International patients at OQ
Over 25 countries. Around 120 international patients a year. A small clinic learning from each of them about how to welcome the next.
Kyoto is an international city in the sense that people arrive from everywhere. For a two-practitioner osteopathy clinic, that means we meet patients whose assumptions about medicine, touch, family, modesty, and time are different from ours — and often different from each other. This page is an honest account of how we approach that, what we do well, and what we are still learning.
Before you book, message us — tell us anything that will help us welcome you well. WhatsApp →
On this page
- Things that apply to every patient
- Tell us what matters to you
- Cultural contexts we have learned from
- Practical matters
- What we cannot do
- How to write to us well
Things that apply to every patient, regardless of where you are from
Before we get to specifics, a few commitments that hold across all cases:
- The same standard of care for every patient, regardless of nationality, religion, gender, or language
- Transparent pricing — we do not charge more for international patients
- Time to talk — first visits are 60 minutes because understanding you takes time, not because the techniques require an hour
- Honest limits — we will tell you when something is outside what we can offer, and we will try to point you toward someone who can
- No assumption of Japanese — you are welcome to speak English throughout your visit
The simplest way we adjust is when you tell us what matters to you
The single most useful thing you can do as an international patient is message us in advance with anything that would make your visit work better. Some examples of things patients have raised with us over the years:
- “I prefer a family member to be present during the session”
- “I would like to keep my head covered / my shoulders covered”
- “I am fasting this month — can we adjust the time of day?”
- “My husband will come to the first appointment and translate for me”
- “I prefer minimal direct contact with my lower back”
- “I have a language I am more comfortable in — can you write to me in that?”
- “I am nervous about male practitioners treating a female patient”
- “My child has autism and we need to prepare him for the session”
We do not promise to accommodate everything. What we promise is to read your message carefully and give you an honest reply about what is and is not possible at our clinic.
How to reach us:
WhatsApp — Yusuke replies within ~2 hours during opening hours (Mon–Sat 09:00–22:30 JST)
Email: oq.kyoto@gmail.com
What we can say with experience, and what we are still learning
This section is small on purpose. We have seen patients from many countries, but sustained, detailed understanding takes years per region. We prefer to write about what we actually know rather than generalise.
From patients with Middle Eastern backgrounds
Patients arriving from countries in the Middle East (we have seen patients from Egypt and the Gulf region) often come with a medical framework that expects a doctor’s authority, a diagnosis, and a prescription. Osteopathy does not work that way. We do not diagnose medical conditions, we do not prescribe medication, and the treatment is hands-on.
What we have learned from these consultations:
- Expectation setting is essential. We now spend the first 10–15 minutes of an initial visit explaining what we are and are not. If this is your first osteopathy experience, we welcome you to read our First Visit page and What is Osteopathy? before you come.
- Immediate results are not the realistic goal. We rarely promise resolution in one session, and we will not promise more than we can deliver.
- We are happy to coordinate with your home physician. If you have a regular doctor, give us their contact. We can write a short note of what we did, in English, for them to see.
If your cultural background is in this region, please read our First Visit page carefully. We want you to arrive with accurate expectations.
From patients with European and North American backgrounds
Patients from the UK, Europe, Australia, and North America typically arrive with working familiarity with osteopathy or physiotherapy. The conversation starts one layer down — we can skip the “what is this” part. We have learned to ask directly whether you have been seen by an osteopath before, and to adjust accordingly.
From patients with other backgrounds
Over the years we have welcomed patients from Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, China and Taiwan, and sub-Saharan Africa. We have not yet treated enough patients from any single country outside Egypt and the UK to write specific notes. We would rather say that honestly than fabricate expertise.
If you are from a country we have not mentioned here, please still write to us. The fact that we have not documented your region does not mean you are less welcome. It means you may help us learn.
Things people commonly ask about
Language
- Yusuke holds working clinical English. Nuanced conversation about your body is comfortable.
- Sota is developing clinical English and can manage most common presentations. For more complex cases, or if you prefer, book with Yusuke.
- Neither practitioner speaks Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Russian, or other languages fluently. If you prefer your native language, bring someone who can translate, or message us to arrange.
Gender and modesty
- Both practitioners are male. We currently have no female practitioner on staff. We mention this directly because for some patients it matters.
- Sessions can be done over clothes. Remove layers only if you are comfortable.
- Family members are welcome to stay in the room.
- Curtains and screens are available on request.
- If the combination of factors does not feel safe for you, we would rather you say so and we find you care elsewhere than push through discomfort.
Family accompaniment
- Partners, parents, and friends are welcome in the treatment room.
- Children can accompany adult patients; a small childcare arrangement is sometimes possible for siblings during a parent’s session, discussed case by case.
- For adolescent patients, we prefer a parent to attend the first visit.
Religious and dietary considerations
- We have no direct dietary involvement in sessions. If a treatment recommendation touches on hydration, timing, or post-session rest, we will adjust it around fasting or religious observance if you tell us.
- We do not have prayer facilities on site. There are places of worship in central Kyoto for those who need them between sessions.
- Session scheduling can accommodate Sabbath or other weekly observance — message us.
Medical documentation
- We can write a short note in English describing what we did, for your home physician.
- We are not able to provide documentation for insurance claims — osteopathy is typically not covered by international insurance for overseas treatment.
The honest edge of our offer
We want this page to be useful, which means being clear about limits.
- We are not a medical facility in the sense used for medical tourism visas. You enter Japan as a tourist.
- We do not have female practitioners. If this is non-negotiable for you, we would rather you find a female osteopath or physiotherapist than book with us.
- We cannot guarantee continuity once you go home. No video treatment; limited email follow-up.
- We are not a trauma therapy centre. We can be part of someone’s recovery from trauma, but we are not a substitute for psychiatric or psychotherapeutic care.
- Some specific conditions are outside what we take on. If you are unsure whether your situation is suitable, message us before you travel.
If any of these limits matter for you, please think about them before you travel. If you are unsure, ask us.
A template, if it helps
If you are not sure how to start a message, this is a shape we find helpful. Copy and fill in what applies:
Hello OQ,
I am [name], from [country]. I am thinking of [coming to Kyoto for treatment / visiting while I travel / moving to Kyoto].
My main concern is [brief description]. It has been going on for [time]. I have previously tried [treatments, if any].
Cultural / practical things that matter to me: [e.g. I prefer family present / I fast during certain months / I need documentation for my home doctor / I am nervous about what to expect].
Questions I have: [anything you want us to answer before you book].
Thank you.
This kind of message lets us give you a useful reply the first time, rather than a back-and-forth over several days. No need to be formal. A few sentences is enough.
Message Yusuke on WhatsApp — we will reply within ~2 hours during opening hours (Mon–Sat 09:00–22:30 JST)
Also useful: FAQ for international patients · Thinking of travelling to Kyoto for treatment?