ABSTRACT:
Musculoskeletal discomfort and tension are increasingly prevalent among Malaysia's working population and aging society, partly due to urbanization, the nature of modern occupation with generally sedentary activities, and work-related stress. Unfortunately, pharmacological treatment of musculoskeletal discomfort and stress management may produce unwanted side effects and lead to long-term dependency. There is a great need to find a natural and harmless yet effective alternative. The purpose of this paper was to develop and evaluate the Thera Aroma, a natural hot topical oil that consists of virgin coconut oil, menthol, methyl salicylate, Amboyna wood (Cenuai), gui-zhi (Cinchona twig), and lime essence. This article follows the structure of a mixed-methods research paradigm. This research elicited the responses of fifty participants by using a 5-point Likert scale which examined the items of product smell, texture, warming, post-application comfort, and general satisfaction. Findings showed high acceptability scores on all the attributes of the sense of touch, including a pleasant aroma (92%), general satisfaction (90%), non-greasy texture (88%), and feeling comfortable after application (85%). In particular, the feedback obtained has pointed to the relief of pain, where most people have noticed a reduction in musculoskeletal pain and improved comfort, thus proving the effectiveness of Thera Aroma. This research clearly proves the value of the natural oils and therapeutic components present within Thera Aroma in alleviating both physical discomforts as well as psychological distress. It appears that a natural cream could be a very effective, safe, and acceptable method of enhancing musculoskeletal well-being.