Rheumatology in Tokyo

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and therapy of conditions that affect joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles, including those known as rheumatic diseases, or autoimmune conditions. Physicians who have had special training in rheumatology are called rheumatologists. Some of the conditions that rheumatologists diagnose and treat include:

Chronic back pain, Lupus, Inflammatory arthritis of the hips, knee, or shoulders, Rheumatoid arthritis, Tendinitis, Osteoporosis, Psoriatic arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Giant cell arteritis, Bursitis, Scleroderma, Behcet’s disease, Polymyalgia rheumatic, Paget’s disease, Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Gout, Reiter’s syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, Reactive arthropathies, Sarcoidosis, Idiopathic juvenile arthritis.

While rheumatologists diagnose and treat rheumatic diseases, they do not perform surgery. They perform examinations and procedures that help them diagnose, manage, and treat rheumatic conditions. These include:

• Complete physical exams.
• Lab tests, which usually involve taking samples of joint fluid, urine, or blood to check for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) antibodies, synovial fluid, rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein.
• Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, bone density scans (DXA), or ultrasounds.
• Lumbar punctures.
• Joint aspiration.
• Synovial biopsy.
• Joint injections.
• Bursal injections.
• Hyaluronic acid injections.

How Long Should I Stay in Tokyo?

Rheumatology procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you should be able to leave the hospital or clinic on the same day. Depending on your condition and the type of procedure you will have, you may also be allowed to travel home immediately after. However, it is generally recommended that you stay for 2 to 7 days as you may need to attend a follow-up appointment to discuss the test results with your rheumatologist (if you undergo a diagnostic test) or to monitor your condition.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

The recovery time depends on your specific condition. After the rheumatology procedure itself, you may not need any downtime, although you will need to take it easy for at least two days after some procedures, such as a lumbar puncture. If your condition causes painful symptoms, your rheumatologist will also recommend that you rest until the pain and discomfort subsides. Make sure to discuss your recovery timeline, including when you can return to work and perform strenuous activities.

What Aftercare is Required?

Your rheumatologist will likely prescribe you medications. It is important that you take the medications as directed. You may also be suggested to see undergo physical therapy or occupational therapy. Physical therapists will teach you exercises that can help you move your joints and improve their strength, while occupational therapists can teach you how to ease the strains on your joints when performing your day-to-day activities. Lifestyle changes are important as well, such as maintaining a healthy weight and staying active. Since most rheumatic diseases are long-term diseases, you probably will need regular checkups.

What's the Success Rate?

With cutting-edge technology, continuous research, and a better understanding of the joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles, rheumatology procedures are now more accurate and safer. The procedures are also highly successful, giving patients higher satisfaction rates and improvement in their quality of life. 

Are there Alternatives?

The alternatives depend on your specific condition. It is best that you talk to your general physician first, who will be able to refer you to the relevant specialist. If you require surgery, for instance, you need joint replacement surgery, your rheumatologist will refer you to an orthopedic surgeon.

Rheumatology in and around Tokyo

About Tokyo

Tokyo is Japan’s capital. It is one of the 47 prefectures of the country. There are over 13.9 million people estimated to live there. The capital is a giant metropolis that offers tourists the chance to indulge in the traditional Japanese culture, eat in one of its delicious restaurants, or learn more about modern life. One of the most popular sights in Tokyo is the cherry blossoms that fill the streets and parks with pink petals in Spring. The soft pink petals are an icon of the country.

Among the 30 million people who traveled to Japan in 2018 are medical tourists. With a vast range of high-quality medical services and facilities, Tokyo has a large contribution to the country’s growing medical tourism. it has numerous public and private hospitals that offer outstanding healthcare. These hospitals are equipped with cutting-edge medical technology and highly qualified doctors. Many doctors and medical professionals speak fluent English.

As Japan was ranked the highest in five-year survival rates of lung cancer and esophagus cancer patients from 2010 to 2014, the most sought-after medical procedure is Tokyo oncology treatments. There are many medical facilities in the area that are JCI-accredited and offers a wide range of treatments including Breast Augmentation procedures.

Popular Areas in Tokyo

Tokyo is sprawling with many extraordinary attractions and sights. It is the perfect mixture of traditional and modern. From temples, shrines, futuristic infrastructure, robot restaurants, booming nightlife, nature to anime, all coexist peacefully here.

To see a beautiful city view, climb up the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and Tokyo Tower. Visit Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, and learn more about the history and traditions. The temple is surrounded by numbers of Japanese restaurants that serve authentic dishes including Sushi, Tempura, and Sukiyaki. Tourists can also try a variety of traditional activities like wearing a Kimono dress.

Not far from Asakusa is Ueno, where one of the biggest parks in Tokyo is located. Ueno Park is the perfect place to spend a beautiful day. The park consists of a zoo, museums, historical monument, and green spaces. To try out Tokyo’s futuristic and modern side, come to the first digital art museum in the world, MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM — teamLab Borderless. Experience a unique interactive art with the latest technology and immerse in multiple digital art exhibitions.

Shopping is also one of the main attractions in Tokyo. Tourists most favorite places to shop are Ginza, Nakamise Shopping Street, as well as Takeshita Street and Omotesando in Harajuku. For anime or Disney fans, attractions such as Ghibli Museum, Fujiko F Fujio Museum, Pokemon Center, Tokyo One Piece Tower, Nakano Broadway, Akihabara, Tokyo Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney Sea are some of the best places to visit.

Weather and Climate in Tokyo

Tokyo is a year-round destination because it has temperate weather with four distinct seasons.

• Summer is hot and humid with an average temperature of 21 to 32 °C. Sometimes it can get as high as 40 °C. this season starts in June and ends in August. June sees a lot of rainfall while August is the start of typhoon season.
• Autumn lasts from September to November. The typhoon season peaks in November. The weather during this season is mild with less humidity. It is pleasantly warm in October, making it one of the best times to travel in Tokyo.
• Winter comes in December and lasts until February. The weather is dry and sunny with an average temperature of around 2 °C to 12 °C. The temperature rarely drops below 0 °C. There is very little snow in Tokyo.
• Spring starts in March to May. The temperature increases gradually during this season, with an average of 13 °C in the afternoon and 5 °C in the morning and evening. The sky is mostly clear during this season and it is also one of the best times to visit Japan because of the cherry blossoms.

Getting Around in Tokyo

Located around 60km east of central Tokyo, Narita International Airport is the main international gateway to Tokyo. The airport serves both domestic and international flights to almost every major city in the world. Budget airlines such as Jetstar Japan, Peach, and Eastar Jet operates flights from this airport.

Rail, bus, taxi, or car rental are available for tourists to reach the city center from Narita Airport. There are several train types to choose from. The Main Line (regular commuter train) in Keisei Line is the most affordable one, it costs around ¥1,190 to ¥1,230 ($10 to $11.3) and it connects with the Toei Asakusa Subway Line and the Yamanote Line. For faster travel, choose the Skyliner train that takes only 36 minutes to Nippori. This train costs around ¥2,470 ($22.7). There is another train known as the Sky Access Express train that offers better access to Tokyo. A trip to Asakusa takes about 58 minutes and costs around ¥1,290 ($11.9).

A taxi might not be the best option since it’s very expensive, it usually costs over ¥20,000 ($184) from Narita Airport to Tokyo. The more affordable option is the shared minibus which cost ¥6,180 ($57) per person. Buses are comfortable, the Limousine Bus costs around ¥2,880 ($26.5) and the Tokyo Shuttle costs around ¥900 ($8) to ¥1,000 ($9).

Tokyo is served by one of the best public transport systems in the world. Trains and subways are the best way to get around the city. It is the cheapest and fastest mode of transportation. Taxis are easily available and can be hailed on the street except in areas like Ginza, where taxis are only allowed to stop in taxi stands. The base fare is ¥430 ($4) for the first 1.5 km and ¥80 ($0.7) for every 237 meters.

Tourist Visas in Tokyo

Japan allows citizens of 68 countries and territories to stay in the country for up to 90 days. Citizens of Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand are granted a 15-day visa-free trip. The country has a visa for a medical stay that grants long-term stays to medical tourists and approval for visa holders to travel back and forth between their home countries and Japan. Foreign visitors who visit Japan on tourist visas can also receive medical services, except for long-term therapies and surgeries that require more than three months.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the Japanese Yen (¥). There is around ¥111 per $1.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widely available and can be found in post offices or convenient stores (especially 7-Eleven). Credit cards are accepted in some hotels, restaurants, and shops but it is advisable to always bring cash. Tipping is optional.
3. Local Language: Japanese is the official language. Most people speak limited English but many restaurant menus and signs are written in both Japanese and English.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The main religion is Shintoism and Buddhism. There is a small group of Christians in the city.
5. Public Holidays: There are sixteen major public holidays in Japan. The city hosts annual festivals including Fuji Matsuri, Hinode Matsuri, and Tenno Matsuri.