Development of Akakluwa Oil to Reduce Shoulder Muscle Pain in Patients with Lom Plai Pattakhat Sanyan 4 by Self-Massage Method

Abstract

Introduction and objective: Shoulder muscle pain in patients with Lom Plai Pattakhat Sanyan 4 is a common health problem in working-age women, which affects work efficiency and medical treatment costs. Some may need to take time off work. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Akakluwa oil in reducing shoulder muscle pain using self-massage in the Thai Traditional Medicine Clinic, Khok Pho Hospital, Pattani province.
            Methods: The study and development were conducted in three steps: (1) Study the situation, problems, and needs of 30 patients with Lom Plai Pattakhat Sanyan 4; (2) Prepare Akakluwa oil to reduce pain; and (3) Study the effectiveness of Akakluwa oil by self-massage in 28 patients. A quasi-experimental research design was used, with a single group pre- and post-test. The assessment was conducted by comparing the level of shoulder muscle pain and the degree of neck muscle movement before and after the test. The satisfaction and adverse symptoms after using the oil were assessed. The consistency value was 1.00 and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.89. Data were collected and analyzed by content analysis, percentage, mean, and standard deviation; and the dependent t-test and Wilcoxon signal rank test were used.
            Results: (1) Among the participants with Lom Plai Pattakhat Sanyan 4 problems and needs, most of them had pain in the muscles of the neck, shoulders and back due to working in front of the computer for more than 6 hours a day, including numbness in the fingertips. The patients need herbal massage oil that helps relieve pain; it has properties that make them feel relaxed, has a good smell, and is easy to carry and use. (2) The preparation of Akakluwa oil is obtained by frying the core of the horse twat and mixing menthol and camphor solutions in the specified amount. The oil obtained has important properties: a light-yellow color and fragrant herbs. The viscosity ranged from 20 to 100 mPa·s and was absorbed into the skin within 5 to 15 minutes. (3) The mean level of shoulder pain after using Akakluwa oil was (M = 1.50, SD = 1.69), which was better than the mean level of pain before using Akakluwa oil, which was (M = 6.04, SD = 1.89). The range of neck muscle movement in six positions, was significantly increased (p<0.01). (4) The level of satisfaction with using Akakluwa oil was very good (M = 4.50, SD = 0.38), and no adverse effects from using the oil were found at 100 percent.
            Discussion: The relief of muscle pain by self-massage combined with aromatic herbal oil resulted in relaxation for the patients. The Akakluwa oil developed from the roots of Ficus sarmentosa Buch has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. The results showed that the average pain score before use was 6.04, which decreased to 1.50 after use (p<0.001). In addition, the oil significantly increased the range of motion of the neck. The satisfaction of the users with the product was high (M = 4.50), especially in terms of the duration of action (M = 4.93), and the relief of stress (M = 4.87).
                  Conclusion and recommendations: Akakluwa oil can be effective in relieving shoulder muscle pain from the disease “Lom Plai Patkat Sanyan 4” and may be an alternative product for relieving muscle pain. However, further studies should be conducted on its chemical properties using various techniques and other monitoring variables such as muscle tension and quality of life to make the study more comprehensive.