THE IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF FOOT MASSAGE WITH COCONUT SHELL ON PRESSURE PAIN THRESHOLD AND FOOT GRIP STRENGTH IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS: A PILOT STUDY

Feet are very important parts of the body because they carry almost all of the body weight and contribute to human locomotion. Daily works in prolonged standing position may cause foot pain and fatigue easily. Currently, foot massage with coconut shells has been practiced in some eastern countries to relieve foot pain and fatigue for a long time without sufficient scientific evidence. This study aimed to preliminarily determine the immediate effects of a foot massage with coconut shell on pressure pain threshold and foot grip strength in healthy subjects. Thirteen healthy volunteers, who worked in standing position mostly, participated in the study and received a 5-minute session of foot massage using coconut shells. Pressure pain threshold and foot grip strength were measured before and 2 minutes after the foot massage. The results showed that foot massage with coconut shells could increase pressure pain threshold and foot grip strength significantly (P<0.05). We suggested that foot massage with coconut shells may raise pressure pain threshold of the feet and provide better effort on foot muscles contraction. Further study with a randomized controlled trial was recommended to verify these effects.