【Department of Tokyo Judo Therapy】Workshop for Students from Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)
On August 22, 2025, we welcomed 20 trainees from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to our university. The group consisted of students majoring in physiotherapy and occupational therapy, who expressed strong interest in Japan’s traditional practice of Judo Therapy. To introduce them to this unique field, we held a short workshop conducted in English.
The theme of the workshop was Reduction Techniques, a core element of Judo Therapy. While Judo Therapists are internationally recognized under the WHO-registered English term “Judo Therapist”, in practice they function more precisely as “Judo Reduction Therapists”—medical professionals who perform reductions (repositioning) of fractures and dislocations. Our aim was to help the students understand this distinction.
For the case study, we chose the Colles’ fracture, a common fracture near the wrist. The SIT students were already well-versed in this condition, so we proceeded directly to the practical session. I first demonstrated the reduction procedure on a staff member acting as a patient, explaining each step in detail. The students observed attentively, asked many thoughtful questions, and even volunteered to experience the procedure themselves. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn were truly inspiring.
Afterward, the students practiced the reduction technique themselves using a Colles’ Fracture Reduction Model that we employ in our own training sessions. They performed the procedures skillfully, and rather than being satisfied with a single attempt, they repeatedly practiced and sought further clarification to refine their techniques. Their commitment to improvement left a lasting impression on us.
The desire to help those in need and the willingness to embrace new skills are qualities essential to all healthcare professionals. Despite differences in educational settings and qualifications, I felt firsthand that such dedication transcends language barriers.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at our university who contributed to this workshop, as well as to our colleagues and students from the Singapore Institute of Technology, for making this valuable exchange possible.
Masayuki Oguro
Department of Tokyo Judo Therapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences
The theme of the workshop was Reduction Techniques, a core element of Judo Therapy. While Judo Therapists are internationally recognized under the WHO-registered English term “Judo Therapist”, in practice they function more precisely as “Judo Reduction Therapists”—medical professionals who perform reductions (repositioning) of fractures and dislocations. Our aim was to help the students understand this distinction.
For the case study, we chose the Colles’ fracture, a common fracture near the wrist. The SIT students were already well-versed in this condition, so we proceeded directly to the practical session. I first demonstrated the reduction procedure on a staff member acting as a patient, explaining each step in detail. The students observed attentively, asked many thoughtful questions, and even volunteered to experience the procedure themselves. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn were truly inspiring.
Afterward, the students practiced the reduction technique themselves using a Colles’ Fracture Reduction Model that we employ in our own training sessions. They performed the procedures skillfully, and rather than being satisfied with a single attempt, they repeatedly practiced and sought further clarification to refine their techniques. Their commitment to improvement left a lasting impression on us.
The desire to help those in need and the willingness to embrace new skills are qualities essential to all healthcare professionals. Despite differences in educational settings and qualifications, I felt firsthand that such dedication transcends language barriers.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at our university who contributed to this workshop, as well as to our colleagues and students from the Singapore Institute of Technology, for making this valuable exchange possible.
Masayuki Oguro
Department of Tokyo Judo Therapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences
