Article: Thai traditional massage: Issues causing possible adverse effects

Thai traditional massage is a widely used massage technique in Thailand and is presently accepted by local Thai Ministry of Public Health. The technique is promoted but not well accepted internationally. There is a concern about the effectiveness as well as safety of this local wisdom. After a recent episode of concurrent acute heart attack and Thai traditional massage in a patient, the issue of possible adverse effects of Thai traditional massage is being widely discussed.

Citing Articles

Standardised 25-Step Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) Protocol for Treating Office Syndrome (OS).

Sucharit W, Roberts N, Eungpinichpong W, Hunsawong T, Chatchawan U Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023; 20(12).

PMID: 37372746 PMC: 10297894. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126159.

Healthcare-seeking behavior and awareness of physical therapy among Japanese residents in Thailand: a descriptive study.

Tanaka S, Inoue Y, Kaminiwa Y, Mogi K, Tanaka R J Phys Ther Sci. 2021; 33(5):388-393.

PMID: 34083876 PMC: 8165363. DOI: 10.1589/jpts.33.388.

ROLLER MASSAGE: A COMMENTARY ON CLINICAL STANDARDS AND SURVEY OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROFESSIONALS- PART 1.

Cheatham S, Stull K Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2018; 13(4):763-772.

PMID: 30140569 PMC: 6088127.

References

1.

Disayavanish C, Disayavanish P . Introduction of the treatment method of Thai traditional medicine: its validity and future perspectives. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1999; 52 Suppl:S334-7. DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.1998.tb03261.x. View

2.

Karnik R, Winkler W, Valentin A, Khaffaf N, Slany J . Carotid sinus massage and the risk of cerebral embolization. Stroke. 1995; 26(6):1124-5. View

3.

Kumnerddee W . Effectiveness comparison between Thai traditional massage and Chinese acupuncture for myofascial back pain in Thai military personnel: a preliminary report. J Med Assoc Thai. 2011; 92 Suppl 1:S117-23. View

4.

Subcharoen P . Thai traditional medicine in the new millennium. J Med Assoc Thai. 2011; 87 Suppl 4:S52-7. View

5.

BECROFT D, Gunn T . Prenatal cranial haemorrhages in 47 Pacific Islander infants: is traditional massage the cause?. N Z Med J. 1989; 102(867):207-10. View

6.

Ram S, Kyaw K, Noor A . Haematoma testes due to traditional massage in a neonate. Trop Doct. 1994; 24(2):81-2. DOI: 10.1177/004947559402400216. View

7.

BECROFT D, Gunn T . Intracranial haemorrhages in Pacific Islander stillbirths: is traditional massage the cause?. N Z Med J. 1985; 98(771):18-9. View

8.

Beal M, Park T, Fisher C . Cerebral atheromatous embolism following carotid sinus pressure. Arch Neurol. 1981; 38(5):310-2. DOI: 10.1001/archneur.1981.00510050076014. View

9.

Buttagat V, Eungpinichpong W, Chatchawan U, Kharmwan S . The immediate effects of traditional Thai massage on heart rate variability and stress-related parameters in patients with back pain associated with myofascial trigger points. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2010; 15(1):15-23. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2009.06.005. View

10.

Yoopat P, Maes C, Poriau S, Vanwonterghem K . Thai traditional massage: efficiency-assessment of three traditional massage methods on office workers: an explorative study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2015; 19(2):246-52. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2014.04.006. View

11.

Sahathevan R, Tan H, Abdullah S, Shahizon A, Hamidon B, Raymond A . Spinal cord compression following traditional confinement massage. Med J Malaysia. 2012; 66(5):495-6. View

Thai Traditional Massage: Issues Causing Possible Adverse Effects