| Summary: | 碩士 === 經國管理暨健康學院 === 健康產業管理研究所 === 104 === Past literature has identified that approximately 60% to 80% of Taiwanese nationals will suffer from shoulder and neck pain during their life time. With the arrival of the information age, younger generations must complete large amounts of their work sitting at computers. This requires that individuals maintain the same posture whilst typing for a long time, without any additional movements. Shoulder and neck pain cause a number of issues for many people, yet very few of them choose to go to a doctor for these problems. Pain medications are regularly used to relieve such types of pain. As an alternative to these, in the modern age, people may employ treatments such as sprays, pain patches, pain balms, exercise, massage and other auxiliary therapies like heat therapy.
The present study included subjects who were clients of an aromatherapy spa in Xinyi District of Taipei who suffered from shoulder and neck pain. Subjects were treated with a combination of aromatherapy, acupuncture with pottery needles, and hand massage. The effects of these were measured via the pain index and heart rate variability.The study used a true experimental design in which subjects were openly recruited. Subjects who fit the criteria were randomly divided into three groups: Experimental Group 1, Experimental Group 2 and the control group. Each group consisted of 15 subjects. Experimental Group 1 received a combination of acupuncture with pottery needles, aromatic oils and hand massage on their shoulders and necks. Experimental Group 2 received a hand massage with basic Jojoba oil on their shoulders and necks. The control group rested without receiving any intervention. The experiment duration was six weeks, and the intervention was performed once per week during this time. Following observation and evaluation of the subjects during the one and a half month experimental period, it can be concluded that Experimental Group 1 had the most relief from the intervention followed by Experimental Group 2. The control group had fewest significant improvements.
The present study found that a combination of aromatherapy,
acupuncture with pottery needles, and hand massage significantly relieved shoulder and neck pain. This was reflected by both the subjects’ subjective ratings and by objective measurements of their variability in heart rates. The results of the study thus promote the use of this combination of aromatherapy, acupuncture with pottery needles, and hand massage of the neck and shoulders. This may give sufferers more choices for their pain relief and reduce their need to use medications or invasive therapies.
|
|---|
