Innovative Self-Care Method to Combat Monsoon Fatigue as Survey Reveals Common Ailments
As the rainy season approaches, many individuals find themselves feeling under the weather, particularly in June when the monsoon officially begins in regions like Okinawa and Kyushu. A survey conducted by physiotherapist Yoshihiro Yamauchi, who runs the popular YouTube channel '腰痛・肩こり駆け込み寺【山内義弘】' with over 1.1 million subscribers, has revealed that a significant number of people, approximately 60%, report experiencing physical discomfort during this time.
The survey was conducted on May 7, 2025, involving 1,000 men and women aged 20 to 69 from across the nation. The study aimed to shed light on the phenomenon known as '梅雨だる' (rainy season fatigue), assessing how this time of year affects people’s physical health.
In the findings:
Respondents were asked whether they felt physical discomfort during the rainy season. The results indicated that:
When participants who reported discomfort were asked about specific symptoms, the most common complaint was headaches (42.2% of men and 58.8% of women), followed closely by fatigue (40.4% for men and 44.6% for women) and sleep disturbances (27.5% for men and 33.2% for women). Symptoms related to autonomic nervous system disturbances were notably prevalent, with women often reporting additional issues such as neck stiffness, swelling, and chills.
Exploring how individuals cope with discomfort revealed that the most common approach was to do "nothing in particular" (27.5% of men, 27.7% of women). Other methods included stretching, massage, and acupressure, with both men and women reporting similar rates of these activities. However, around 14% of both genders admitted, “Honestly, I don’t know what to do.”
With the increase of complaints like headaches and fatigue during the rainy season often attributed to disturbances in the autonomic nervous system, experts suggest a potential link to a neck condition known as '亀首' (kamekubi), or "turtle neck."
This condition is characterized by the formation of fatty deposits at the back of the neck due to poor posture from excessive desk work or smartphone usage. This is not just simple neck stiffness; it is indicative of advanced problems where neck muscles become immobile, leading to the accumulation of fat around the area. If left unaddressed, this can cause discomfort to spread to the shoulders, back, and arms.
Poor posture is primarily to blame, especially when the head is angled forward while looking at a smartphone or computer screen. This posture puts undue strain on the lower cervical spine, particularly the seventh cervical vertebra, leading to tightness and a tendency for fat accumulation in these areas. This ultimately creates a vicious cycle where the neck becomes stiff and remains fixed in its compromised position.
Yamauchi proposes two methods to check if one has kamekubi:
1. Supine Check: Lying on your back, if the back of your head can rest comfortably on the bed without a pillow, it indicates no issue. If a pillow feels necessary to be comfortable, you might be on the way to developing kamekubi. If your chin tilts up significantly while trying to lay back, kamekubi is a strong possibility.
2. Cervical Vertebra 7 Mobility Check: While bowing your head, locate the bumpy protrusion of the seventh cervical vertebra at the back of your neck. Lying on your back, you should be able to push down on this vertebra. Failure to do so suggests that the muscles connected to it are not functioning correctly.
Stiffness in the multifidus muscles can also lead to tightness in the cervical spine and contribute to this condition. To alleviate this, Yamauchi recommends applying a bandage (絆創膏) and performing specific stretches.
1. Lightly bow your head to find the protrusion of your seventh cervical vertebra.
2. Apply the bandage diagonally upwards in a 'V' shape from this point on both sides.
3. This method keeps tension on the multifidus muscles, promoting stretching and relaxation.
1. While seated, turn your head to look to the right and gently use your right hand to guide your head to the left over five seconds.
2. Repeat this movement three times on each side.
This method can significantly help those who feel their neck has thickened, as they may notice a reduction in firmness, especially after stretches. It's fine to remove the bandage afterward. If empowered once, the muscle memory will help maintain alignment for some time.
Interestingly, a quarter of survey respondents mentioned they employed methods like stretching, massage, or acupressure as their coping mechanisms. It’s essential to note that while these approaches can be beneficial, overdoing it can potentially damage muscle fibers. It is also crucial to be cautious when receiving help with stretches, as excessive force can interfere with the muscle's natural functionality.
Born in 1970 in Nagoya, Japan, Yoshihiro Yamauchi has over 20 years of experience as a licensed physiotherapist. With more than 1.1 million followers on YouTube and 25,000 cases treated, he has successfully aided countless individuals, including those requiring wheelchairs or suffering from chronic pain. His mission to eliminate unnecessary surgeries and medications led him to develop unique self-care methods. He actively leads seminars nationwide, aiming to help everyone lead pain-free lives.
Yamauchi has authored several books, including 'コリと痛みの駈け込み寺！のびちぢみ体操' (KADOKAWA) and '1分でバキバキ肩こりがスッキリ！' (Takarajimasha). A new publication titled 'The All-in-One Patch for Body Ailments' is scheduled for release on December 25, 2024, coinciding with the launch of his specially designed bandage, 'Yamauchi Style Band-Aid™.' You can learn more from his YouTube channel: Yamauchi's Channel.
Survey Overview
The survey was conducted on May 7, 2025, involving 1,000 men and women aged 20 to 69 from across the nation. The study aimed to shed light on the phenomenon known as '梅雨だる' (rainy season fatigue), assessing how this time of year affects people’s physical health.
In the findings:
- - About 60% of women reported feeling "body discomfort" during the rainy season.
- - Common symptoms included headaches and fatigue, with trends differing slightly between genders.
- - Approximately 30% of respondents admitted to doing “nothing in particular” when faced with these discomforts.
Key Findings
Respondents were asked whether they felt physical discomfort during the rainy season. The results indicated that:
- - 9.6% of men and 11.6% of women reported feeling "very much" discomfort.
- - 11.6% of men and 18.2% of women said they "felt" discomfort, while 22.4% of men and 28.0% of women felt "some discomfort."
- - The results further revealed that 43.6% of men and 57.8% of women reported some level of discomfort, indicating a more pronounced tendency among women.
When participants who reported discomfort were asked about specific symptoms, the most common complaint was headaches (42.2% of men and 58.8% of women), followed closely by fatigue (40.4% for men and 44.6% for women) and sleep disturbances (27.5% for men and 33.2% for women). Symptoms related to autonomic nervous system disturbances were notably prevalent, with women often reporting additional issues such as neck stiffness, swelling, and chills.
Exploring how individuals cope with discomfort revealed that the most common approach was to do "nothing in particular" (27.5% of men, 27.7% of women). Other methods included stretching, massage, and acupressure, with both men and women reporting similar rates of these activities. However, around 14% of both genders admitted, “Honestly, I don’t know what to do.”
The Link Between Rainy Season Ailments and “Kamekubi”
With the increase of complaints like headaches and fatigue during the rainy season often attributed to disturbances in the autonomic nervous system, experts suggest a potential link to a neck condition known as '亀首' (kamekubi), or "turtle neck."
What is 'Kamekubi'?
This condition is characterized by the formation of fatty deposits at the back of the neck due to poor posture from excessive desk work or smartphone usage. This is not just simple neck stiffness; it is indicative of advanced problems where neck muscles become immobile, leading to the accumulation of fat around the area. If left unaddressed, this can cause discomfort to spread to the shoulders, back, and arms.
Why Does 'Kamekubi' Happen?
Poor posture is primarily to blame, especially when the head is angled forward while looking at a smartphone or computer screen. This posture puts undue strain on the lower cervical spine, particularly the seventh cervical vertebra, leading to tightness and a tendency for fat accumulation in these areas. This ultimately creates a vicious cycle where the neck becomes stiff and remains fixed in its compromised position.
Checking for 'Kamekubi'
Yamauchi proposes two methods to check if one has kamekubi:
1. Supine Check: Lying on your back, if the back of your head can rest comfortably on the bed without a pillow, it indicates no issue. If a pillow feels necessary to be comfortable, you might be on the way to developing kamekubi. If your chin tilts up significantly while trying to lay back, kamekubi is a strong possibility.
2. Cervical Vertebra 7 Mobility Check: While bowing your head, locate the bumpy protrusion of the seventh cervical vertebra at the back of your neck. Lying on your back, you should be able to push down on this vertebra. Failure to do so suggests that the muscles connected to it are not functioning correctly.
Stiffness in the multifidus muscles can also lead to tightness in the cervical spine and contribute to this condition. To alleviate this, Yamauchi recommends applying a bandage (絆創膏) and performing specific stretches.
How to Apply the Bandage
1. Lightly bow your head to find the protrusion of your seventh cervical vertebra.
2. Apply the bandage diagonally upwards in a 'V' shape from this point on both sides.
3. This method keeps tension on the multifidus muscles, promoting stretching and relaxation.
Stretching Techniques
1. While seated, turn your head to look to the right and gently use your right hand to guide your head to the left over five seconds.
2. Repeat this movement three times on each side.
This method can significantly help those who feel their neck has thickened, as they may notice a reduction in firmness, especially after stretches. It's fine to remove the bandage afterward. If empowered once, the muscle memory will help maintain alignment for some time.
Interestingly, a quarter of survey respondents mentioned they employed methods like stretching, massage, or acupressure as their coping mechanisms. It’s essential to note that while these approaches can be beneficial, overdoing it can potentially damage muscle fibers. It is also crucial to be cautious when receiving help with stretches, as excessive force can interfere with the muscle's natural functionality.
About Yoshihiro Yamauchi
Born in 1970 in Nagoya, Japan, Yoshihiro Yamauchi has over 20 years of experience as a licensed physiotherapist. With more than 1.1 million followers on YouTube and 25,000 cases treated, he has successfully aided countless individuals, including those requiring wheelchairs or suffering from chronic pain. His mission to eliminate unnecessary surgeries and medications led him to develop unique self-care methods. He actively leads seminars nationwide, aiming to help everyone lead pain-free lives.
Yamauchi has authored several books, including 'コリと痛みの駈け込み寺！のびちぢみ体操' (KADOKAWA) and '1分でバキバキ肩こりがスッキリ！' (Takarajimasha). A new publication titled 'The All-in-One Patch for Body Ailments' is scheduled for release on December 25, 2024, coinciding with the launch of his specially designed bandage, 'Yamauchi Style Band-Aid™.' You can learn more from his YouTube channel: Yamauchi's Channel.
Company Information
- - Name: AKS Therapy Studio Co., Ltd.
- - Address: 1101, Dupulex Ginza Tower, 8-14-9 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
- - Representative: Yoshihiro Yamauchi, CEO.
- - Established: October 2017.
- - Business: Education in chiropractic techniques and the sale of health and chiropractic equipment.
- - Website: AKS Therapy
Topics Health）
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