Page 74 - Proceedings of The Fifth Meeting of Indigenous Medicine in the Mekong Basin

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6. THAILAND

6.1 Mrs. Nahae Sukruanthong

Hometown: Mae Hong Son Province
Ethnic group represented: Lahu
Years of practice: more than 30 years
Area of expertise: Abdominal massage for the treatment of
infertility in woman, massage for the treatment of partial
paralysis, paralysis, muscle sprain & pain, and joint pain, and
post natal care
Previous award or recognition received: -
Educational background and work experience: Although Mrs.
Nahae, a 77-year-old folk healer from Lahu ethnic group, is well-
known for her abdominal massage for the treatment of infertility
in woman; she actually makes a living as an agriculturist. She
usually gives the treatment to the patients in her community after
or before her routine work.
Knowledge transfer: When she was young, she
had a problem in conceiving a baby, so she asked
for the treatment from her ancestors. Since then, she
learned the abdominal massage by observing and
remembering the movement of hands and body
during the treatment provided by her ancestors.
Treatment process:
1. Taking patient’s history by questioning about the
patient’s background.
2. Body examination by touching the uterus of the
patient to investigate the problem of the uterus. For
example, the uterus may be bending or in the lower
position.
3. Abdominal massage to straighten or displace the
uterus for 1.30-2 hours. The number of treatments
depends on the condition of each patient.
4. Make an appointment with the patient to follow up
regularly. Her advice for her patient is not to lift any
heavy things.
Related rite/ritual: Patient who successfully gets
pregnant will offer the traditional costume of Lahu
ethic group to Mom Nahae as thank-you gift.
Professional attitude: To help people to have a
baby is her happiness. It is like performing the good
deeds.
Showcase summary: Mom Nahae demonstrated
the abdominal massage to the patient whose uterus
was bending.