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Karada SM North

One of the things I am guilty of watching on Youtube are chiropractic videos. There’s just something so oddly satisfying about hearing the cracking sounds. It has been a long-time dream to actually have a session (or more) but treatment is quite expensive in the Philippines and it is not something you can pay with your health care card.

Good thing there’s Karada (Japanese Body Therapy), which may still be quite pricey compared to spa prices, but is relatively cheaper compared to chiropractic clinics.

My friend and I have always wanted to go there. I remember passing by their Glorietta location years ago checking out their services. Maybe it was because we were used to having our massage sessions not going over the P1000 price range, but I remember clearly how I felt Karada’s prices were quite exorbitant. Hahaha. So needless to say, we never went.

Fast forward to several years after, last Sunday, we finally decided to go. We both had been complaining of back pains and leg pains and really needed the therapy.

What is Karada?

Literally, it is the Japanese word for ‘body’. It is a Japanese Body Therapy clinic specializing in the chiropractic adjustment of the atlas and pelvis (AP Balance), deep tissue massage (Body Treatment, and foot therapy.

Karada Japanese Body Therapy

Visiting the Karada SM North Branch

We went to visit their SM North branch as it was the closest to my home. There were no therapists available so we made a reservation to come in after an hour. We decided to go for the AP Special – a combination of all their services.

Karada Services and Prices

They offer three services and the price will vary depending on the length of your therapy, or if you want a Japanese therapist (they are more expensive and you may need to book in advance).

AP ( Atlas & Pelvis ) Balance (P895 – P3195)

Is the chiropractic realignment of your atlas and pelvis. This is the best part for me, but that’s just because I love hearing the cracking sounds. Hahaha.

This provides several benefits like boosting your stamina, improving sleeping habits, and relieving body pain and stress.

Body Treatment (P845-P2695)

Is a deep tissue massage that helps to strengthen, tone, and firm your muscles. It helps improve flexibility and body movement. (I can personally attest to this because I felt lighter playing badminton the day after.)

Foot Treatment (P995-P2295)

Therapy for your feet which aids in the detoxification of your body.

The Karada Experience

The clinic was quite small and there were very few therapists available, so they had to schedule the clients coming in. I kind of like it, because as all the beds were in one room together, there was very little privacy. So it worked to our advantage because we had the room to ourselves during our session.

As mentioned above, we got the combination of all packages which ran for two hours. Ideally, this should be the best package, but I felt that everything was crammed into a two-hour session that we didn’t get the full benefit of each service. It felt ‘bitin‘. But if you want a taste of everything they have to offer, this is your best bet. You can then choose the treatment that suits you best when go again for another visit – which is what I would do.

I was also expecting some sort of ‘advice’ from the therapists. Most of the blogs I read about Karada had something like that – where the therapists would tell them what’s wrong with their body, what treatments should be taken after, how often, etc. I felt like everything was rushed. Apart from being told that my left leg is shorter than my right because my pelvis is pulling it up, I wasn’t given any other insight as to what’s wrong with my body and why I had all the pains I was complaining about.

So… is it worth it?

All in all, I think the experience is okay. I did feel a lot better compared to how I was prior to my therapy. I felt lighter and more flexible playing badminton the next day, and some of my lower back pains have gone. I know I need more treatments to fully fix whatever’s wrong with my body balance, but then again, I wouldn’t know because I wasn’t given any advice. Even so, I would come back for the AP Balance and possibly the Foot Treatment, but I’m also open to checking out other clinics to compare services.

Have you gone to Karada or any chiropractic clinic? Tell me about your experience in the comments!