without using medication.
The director's wife has been training in traditional medicine for a long time to understand the flow of energy in the body and meridians.
Meridians are pathways for qi and blood that are spread throughout the body.
Understanding the flow of energy allows for adjustments to depression and the autonomic nervous system.
For example, "If your back hurts, we'll take an X-ray" or "We'll prescribe medication" is Western medicine.
On the other hand, traditional medicine does not just look at the painful area; it considers other factors, such as that work fatigue may be causing dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system, leading to pain.
If the autonomic nervous system is not properly adjusted, symptoms cannot be alleviated.
No matter how many painkillers you take, they may relieve the pain temporarily, but it will return quickly.
We focus on diagnosing and treating the whole body.
Did you originally aim for traditional medicine?
Kinoshita Hiroshi
My parents were in the same profession; my mother is an acupuncturist, and my wife's father is a judo therapist.
By the time I was in high school, I naturally thought, "I will probably pursue the path of traditional medicine."
Kinoshita Tomoko
My father was originally a police officer, but he obtained a judo therapy license and opened a chiropractic clinic.
I was in an environment where I was exposed to traditional medicine, so I had been conscious of this field since then.
Kinoshita Hiroshi
However, I do not take a position of denying or criticizing Western medicine.
In the past, I trained for about four years in orthopedics and experienced Western medical care.
If we think our patients need Western medicine, we refer them immediately.
Kinoshita Hiroshi, who never stops exploring
I saw on Jukosan's blog that you have "100 things you want to do before you die." Do you really have 100?
Kinoshita Hiroshi
I have 100, but it might not be limited to that.
Kinoshita Tomoko
I keep coming up with new things I want to do.
I really love books and have a pile of them by my bedside that could cause an avalanche.
As I read, new interests arise, and it seems like my world keeps expanding.
Kinoshita Hiroshi
Even if I accomplish one, about ten more come up, so it might stay at 100.
One of these 100 is studying in the evening program at the Faculty of Economics at Okayama University.
I started at the age of 50.
While attending university, I went to the United States for an eight-month language study and continued my studies after graduation.
Then I went on to graduate school and graduated in March of this year (2023).
I also wrote a master's thesis.
The reason I studied at Okayama University was to learn about social security theory.
While health insurance can be used at chiropractic clinics, fraudulent claims have become a nationwide issue.
From the perspective of those running a chiropractic clinic, using health insurance is beneficial, and we felt confident that we were giving back to the country.
I thought we were providing medical care at a low cost, but with the issue of fraudulent claims, I began to lose confidence in that belief.
To reassess our value, I decided to learn about social security.
What Jukosan aims for
How would you like people to use Jukosan?
Kinoshita Hiroshi
Some people come almost every day.
The reason I started this place was that I wanted to create a space where various people in the community could gather.
In the past, there were places in shopping streets where local people could gather and chat.
While having breakfast or coffee, customers might say, "My back hurts."
Since it's a muscle issue, I would have them do about 30 squats right there, and if they continued doing it every day, they would get better.
From the beginning of starting Jukosan, I had the concept of this cafe space.
At the acupuncture clinic my mother ran, the distance between patients was close, and after treatment, she would say, "You look better. Why not eat a rice ball on your way home?"
Watching my mother's treatments, I thought it would be nice to create a space where we could care for patients a little more deeply, and if we could also provide some food and drink, that would be great.
I would be happy if Jukosan became a place for communication.
I want to communicate myself and be a receptacle for those who come seeking such a space.
Kinoshita Tomoko
For me, the joy of hearing patients say "I feel better after the treatment" or "I feel relieved" is more important than money.
Seeing happy patients gives me energy as well.
I work with the thought that if my assistance can help others, I would be happy.
Conclusion
Until I interviewed Jukosan, I thought treatment clinics were only for receiving treatments.
However, at Jukosan, there is also a cafe space where people who do not receive treatments can stop by.
They also mentioned that they sometimes receive consultations about work and relationships.
It seems to be a place for communication and a source of comfort for the heart.
After the interview, I had a casual chat, and they listened to my stories with big smiles.
Just having someone listen to you can make you feel good and happy.
During the interview, there were regular customers happily chatting with the Kinoshita couple.
Surely, many people think, "I want to go back to Kinoshita to talk again."
Why not casually stop by Jukosan, which gives you energy through treatments and conversations?
Data on acupuncture and chiropractic Jukosan
| Name | Acupuncture and Chiropractic Jukosan |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-8-40 Hamanochaya, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-430-5877 |
| Parking | Available 3 cars If full, you can use the parking lot of Jukoh Chiropractic Clinic Hamanochaya Main Clinic |
| Business Hours | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Wednesday to Saturday) 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Sunday) |
| Closed | Monday, Tuesday |
| Payment Methods |
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| Reservation | Available |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Acupuncture and Chiropractic Jukosan |
