Developing a model for providing massage services based on the principles of the Tripitaka scriptures to encourage characteristics of relaxation : A behavioral studies

Abstract

Thai massage was a type of science and traditional therapy based on the Buddhist scriptures which had been part of  Thai society. It has been used to promote healthy behavior along with health care. According to modern medical science, this study aimed to study the mechanisms of brain function. This research studied and examined meaning, system and mechanisms of underlying brain function, and behavioral relaxation characteristics. It focused on comparing foot and shoulder massage techniques that affected  relaxation characteristics and confirmed the massage prototype to enhance relaxation characteristics. This study employed a mixed method that combined quantitative and qualitative techniques. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews as research instruments with a reliability score of 0.978 by providing participants with self-evaluation surveys. Semi-structured interviews were employed for the interviews. Content analysis was used and statistical analysis was performed, utilizing fundamental statistics such as quantity, percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

The important results were as follows: (1) overall relaxation characteristics were the highest level (mean = 4.71). While comparing the average values from the  highest to the lowest; Item 6: Service recipients believed that foot massage was good and beneficial, especially in creating a feeling of relaxation (mean = 4.80); Item 1 : They believed that the feeling of relaxation in both the body and mind (mean = 4.77); Item 10: Massage with wisdom should be widely disseminated to create a feeling of relaxation among the public (mean = 4.73. (2) The results of the comparison of overall relaxation characteristics found that users of foot massages were more relaxed than users of shoulder massages. it was believed that massage caused blood circulation throughout the body with foot massage method (mean = 4.58); shoulder massage method (mean = 4.38). (3) Massage prototypes were used to create a sense of relaxation by massaging the shoulders or the foot to create blood circulation in the body. Both massage methods resulted in a sense of relaxation and were related to the system and mechanism of the brain's functioning and were linked to the emotion of relaxation. Therefore, Thai massage was an alternative method for health care to create a sense of relaxation in both the body and mind. It was a treatment method based on the principles of Buddhist scriptures, Thai traditional medicine along with medical science.