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42 วารสารการแพทย์แผนไทยและการแพทย์ทางเลือก ปีที่ 10 ฉบับที่ 1 มกราคม-เมษายน 2555

Abstract

Study on the examination, diagnosis and treatment based on the theories of 10 main
energy lines (sen prathan sib) and elements (tard) of Thai massage therapists
Makorn Limudomporn*, Pakakrong Kwankhao*, Boontam Kitniyom**, Yongsak Tantipidok***, Pinit Chinsoi****
Kanchana Buadok*, Jiraporn Yovatit*****, Kunanit Hongtrong*****, Pawatsara Kampheratham*, Sudarat Suwanpong*
*

* Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital, Mueang district, Prachin Buri province
** Association of Thai Massage, Nonthaburi province
*** Academician, Yan Nawa district, Bangkok
****Wangnamyen Hospital, Wang Nam Yen district, Sa Kaeo province
*****Abhaibhubejhr Thai Traditional Medicine College Praboromarajchanok Institute of Health Workforce
Development, Mueang district, Prachin Buri province
****** Health and Development Foundation (HDF), Bangkok Yai district, Bangkok

The objectives of this study were to observe the procedures of examination, diagnosis and treatment based on
the 10 main energy lines (sen prathan sib) theory and the element (tard) theory of Thai traditional massage
pratised by Thai massage therapists and to compare the diagnosis performed by Thai massage therapists with that
performed by modern medical doctors. The study was carried out on 200 volunteers selected according to 12
groups of symptoms from outpatients at Abhaibhubejhr Hospital with the help of the assistants of Thai massage
therapists in screening and documenting the initial case history before referring to the modern doctor for the
examination and diagnosis; after that the volunteers were sent to six Thai massage therapists for examination,
diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of the treatment.
The study showed that Thai massage therapists had two different techniques of examination related to the 10
main energy lines: one was pressing on the origin of the 10 main energy lines and the other was pressing on the
affected area to determine whether the affected area was related to which main energy line. Whereas the diagnosis
based on the theory of elements showed that most of the volunteers (49.5%) were diagnosed with the vitiation of
earth element (tard din pikarn) and 29.5% with the vitiation of wind element (tard lom pikarn). By comparison,
Thai massage therapists diagnosed the volunteers according to the symptoms and the areas with the presenting
symptoms whereas modern medical doctors diagnosed according to the cause of illness or sometime according to
the symptoms.
Regarding the treatment, Thai massage therapists treated the volunteers by pressing on the points on the
affected main energy lines, but each therapist had a different technique for the massage. Apart from Thai massage,
other supplementary techniques were also used such as fomentation with herbal poultice (14.5%). Some doctors
also advised the volunteers about the regimen to be followed.

Keywords: 10 main energy lines (sen prathan sib), theory of element (tard), Thai massage therapist