Frequently Asked Questions

You don't need to bring anything. A set of clothes to change into is provided for every client.

We have four main services: AP Balance, Body Treatment, Hand Treatment and Foot Treatment. Each service is available in durations of 30, 60 or 90 minutes. Besides these four services, we also offer special courses that combine them: AP/BT, AP/FT, AP/HT, BT/HT, BT/FT, HT/FT and AP Special (AP/BT/FT), with durations of 60, 90 or 120 minutes.

AP Balance is an original KARADA technique that focuses on identifying the causes of discomfort in the body, increasing blood flow and improving your posture. It relieves body pain and prevents it from coming back. AP Balance is also effective at reducing stress.

AP Balance is ideal for people with “general malaise”, a condition in which someone feels pain or discomfort in the body without knowing its exact source. (It is said that 70% of body pain comes from stress.) Generally, people with “general malaise” are dealing with stress-related problems. This treatment is also effective for recurring or chronic pain.

Yes, it is safe. Anyone can take this treatment — from age 12 to seniors — as long as they have no serious illness or severe injury. AP Balance can be tailored to each person's age, condition and needs. What's more, all of our staff have been trained to high Japanese standards.

AP Balance has two main benefits: stress control and hormonal balance. Other benefits include: There are many more benefits you can get from AP Balance. The treatment can also be tailored to each client's goals and needs.

• Better posture
• A slimmer-looking figure
• Relief from recurring body pain
• A healthier lifestyle

This treatment is not recommended for: However, people with high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes can still take the treatment as long as their condition is controlled with medication.

• Pregnant women in their first trimester
• People with a serious illness or injury
• Post-surgery patients
• People under the influence of alcohol
• Cancer patients

Body Treatment is a dry treatment (no oil) that focuses on loosening stiff muscles throughout the body. It is similar to Shiatsu but more effective, because the therapist applies pressure using body weight rather than mere force. Stretching is also an important part of the treatment. The sensation is often described with the Japanese term “itakimochii”, meaning painful but pleasant — unlike a regular massage, which only offers surface-level relaxation. A regular massage generally touches only the outer layer of the skin and gives a tingling sensation, without reaching the root of the problem. Our Body Treatment targets the deepest layers of stiff muscle, so even though it may feel a little painful during the session, your body will feel relieved, light and relaxed afterward because the tension has been released.

Body Treatment is ideal for people who have just finished exercising, such as a gym session, jogging or other physical activity. While AP Balance is more effective for recurring (chronic) body pain, Body Treatment is aimed at temporary muscle pain caused by strenuous physical activity or sudden, forced movements.

Hand Treatment at KARADA is a specialized therapy designed to relax the muscles and improve flexibility in the hands, wrists, arms and shoulders, using a special oil. Unlike regular massage, which generally gives only temporary relaxation of the outer muscles, KARADA's Hand Treatment precisely targets points of deep tension and promotes lymphatic drainage, effectively releasing stiffness caused by repetitive strain and restoring freedom of movement to the joints from the wrists to the shoulders.

This treatment is especially needed by office workers, professionals and gadget users who often suffer from aches or stiffness caused by repetitive daily activities such as typing on a laptop or holding a smartphone. Hand Treatment is also ideal for athletes who rely heavily on upper-body performance (such as tennis, padel and golf players, and gym-goers), and for anyone who wants to free their wrists, arms and shoulders from built-up daily fatigue.

Foot Treatment stimulates the reflex zones on the feet, which are connected to the muscles and internal organs of the body. Like Body Treatment, it also gives the “itakimochii” sensation — painful but pleasant — because it helps release toxins or waste products that have built up in the feet. The technique was adapted from Taiwan and uses only bare hands and the therapist's body weight to apply pressure, unlike typical Thai massage, which uses sticks. Most foot massages on the market (such as foot spas) focus on beauty care, like cleaning the feet and removing dead skin cells — not therapeutic treatment. KARADA's Foot Treatment, on the other hand, works to improve your overall health, and we use cream (not oil) during the treatment.

Foot Treatment is ideal for people who want to detoxify their body. Some people experience swelling (manas), especially in the feet or lower legs, due to the buildup of waste products or toxins in that area. This treatment helps flush out toxins while relieving fatigue and aches in the feet and calves. It is especially popular with women who feel tired after a full day in high heels.

Although KARADA usually accepts walk-ins, you may not be served right away, especially during peak hours. We therefore strongly recommend making a reservation in advance. A reservation covers not only the duration but also the type of treatment you want. If you're not sure which services or packages are available, just tell our staff about your concerns or body condition, and they will help recommend the treatment that best suits your needs.

After a treatment (whether AP, BT or FT), your body will be in a healthier condition. However, the process also requires your body to adapt drastically, which may cause some temporary side effects, such as: Feeling feverish Weakness or sluggishness Fatigue Muscle pain (a sensation like after exercising) Significant release of toxins (e.g. yellowish urine, vomiting, heavy sweating, regular bowel movements) After-effects can vary from person to person, depending on the type of treatment taken and each individual's body condition.

After your first treatment, we recommend coming back after 3 days. Generally, the body returns to its old habits after 4–5 days, so the best time for your next treatment is before that happens. The second treatment is crucial, because it determines the rhythm or pacing of your treatments, depending on how your body responded to the first one. Body habits formed over many years — such as slouching, standing on one leg and poor posture — easily come back, even after they have been treated. However, because our treatment focuses on the source of posture problems rather than just relieving the pain, your body condition can change for the better (for example, a body that doesn't tire easily). If done regularly, 5–10 treatments within 2 months can already bring significant change. After that, regular maintenance treatments are highly recommended to keep the results.

For beginners, it's best to continue treatments without long breaks in between. However, if you can't come regularly, light stretching and walking are highly recommended to maintain your body condition. If you have sleeping problems (insomnia), we recommend using our Skeletal Pro Pillow. And if you want to improve your posture, we also offer body-correcting garments such as night pajamas, leggings and more. These products serve as home management and can significantly increase the effectiveness of your treatment.

There are no specific restrictions. However, since your blood circulation is in very good condition, it's advisable not to drink alcohol, go to a sauna or take hot baths after the treatment, so that your body doesn't become over-exhausted. Also, since stiff joints and muscles have been loosened, your capacity for strenuous activity may feel greater. If you're not careful, though, this can actually lead to over-exhaustion or even injury — especially after an AP Balance treatment. So keep your physical activity sensible after a treatment.