Back Rubs

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Just curious, do nurses give patients back rubs any longer?

That was one of my favorite therapeutic interventions 'back-in-the day'. That was before DRGS and short stays, when a patient could spend days or weeks on hard, vinyl covered mattresses and backs got sore.

Patients really responded to a good rub and were so grateful for it.

Specializes in Home Care, Primary care NP, QI, Nsg Adm.

It has been interesting hearing all the different experiences with back rubs since I started this thread. Seems like a 'love or hate' relationship.

Appears the 'back-rub' took on a different meaning over the past few decades. Frankly, I didn't expect some of the opposition and dislike for it but that just dates me I suppose.

Having had back massages for pain over the years, I can attest to its effectiveness and like Tait, if you've ever had chronic neck/back pain, a kind of gnawing pain that makes you just want to get inside those scarred muscle fibers and pull them apart, a massage is just great.

When I was in NP practice I had a great interest in neck/back pain, likely inspired by my own and wonderful therapy I had in my last hospital I worked in by the best PT I have ever known. I had referred so many patients to her that they made a rule that I had to have a physician countersign all of my referrals.

I learned over the years that many chronic somatic complaints such as various aches and pains, head aches, etc., are musculo-skeletal in origin, which is no surprise given the amount of stress many of us have. And, taking the time to listen, evaluate and understand a patient can lead to simple discoveries that can be so much more beneficial than rotating NSAIDS.

Anyway, the responses have been interesting. Thanks to all for sharing your experiences.

Specializes in ICU, Trauma, ER, Peds, Family Practice.

Since I had been an RN for 41 years, I knew that I would need to retire someday. I did go to massage school and become licensed and also nationally certified in Reflexology. This all started in nursing school as we learned to give proper back massages, hands , feet and shoulders. Throughout my years in nursing I noticed how important a profession touch is to some patients.

As a massage therapist, a good deal of my clients have chronic health problems and injuries. They feel very safe with me as they know I am knowledgeable in medical and surgical problems so providing a safe place for touch can have a profound effect on the body. There are different massage modialties as mentioned in the previous post. The all work very well. Rolfing is wonderful but you have to be ready for the deep work as you are retraining the nervous system . To me there is nothing better than a good massage performed by a therapist who is present for you in a safe professional environment.

There are some hosipitals that offer free massages to staff and families of current patients. These are performed by massage therapists that volunteer their services. Massage has come along way from old theory that is is sexually related. It is far from that.

Warm Regards to all

Paddlelady

Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I don't. I have given a foot rub and it was much appreciated.

Sorry I dont do back rubs. I file it right up there with pep who bend over and want me to wash or wipe some spot they claim to not be able to reach. Not gonna happen. Call me evil or whatever you want. Dont care. Your back hurts, Ill get you some lortab. You want a back rub, call your spa or your husband.

Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

I have rarely had the time. One time however I was able togive one to an elderly lady with chronic pain issues who was reluctant to take pain med unless it was almost urged on her. That backrub had almost an analgesic effect on her and she slept quite soundly that night for many more hours than usual for her.

Specializes in Home Care, Primary care NP, QI, Nsg Adm.

To Paddlelady,

Nice post, thanks. I have a question, what is the physical impact on a professional masseuse, i.e. hands, wrists, shoulders, back.

Specializes in CVICU.

After reading this thread, I actually sort of did a back rub the other night. I say "sort of" because it was when I was applying lotion. The patient had Stage IV lung cancer with mets everywhere. Family wouldn't let him go. He was on the vent, miserable, with lots of skin issues. Anyway, I did rub his back a little when we changed his sheets because I'm sure he was uncomfortable. He wasn't able to communicate much with me, but I hope it helped him feel a little better.

The aforementioned patient finally coded and died a couple nights ago (so sad, since the family made us code him). In any case, I often took this poor man every time he was on our unit, and I gave him the best care possible, trying to reduce the pain and suffering he incurred. Maybe that "sort of back rub" helped him a little... that's all I can hope for.

Specializes in Home Care, Primary care NP, QI, Nsg Adm.

cOntagion,

Sounds like you did a great job!

Specializes in ICU, Trauma, ER, Peds, Family Practice.

To Paddlelady,

Nice post, thanks. I have a question, what is the physical impact on a professional masseuse, i.e. hands, wrists, shoulders, back.

In massasge school they teach you body mechanics and how to be cautious not to injury your hands ,wrists or back. Heck sitting at a computer you can get head,neck,shoulder ,back and hand injuries. I use my elbows doing deep tissue on the back. Your table is at the correct height so a not to injury your back. You do lots of stretching and make sure you get your own body work. I have been doing massage part time for 10 years and I am still good and I am 60. I never wanted to do massage full time anyway. I think those that do are canadiates for injury. I still knit and play the guitar. So far so good. Yeah

Thanks for your interest.

Paddlelady

Specializes in ICU, Trauma, ER, Peds, Family Practice.

"Sorry I dont do back rubs. I file it right up there with pep who bend over and want me to wash or wipe some spot they claim to not be able to reach. Not gonna happen. Call me evil or whatever you want. Dont care. Your back hurts, Ill get you some lortab. You want a back rub, call your spa or your husband. "

Sounds like you have your own professional boundaries. That is a good thing. Not everyone has to be comfortable doing back massages. We all have our niche in this profession.

Paddlelady

OK I admit. I haven't done the hands on TLC stuff on a regular basis lately either d/t time constraints and the patient population (post partum) being younger and all. But, I was recently a surgical patient myself (and it has been years since such experience being a patient), and I forgot how helpless you can be with certain things. Plus, I didn't want to bother my co-workers unnecessarily, as they let me come to the floor I work on. Its really hard to do some simple things with an abd incision. So, I'll take that exp. back to work with me when I return, and be more available to my C/S pts for those 'little things' when they're up for the first couple of times.

Specializes in Emergency.

I don't give back rubs in the ED - sorry!

When I was nursing student on a med-surg floor, I had a 28 yo post-op hyst pt in severe pain. She looked very uncomfortable, was on Dilaudid PCA (which should have been increased by the primary RN per MD orders, IMO; I couldn't mess with the PCA pump as a student). I dimmed the lights, got some warm washcloths, pulled up a chair at the pts bedside, and I gave the lady a hand massage with the warmed towels. It seemed to help her anxiety and help her relax a bit - it was the least I could do, as I had little control over anything else.

I did this 3-4 yrs ago and haven't had the need to do anything similar in the ED setting. I'd be afraid of being accused of "inappropriate touching", or "exaccerbating" someone's chronic back condition (I can just hear it now; "that nurse was rubbing my back and she pulled one of my back muscles - and now my back is killing me"). I am not trained in massage therapy and therefore, I do not provide that service. However, I am trained to administer meds so here's some valium and dilaudid! :bugeyes:

+ Add a Comment