Page 232 - Traditional Medicine Systems of BIMSTEC Member States – 2023 Report

Best Practice of

Thailand

1. Centre of Integrative Thai Traditional Medicine and

Holistic Health Care, Khon Kaen Hospital

(2022 National Excellent Model of General Hospital/Regional Hospital,
Diamond Level)

Currently, in the rehabilitation medicine department of Khon Kaen Hospital,
there is a significant increase in the number of patients with muscular pain-related

conditions, e.g., office syndrome (myofascial pain syndrome affecting neck, shoulder,
and back muscles – mostly due to long-hour of unhealthy sitting position in front of a

computer), back pain, knee osteoarthritis, piriformis syndrome, and herniated disc. It
T raditional Medicine Systems of BIMSTEC Member States – 2023 Report
has been found that more than 80% of patients do not fully recover and experience

chronic symptoms, leading to long-term use of pain-relieving medications or even
injections. Some patients consider receiving Nuad Thai therapy occasionally to alleviate

their pain. Through discussion between medical doctors and Thai traditional medicine
(TTM) practitioners, holistic and integrative approach of treatment was selected. The

treatment starts from determining patient’s dominant body element (dhathu chao ruen),
adjusting regular diet and daily lifestyle, along with various manual therapies – i.e.,

therapeutic Nuad Thai, acupuncture, and physical therapy – as well as encouraging
patients to engage in traditional exercise activities, e.g., Ruesi Dudton stretching exercise

and Maneevej exercise. Such treatment approach takes shorter duration to significantly
reduce pain and suffering and helps prolong pain-free interval.

The setting-up of this clinic was based on collaborative concept for the treatment
of muscular pain of rehabilitation medicine doctors, TTM practitioners, and traditional

Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors. The treatment process begins with patient’s assessment
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