Judo therapy a new approach to injury treatment in Vietnam

On Tuesday, Japanese experts held a training session at the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Traditional Medicine and Pharmacy to present Judo therapy techniques to Vietnamese medical professionals.

The session is part of a project led by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that will run until July 2027, aiming to train Vietnamese doctors and transfer knowledge of Judo therapy.

Yuji Tazawa, International Exchange Coordinator of the Japan International Medical Technology Foundation (JIMTEF), explained that Judo therapy, developed from Jujutsu—the precursor to Judo—is performed entirely by hand to adjust bones and joints, without the need for medical equipment.

The method is safe, low-cost, and does not require advanced machinery, while post-treatment immobilization can be carried out using readily available materials.

This conservative approach is minimally invasive, drug-free, and surgery-free, reducing the risk of side effects or infection, Tazawa noted.

The introduction of Judo therapy in Vietnam is expected to enhance life expectancy and improve quality of life, particularly in rural, mountainous, and coastal areas, Tazawa emphasized.

Vietnamese doctors are currently being trained either through direct knowledge transfer from Japanese experts in Vietnam or via clinical practice in Japan, preparing them to become key instructors capable of sustainably expanding the method across the country.

Practitioners of Judo therapy must have a solid understanding of anatomy and body mechanics and complete formal training to ensure its safe application.

Tazawa underscored that careful diagnosis is essential. As not every injury is suitable for conservative treatment, proper assessment determines whether non-surgical or surgical intervention is appropriate.

In 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Traditional Medicine and Pharmacy became the first medical institution in Vietnam to receive Judo therapy training, with 35 doctors participating.

Previously, a group of core Vietnamese doctors began six-month clinical internships in Japan in October 2023, gaining hands-on experience treating patients at Judo therapy clinics and hospitals.

Truong Thi Ngoc Lan, deputy director of the institute, emphasized that Judo therapy is particularly valuable for remote health stations, where medical staff may lack specialized orthopedic training.

Early application of the technique can help reduce over-treatment and provide patients with effective care before complications arise.

In Japan, Judo therapy is covered by health insurance and widely used to treat musculoskeletal injuries such as fractures, dislocations, sprains, and muscle damage.

With over 78,800 practitioners and nearly 51,000 clinics applying the technique, it plays a crucial role in the Japanese healthcare system.