The acromial morphology of Thais in relation to gender and age: study in scapular dried bone.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to determine the acromial shape and examine if there is a correlation between the acromial morphology and genders, ages and sides. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present examined 154 dried Thai scapulas (107 males and 47 females) with age range from 16 to 87years (mean = 49 + 17 years). The acromial morphology of each scapula was studied by the computerized image analysis of digitized photography through the supraspinatous outlet view, with the distance (M) measured from its anterior to posterior end, the height (H) of the resultant curve and the distance (N) from the anterior end to the point perpendicular to the height. The acromial types were defined as type I (flat), II (curved) and III (hooked) with the criteria that N is more than or equal to the 2/3, 1/3 and less than 1/3 of M, respectively. RESULTS: The incidences of types I, II and III were 3.2%, 93.5% and 3.2%, respectively. It was found in both sexes, female (93.6%) and male (93.5%) and in both sides, left (96%) and right (91.1%). With respect to the age range, type II were found in 100% of subjects of less than 30 years, 4.5% in those between 30-60 years, were 4.5% (1), 93.2% (1), 2.3% (111). Those more than 60 years old were 2.3 %(1), 90.7% (11) and 7.0% (III). The spur formation on the anterior end of the acromion was found in 14.9% of scapulas, curved type mostly; and it was associated with hooked type in only one scapula. CONCLUSION: There was no significant type difference between sex, side and age range (p > 0. 05). The spurs found are not related to acromial morphology and old age.

Effectiveness of the Royal Thai traditional massage for relief of muscle pain.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of Thai traditional massage for muscle pain relief. Methods: Adults with muscle pain in the neck and/or shoulder and/or back without organic causes that needed specific treatment who attended the Ayuraved Clinic during April to May 2004 received royal Thai traditional massage performed by experienced personnel. An effectiveness of royal Thai traditional massage was determined by pain relief assessed by visual analog scale Results: There were 115 participants; 88 (76.5%) were females. The mean age of the participants was 47.9 years; 45.2% of them had shoulder pain, 40.9% back pain and 26.1% neck pain. The median duration of the symptom was 4 months. The mean pain scores of the participants before and after the royal Thai traditional massage were 7.0 and 3.2, respectively (p<0.001). The participants who had a pain score < 3 before and after the royal Thai traditional massage were 3.5% and 79.1%, respectively (p<0.001). Adverse effects of the massage were not observed. Conclusion: Royal Thai traditional massage is probably effective in relieving muscle pain of the neck, shoulder and back.