If you’re an expat working in Tokyo, you probably spend long hours at a desk — focused, productive, and busy.
Laptop or monitor in front of you, meetings back-to-back, deadlines to meet.

Many foreign professionals tell me the same thing:

“My neck and shoulder pain became constant after I started working here.”
“It’s harder to recover now.”
“Rest or massage doesn’t seem to fix it anymore.”

This pattern is very common — and it’s not accidental.

Why Neck & Shoulder Pain Becomes Chronic for Expats in Tokyo

1. High-Intensity Desk Work Without True Recovery

Japanese work culture is often highly focused and mentally demanding.
Even in global companies with modern offices, many expats experience:

• Long, uninterrupted concentration
• Fewer natural breaks between tasks
• Extended screen time with sustained posture

It’s not just how long you sit —
it’s how continuously your nervous system stays “on.”

Over time, this leads to:

• Persistent muscle tension
• Reduced circulation in deep neck and shoulder muscles
• Fatigue of the nervous system, not just the muscles

2. Subtle Changes in How the Body Is Used

Most expats work in well-designed offices.
The issue isn’t poor equipment — it’s small changes in daily body usage.

For example:

• More laptop-based or hybrid work than before
• Less walking during the workday
• Tension held unconsciously while focusing or communicating in a second language
• Congested commute times and desk work

Individually, these seem minor.
Together, they quietly overload the neck, shoulders, and upper back.

3. Stress You Adapt To — But Your Body Doesn’t Fully Release

Many expats are mentally resilient.
They adapt well, stay positive, and perform at a high level.

But the body often tells a different story.

Common underlying stressors include:

• Working in a non-native language
• Cultural adjustment, even when things “feel fine”
• High responsibility with limited margin for error

This often results in:

• Chronic muscle guarding
• Shallow or restless sleep
• Pain that returns quickly after stretching or massage

Why Massage Alone Often Isn’t Enough

Massage can feel good — and it often helps temporarily.
But when pain keeps coming back, it’s usually because:

• The nervous system remains overstimulated
• Blood flow to deeper tissues hasn’t fully recovered
• The body hasn’t reset its stress response

This is where Japanese acupuncture works differently.

How Japanese Acupuncture Addresses Neck & Shoulder Pain

At BODY TIPS in Omotesando (Shibuya, Tokyo), acupuncture is used not just to relax muscles, but to:

• Improve circulation in deep tissue
• Regulate the nervous system
• Reduce unconscious muscle guarding
• Restore natural, efficient movement patterns

Clinical research has shown acupuncture to be effective for:

• Chronic neck pain
• Tension-type headaches
• Work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Technique matters.
Japanese-style acupuncture is gentle and precise, focusing on measurable change, not just relaxation.

Many clients feel a clear difference after a single session.

A Practical Option for Expats in Tokyo

Most of my international clients are:

• Office workers
• Entrepreneurs
• Remote professionals
• Long-term residents in Tokyo

They value:

• Clear communication in English
• A calm, private environment
• A professional approach focused on long-term improvement

Sessions combine acupuncture and body conditioning, specifically tailored to desk-related issues.

Booking Information (Please Read)

• Same-day appointments may be available
• Reservations must be completed at least 3 hours before your preferred start time
• Availability may be limited due to off-site corporate sessions

To book, please visit the English page below and submit the form at the bottom.
You may suggest 2–3 preferred dates and times, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

👉 Book an Appointment (English Page)
https://bodytips.co.jp/english-top/

Neck and shoulder pain doesn’t have to become your “normal” in Japan.
If your body is asking for proper care, listening early makes all the difference.

Location: Omotesando,Shibuya-ku(Jingumae),Tokyo
Service:Japanese Acupuncture & Body Conditioning
Language: Eunglish suported