Immediate effects of traditional Thai massage for reducing pain in patients with Chronic -tension type headache and Migraine

Abstract

Chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) and Migraine are the most common types of the functional headache. They may cause significant level of disability for patients. Nowaday,  Traditional Thai massage (TTM) is one of the alternative therapies which are enhancing popularity. Unfortunately, evidence supporting its efficacy is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of TTM on pressure pain threshold (PPT), headache intensity (VAS) and Cervical range of motion (CROM) by comparing it with sham ultrasound (light massage and switch off). Seventy-two subjects were randomly assigned either the TTM group or the sham ultrasound group. The single treatment showed that the results of both groups were slightly increase in PPT when comparison between before and after treatment. Seventy-two subjects were randomly assigned into each group. Results indicated that both groups showed slightly increase in PPT (TTM 2.95 pound/cm², sham ultrasound 2.92 pound/cm²), whereas non-significant difference in PPT between the groups (P > 0.05). A significant reduction in both VAS were found (TTM 2.76 cm, sham ultrasound 2.72 cm), whereas non-significant difference in VAS between the groups (P > 0.05). Similar, result were found for CROM only right cervical rotation among patient in TTM were significant greater than  sham ultrasound   (P < 0.05). We concluded that the TTM can reduce pain similar to the light massage using sham ultrasound. Therefore, both treatments may be promoted as an alternative primary health care treatment for patient with functional headache.