One Year Since the Establishment of "Facing Back Pain Day" on April 2. A New Form of Back Pain Medicine Spreading in Society

Back pain is a national disease that affects an estimated 30 million people and 80% of Japanese people experience in their lifetime.
Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "2022 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions," back pain is the top subjective symptom (rate of persons with subjective symptoms) for both men and women, making it a serious social issue.

In response to this, ILC International Back Pain Clinic (hereinafter referred to as "our clinic") established April 2nd as "Facing Back Pain Day" last year. In the year since then, our clinic has not stopped at medical care that simply removes pain, but has continued to present new medical options for patients to improve their QOL (Quality of Life) and move forward positively in their lives.

## Not Just Relieving Pain. Towards "Building a Body Capable of Doing What You Want to Do"

Back pain consultations at our clinic have exceeded 20,000 cumulatively. The treatment track record of our flagship treatment, the "Discseel Procedure," has also expanded to a scale of 4,000 cases. This treatment is an advanced overseas outpatient procedure aimed at the repair and regeneration of intervertebral discs.

In addition to such advanced medical care, we believe it is essential to approach "daily body usage and lifestyle habits."
At the Wellness Center established for aftercare following treatment, practitioners do not just unilaterally administer treatment, but provide support for patients themselves to understand their own bodies and proactively grasp health.

The goal there is not just to relieve pain, but to "build a body capable of doing what you want to do," such as hobbies and travel. To achieve this, we thoroughly address not only visible symptoms but also their underlying root causes.

The causes of back pain and numbness are not limited to intervertebral disc damage but span a wide range, including the brain, muscles, and even daily stress and the intestinal environment. That is exactly why we went beyond the framework of Western medicine, incorporating perspectives from Eastern medicine and Indian medicine, centering our care on medicine and hospitality that comprehensively examines the "person."

Thanks to this unique initiative, we boast a high degree of improvement even for symptoms of "numbness," which are considered particularly difficult to improve within the industry.
*Treatment effects vary by individual.

## Future Prospects and Goals/Philosophy (From Tadaaki Minowa, Chairman of the Medical Corporation)

Medical Corporation OJ-kai, ILC International Back Pain Clinic, Chairman Tadaaki Minowa

This past year since the establishment of "Facing Back Pain Day" has been a year for us to once again deeply confront the "lonely pain carried by patients."
We have established it as our mission to "deliver the option of not giving up to everyone suffering from back pain." Back pain is not merely a physical pain.