Toyooka Michael T, DC

I had been going to Dr. Toyooka for a few months and he uses the Activator adjustment tool. It’s basically a «gun» looking device that the Dr. sets and it pushes your discs back into alignment. Before this I had not seen a chiro for many, many years so I was thinking it’s all good.
The reason I had started going was because I pulled my back a couple times in the last couple years and the 2^nd time around something just wasn’t right. After the muscle tightness settled down I noticed a growing «feeling» in my tailbone area, right side. Showed up again a couple more times with the same complaint and got the Activator treatment again, traction table for about 10 mins or so, and also a nice massage by the woman with lots of tattoos — very relaxing. However over time the feeling in my tailbone began to worsen.
By now I was wondering why no xrays ordered? Why the same treatment routine? Nothing else was done to further explore the issue. I got sick one weekend and unintentionally missed an appointment and that was probably the best thing to happen.
The pain turned sciatic and life was getting a bit more painful — unable to sit for periods of time which made driving to work, drop off the kids to school (all within 10 mins of my house). I was jumping out of the car hopping/​hobbling around in pain. So… I decided to just go to another chiro instead of getting the «same old same old».
I also didn’t like going on the traction table because it’s so out in the open with no walls and people can look right at you as they wait in the waiting area. So yeah, I felt a bit exposed. Look at the photo of the shoji screen — that’s the traction table area in the back and you can see right in.
Also, another time I was being treated I could hear a woman (who I assume was one of their practitioners of some sort) arguing with the patient in the next room. There are also no doors except in the back hall where the massage rooms are. Basically the patient was telling the lady if she could focus more on her lower back and then the lady raised her voice and snapped back that the patient needs to let her treat her how she needs to be treated. WTH? First, don’t argue with your patient so loudly people can hear, with no doors. And secondly, the patient employs the Dr. and his staff. I found it off putting and totally rude and unnecessary because the patient wasn’t being loud or rude at the time.
Dr. Toyooka is a very nice guy though, no problems there. I just didn’t feel like he was able to treat effectively and escalate to another specialist when needed. I felt a bit let down as the appts progressed so with all that combined I just decided it wasn’t for me.

I have seen other chiropractors before and some of them are just out to get your money. When you ask for stretching or exercises to help you get better, they may tell you that only chiropractic treatment will help you, so you better come every week for X amount of time. Relax, this office is quite different.
I found Dr. Toyooka after researching a list of doctors that would accept Kaiser insurance. What stood out to me was that Dr. Toyooka uses the Activator method, which is a gentler way of aligning your bones. On his website, there are several youtube videos available to give you more information about his practice and philosophy.
The office is right above Kaimuki Longs, so depending on what time of the day it is, parking is ample.
On my first visit, Dr. Toyooka was very informative and thorough. One of the reasons I wanted to go to a chiropractor was to address my headaches and migraines. I was getting headaches several times a week, and migraines at least 1 – 2 times per month.
After my first adjustment, I didn’t feel as much pain in my legs after a busy shift of waitressing. After the next set of adjustments, I didn’t feel the same results as the first visit. However, I have noticed my headaches AND migraines have decreased! I used to refill my migraine medicine often, but haven’t had to refill in a while. I haven’t dramatically changed my lifestyle, so I can say with much certainty that getting adjusted here has helped me.
I also appreciate that Dr. Toyooka is helping me to address my TMJ and also gave advice about the clicking in my right hand (beginnings of trigger finger).
I highly recommend anyone to go and see him. I encouraged my sister to go in and now she is telling her friends about him. When I go into the office, I see people of all ages here – teenagers to grandma and grandpas. The doctor is very personable and I feel he genuinely cares about his patients and their well being.
The staff is great. I hate when I go to a dr.‘s office and the receptionists are catty or unfriendly. Mona is very warm and pleasant and always greets people as they come in.
If you need a massage, that is also an available service. I have had massages from Tanya (Saturdays) and I was really pleased. She addresses all your sore and aching spots, and you leave feeling really relaxed – so much so that I often go home and take a really long nap.

I’m reviewing based on one experience. I was impressed by him not trying to «sell himself» but just being honest… He basically said, «This is my approach… not all approaches work for everyone. You have to find what works for you… See how you feel today, and if it works, come back…». I appreciate that, because most chiropractors I’ve been to (I’ve been going most of my life), they tell you, «Yes, we can help you… you need to come in 3x/​wk for 1 month, then decrease to 1 or 2 times per week, etc»… BUT they never get you off their charts; you can go indefinitely! AND they tell you that you have to come back for an extended period to see results. Dr. Toyooka expected me to feel differently immediately, but the length of time each person’s «adjustment» holds is dependent upon each person’s body, so he made no blanket statements.

Great experience! I found Dr Toyooka through a groupon deal, but his regular rates are also very reasonable. He will be our family chiro for the remainder of our time on island.