THAI INDIGENOUS MEDICINE TREATMENT FOR KNEE PAIN

A survey of current Thai indigenous medicine treatment for knee pain was carried out in four regions of Thailand, by questionnaires and interviews.The causes of knee pain were classified into two categories: a) physical (injury, degenerative, inflammatory), and b) behavioral (obesity, occupational, and inactivity). The methods used by traditional healers to treat knee pain consisted of 1) aromatic herbal medicine(sesame oil, coconut oil), 2) compounded herbal medicine, 3) traditional Thai massage and/or point-pressure using natural products mainly animal teeth, 4) hot compression, 5) red lime plastering. Most practitioners also performed ritualistic or faith healing. The results of this survey confirm that Thai people continue to use traditional methods to treat knee pain problems. Further studies of the effectiveness and limitations of these methods are warranted so that the application of Thai traditional medicine and local wisdom with the best outcomes may be promoted as an alternative treatment for knee pain. Acknowledgements: Mae Fah Luang University and folk healers in four regions of Thailand

รายงาน โครงการศึกษาเพื่อการจัดทำข้อเสนอเชิงนโยบาย การบริการและส่งเสริมสุขภาพชุมชน ด้วยภูมิปัญญาพื้นบ้านล้านนา

Policy recommendations for the development of health service and health promotion in communities by using local healing in Northern Thailan