Thai Massage, and Thai Herbal Compress versus Oral Ibuprofen in Symptomatic Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Table 1

Main steps and methods of Suandok massage used in this study.

	Step of massage	Method
1	Massage on the right lower extremity in the supine position (Figure 2)	Massage practitioner kneeled at the right side of the patient, started thumb pressing at the right lower extremity along L1–L4 meridians, respectively, and then crossed the two hands with palm down to press on groin to “open the wind gate” for thirty seconds.
2	Massage on lateral aspect of the right lower extremity and medial aspect of the left lower extremity in the left lateral recumbent position (Figure 3)	Massage practitioner kneeled behind the patient, started thumb pressing at the three points (point numbers 1–3) located at right gluteal region, and continued thumb pressing at posterior aspect of the right thigh along L5 meridian and at the point number 4, respectively. Next, crossed the two hands with palm down to press at posterolateral aspect of the right lower leg along L6 meridian and finished with massage on the right foot. Afterwards, switched to massage on the left lower extremity by crossing the two hands with palm down to press at medial aspect of the left thigh along L7 meridian, then performed thumb pressing at the four points located at the left thigh and at popliteal fossa (point numbers 5–8), and continued thumb pressing at medial aspect of the left lower leg along L8 meridian, and then finished with massage on left foot.
3	Massage on the left lower extremity in the supine position	Followed step 1, but performed on the left lower extremity.
4	Massage on lateral aspect of the left lower extremity and medial aspect of the right lower extremity in the right lateral recumbent position	Followed step 2, but performed on the left lower extremity.
5	Massage on posterior aspect of both lower extremities in the prone position and massage on the posterior aspect of both knees (Figure 4(a))	Massage practitioner kneeled at the right side of the patient; started massage from both feet up to upper hips along posterior aspect of both extremities and then pressed on six points located at the posterior aspect of both knees (point numbers 9–14).
6	Massage on the anterior aspect of both knees in the supine position (Figure 4(b))	Massage practitioner kneeled at the right side of the patient and pressed on eight points located above and around the patella of both knees (point numbers 15–22).