Effectiveness of Thai Herbal Wrap for Osteoarthritis of Knee at Prapokklao Hospital, Chanthaburi Province.

Abstract

Effectiveness of herbal wraps (Poultice) for knee pain relieving, anti-inflammatory, reduced joint swelling in patients with osteoarthritis of knee. The researchers choose to experiment with nine different herbs and spices, the studies have shown that the herbal wraps can reduce inflammation and have cooling effects on elderly patients who suffer from knee Osteoarthritis. The research framework and duration was conducted with qualitative research and experimental research which selected 20 subjects by using purposive sampling method. Results shown that most of volunteers are satisfy with the Thai herbal wrap. It can help to relief pain and reduce joint swelling of knees after treated with an herbal blend of nine herbs and spices wrap. The researcher concluded that all nine herbs and spices have the same effects of anti-inflammation and pain relieve for osteoarthritis patients. They divided the herbal effects into two main groups, the first one had a warming effects which helps increase circulation blood flows, relief pain and reduce bruises. They are consist of Cassumunar ginger, Ginger, and Asian spider flower. The second group had cooling effects that helps cooling the body and antiinflammation of joints which contain green chiretta, cluster fig, Polynesian arrowroot, Harrisonia perforata, Capparis, and Bai Ya Nang. It helps relief pain and reduce symptoms of Osteoarthritis of knee, increase range of movement in the joint. Moreover, all natural herbs in the herbal wrap may not cause any harms to the joint and the body. In term of the severity of pain scale, the result shows that the pain score was decreased after using the herbal wrap. The score decreased from 6 to 2 and 5 to 1 are seven subjects in each group. Six subjects indicate the score decreased from 4 to 1. According to the effectiveness of herbal wraps, the researcher suggested that this herbal wraps (Poultice) for knee is considered as an alternative treatment for patients with knee osteoarthritis and need to conduct more research in order to support and prove that oriental medicine is an alternative way to treat osteoarthritis of knee patients. Keywords : Effectiveness, Herbal wrap, Osteoarthritis of knee, Elderly