Health Problem from Working as Thai Traditional Massage Therapists in Thailand

Abstract

A cross-sectional analytical study in Thai traditional massage therapists in public hospitals in Thailand was conducted, to determine health problems of Thai traditional massage therapists (TTMs) who work at Thai traditional medicine units in public hospitals in Thailand, from March to July 2012. The therapists completed a six pages questionnaire. About 60% of Thai traditional massage therapists practised both Common and Court-type Thai massage. The highest symptom of pain was lower back pain (82.2%) followed by upper back (80.2%) and neck (78.0%). The majority used incorrect posture which was the main cause from working while giving massage to the clients (76.1%). The posture mostly used kneeling on heels (75.9%) and the parts of the body mostly used were thumbs and knuckles (71.4%). This study showed the types of massage related to left shoulder pain (p=0.00) and the duration of working related to lower back pain (p=0.04). In conclusion, body mass index, period of working, types of massage, long working hours, and incorrect postures affected the therapists.