Thai Oil Massage: The Application of Traditional Knowledge in North-eastern Thailand

This qualitative research reviews the current state of traditional oil massage in the North-eastern region of Thailand and identifies methods to preserve traditional knowledge. The findings are obtained by interview, observation and focus group discussion. The results show that traditional knowledge of oil massage was developed to combat occupational health problems in local communities, and that it has been inherited through both self-education and apprenticeship. For each treatment, the masseur/masseuse (Maw Nam Man) prepares him/herself and his/her equipment. He/she then reviews the patient position before proceeding with the oil massage. There are no adverse effects during or after well-executed traditional massage therapy. In order to incorporate traditional oil massage therapy in holistic healthcare under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Health, traditional wisdom must be integrated with modern medicine procedures and a management framework must be formulated.