Myofascial Pain Syndrome: chronic upper trapezius muscle pain lasting more than 3 months, with at least one tender point in the upper trapezius, and a pain level between 5 and 7 on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), Thai massage, Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), Thai herbal medicine, Muscle pain relief, topical application
Conditions
Interventions
The participants will receive Thai massage on the upper trapezius muscles using THK (Thai Herbal Kratom) ointment. Sessions last approximately 30 minutes and are conducted on Days 1, 4, and 7, with a
Thai massage with Thai Herbal Kratom ointment,Thai massage with placebo ointment
Sponsors
Prince of Songkla University
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
20 Years to 60 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Aged between 20 and 60 years. 2. Diagnosed by an experienced Thai traditional medicine physician with myofascial pain syndrome, and at least one active trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle. 3. Experiencing pain for at least 3 months, with the most recent pain episode occurring within 1 week prior to study enrollment. 4. Numeric Rating Scale score between 5 and 7.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant. 2. Fever than 38.5 degrees Celsius. 3. Allergic to herbs or ingredients used in the ointment, including kratom, Zingiber montanum, galangal, kaffir lime peel, turmeric, aloe resin, or essential oils such as camphor, menthol, Borneol, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil. 4. Uncontrolled hypertension or experiencing dizziness, palpitations, vertigo, or nausea/vomiting due to hypertension. 5. Cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, stroke, or peripheral artery disease. 6. Infectious diseases, recent head or spinal trauma within 24 hours, open wounds at treatment site, blood clotting disorders, or fever caused by complications from other diseases (e.g., SLE, infection, cancer, or rheumatic conditions). 7. Osteoporosis, cervical spondylosis, or neuropathy causing numbness. 8. Psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment (e.g., schizophrenia, severe depression, suicidal ideation, dementia). 9. Use of painkillers or muscle relaxants within 1 week prior to treatment, or during the study. 10. Use of dietary supplements that may relieve muscle pain or stress (e.g., magnesium, calcium, vitamin B complexes). 11. Allergy to the experimental or placebo ointment, as indicated by a score >1 on the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) scale.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Pain intensity Days 1, 4, 7, and 10 Numeric Rating Scale; NRS | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Pressure Pain Threshold Days 1, 4, 7, and 10 Pressure algometer,Cervical range of motion Days 1, 4, 7, and 10 goniometer,Neck Disability Days 1, 4, 7, and 10 Neck Disability Index (NDI),Participant satisfaction Day 10 5-point Likert scale | — |
Countries
Thailand
Contacts
Public ContactKanchapat Mahaprom
Faculty of Traditional Thai medicine, Prince of Songkla University
Outcome results
None listed