Treatment Approaches for Long COVID Based on Traditional Medicine  Wisdom: A Case Study of Healer Suphamas Kananurak in Chonburi Province

Suratsawadee  Chantachon; Phanphasa  Saothong; Chitchanok  Ketpetch; Pinkamon  Sompeewong; Piyapong  Choochana; Permsuk Sripinyo

doi:10.60027/iarj.2025.289667

Authors

Suratsawadee Chantachon Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4173-1728
Phanphasa Saothong Flex Rehab Clinic, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0589-4728
Chitchanok Ketpetch Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3256-0854
Pinkamon Sompeewong Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9171-7865
Piyapong Choochana College of Oriental Medicine, Rangsit University, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2785-4034
Permsuk Sripinyo Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8533-7513

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60027/iarj.2025.289667

Keywords:

Long COVID Treatment, Local Wisdom, Traditional Medicine, Holistic Treatment

Abstract

Background and Aims: Long COVID is a condition where patients continue to experience symptoms after recovering from COVID-19 infection. This represents a new medical challenge that impacts quality of life across physical, mental, and social dimensions. While modern medicine has developed treatment guidelines, there are still limitations in addressing the diverse symptoms of this condition. Therefore, re-examining and applying local traditional medical wisdom, which emphasizes holistic treatment, is a valuable alternative approach that warrants systematic study. This research aims to: 1. Study the current situation and problems in treating Long COVID. 2. Develop an integrated treatment approach that can be sustainably incorporated into community-level healthcare systems.

Methodology: This is a Qualitative Research study utilizing a case study of Dr. Supamas Kananurak, a traditional healer in Chonburi province. Data was collected through documentary review, in-depth interviews, non-participant observation, and field notes. Purposive sampling was used for participant selection, and content analysis was employed under the framework of traditional medicine concepts, along with triangulation to confirm data trustworthiness.

Results: Long COVID still lacks comprehensive treatment guidelines within the current healthcare system, leading some communities to turn to local wisdom, such as the treatment provided by Dr. Supamas Kananurak. Her approach emphasizes balancing the body with herbal medicine and traditional Thai massage, based on the patient's dominant elements. This holistic treatment also includes mental health care through aromatherapy and meditation. This approach promotes both physical and mental recovery and can be appropriately integrated into modern healthcare systems at the community level.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that treatment of Long COVID by traditional healers can be a suitable alternative for addressing complex health conditions, especially within the context of Thai communities that possess cultural capital. Such approaches should be promoted through further research and integrated with modern healthcare systems, considering the efficacy, safety, and sustainability of local wisdom.

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