Randomised control trial to compare the efficacy of traditional Thai massage and ultrasound therapy for treating plantar heel pain
Abstract Background Massage is suggested to be an effective treatment for chronic plantar heel pain (PHP). There is, however, no scientific evidence to support this claim. In the present study Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) has been compared with Ultrasound therapy (US) for treating PHP. Methods Six...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04754-9 |
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| author | Supamas Somphai Wiraphong Sucharit Punnee Peungsuwan Neil Roberts Uraiwan Chatchawan |
| author_facet | Supamas Somphai Wiraphong Sucharit Punnee Peungsuwan Neil Roberts Uraiwan Chatchawan |
| author_sort | Supamas Somphai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Massage is suggested to be an effective treatment for chronic plantar heel pain (PHP). There is, however, no scientific evidence to support this claim. In the present study Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) has been compared with Ultrasound therapy (US) for treating PHP. Methods Sixty PHP patients with a Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP) present in the calf were randomly assigned to receive a 40-minute single treatment of either US or TTM. Pain Intensity (VAS), Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion (DROM), and Foot Skin Temperature (FST), were measured before, immediately after, and 24 h after treatment. Results Compared to baseline, both groups showed a significant reduction in pain intensity immediately (CVAS) and 24 h after treatment (MVAS24) (p < 0.01), as well as a significant increase in PPT of the heel immediately after treatment (p < 0.05). However, only the US treatment group showed an increase in PPT in the calf immediately after treatment (p < 0.05). Furthermore, only the US group showed a significant increase in DROM immediately and 24 h after treatment (p < 0.001). The reduction in CVAS and increase in DROM immediately (p < 0.05) and 24 h after treatment (p < 0.01) were significantly greater in the US than the TTM group. Conclusions The significant efficacy of US with stretching for providing pain relief in the treatment of PHP is confirmed. For the first time, TTM has also been demonstrated to be effective in providing pain relief for patients with PHP and may have a potentially useful complementary role, in treating PHP. Trial registration TCTR20210909001 (First Submitted Date: September 2021). |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
| spelling | doaj-art-4545e3cb06a64e4fa03ee4d85e8d1e782025-02-09T12:11:59ZengBMCBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies2662-76712025-02-0125111010.1186/s12906-025-04754-9Randomised control trial to compare the efficacy of traditional Thai massage and ultrasound therapy for treating plantar heel painSupamas Somphai0Wiraphong Sucharit1Punnee Peungsuwan2Neil Roberts3Uraiwan Chatchawan4Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation Department, Banlueam HospitalResearch Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance (BNOJPH), Khon Kaen University (KKU)Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance (BNOJPH), Khon Kaen University (KKU)School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences (AMS), Khon Kaen University (KKU)Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance (BNOJPH), Khon Kaen University (KKU)Abstract Background Massage is suggested to be an effective treatment for chronic plantar heel pain (PHP). There is, however, no scientific evidence to support this claim. In the present study Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) has been compared with Ultrasound therapy (US) for treating PHP. Methods Sixty PHP patients with a Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP) present in the calf were randomly assigned to receive a 40-minute single treatment of either US or TTM. Pain Intensity (VAS), Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion (DROM), and Foot Skin Temperature (FST), were measured before, immediately after, and 24 h after treatment. Results Compared to baseline, both groups showed a significant reduction in pain intensity immediately (CVAS) and 24 h after treatment (MVAS24) (p < 0.01), as well as a significant increase in PPT of the heel immediately after treatment (p < 0.05). However, only the US treatment group showed an increase in PPT in the calf immediately after treatment (p < 0.05). Furthermore, only the US group showed a significant increase in DROM immediately and 24 h after treatment (p < 0.001). The reduction in CVAS and increase in DROM immediately (p < 0.05) and 24 h after treatment (p < 0.01) were significantly greater in the US than the TTM group. Conclusions The significant efficacy of US with stretching for providing pain relief in the treatment of PHP is confirmed. For the first time, TTM has also been demonstrated to be effective in providing pain relief for patients with PHP and may have a potentially useful complementary role, in treating PHP. Trial registration TCTR20210909001 (First Submitted Date: September 2021).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04754-9Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP)Plantar Heel Pain (PHP)Traditional Thai Massage (TTM)Ultrasound therapy (US) |
| spellingShingle | Supamas Somphai Wiraphong Sucharit Punnee Peungsuwan Neil Roberts Uraiwan Chatchawan Randomised control trial to compare the efficacy of traditional Thai massage and ultrasound therapy for treating plantar heel pain BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP) Plantar Heel Pain (PHP) Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) Ultrasound therapy (US) |
| title | Randomised control trial to compare the efficacy of traditional Thai massage and ultrasound therapy for treating plantar heel pain |
| title_full | Randomised control trial to compare the efficacy of traditional Thai massage and ultrasound therapy for treating plantar heel pain |
| title_fullStr | Randomised control trial to compare the efficacy of traditional Thai massage and ultrasound therapy for treating plantar heel pain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Randomised control trial to compare the efficacy of traditional Thai massage and ultrasound therapy for treating plantar heel pain |
| title_short | Randomised control trial to compare the efficacy of traditional Thai massage and ultrasound therapy for treating plantar heel pain |
| title_sort | randomised control trial to compare the efficacy of traditional thai massage and ultrasound therapy for treating plantar heel pain |
| topic | Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP) Plantar Heel Pain (PHP) Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) Ultrasound therapy (US) |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04754-9 |
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