I gave a back massage yesterday

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and it made me think of the tread not to long about about how nursing "used" to be and all the time we "used" to have to devote to our patients. How we were able to wash them up and give back rubs but sadly that is not the case any longer.

It made me chuckle to myself-AN threads creeping up into my professional life and all that. And also made me happy as the patient really, really appreciated it.

we need more nurses like you who will go above and beyond

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Not every patient, and I don't have them often but on those who are being T&R q2h or have limited mobility, (or any pt just for the heck of it, if I have a minute while helping to wash up)... I massage pt's backs with each turn. Nothing extensive or too time consuming, just a little something to help relieve the pressure & discomfort of those beds. It makes them feel better & also helps increase their circulation, bonus! :D

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Specializes in ER.

Therapeutic touch. Massage IS a nursing intervention, and a great one at that. 2 minutes can make a world of difference.

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Specializes in Psychiatric nursing.
maybe its just me.....even if I had a bunch of extra time, I wouldn't be massaging my patients.....:sstrs:

In giving kudos I forgot to mention I work in a mental health crisis assessment team :lol2:, but kudos!!

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My feet and back hurt too much to perform a massage- I need one myself after being on my feet and pulling people up in bed all day. On the few occasions that I do give a massage, it's because the patient is too weak to turn (back) or has dementia (hands or scalp). Also, in the past, I've had some patients say inappropriate things to me while giving them a massage, so that's another reason why I rarely give them.

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Part of my clinicals were at an LTC and after giving one of the pts a bed bathe she did express how nice it would be to get a massage - I like giving massages however even if I did wanted to, you need to be a LMT in my state, am not.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Part of my clinicals were at an LTC and after giving one of the pts a bed bathe she did express how nice it would be to get a massage - I like giving massages however even if I did wanted to, you need to be a LMT in my state, am not.

All states require you to be a LMT, if you are charging/benefiting financially from it. I'm assuming this LTC pt wasn't going to pay you under the table for a massage. As it was, there would have been nothing wrong with you giving her a nice relaxing massage.

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I give massages quite a bit, my unit has an unwriiten rule that we should try two nursing interventions for pain control before breaking out the narcs.

I have seen pts who are mean and surly calm down if I sneak in a massage while doing tx's. I try to, whenever possible, not glove up when interacting with pts. I've held many hands and it amazes me how my relationship with a pt can change just because I came in and held their hand while listening to them verbalize a complaint, a fear, or even just a bit of dementia rambling.

My only one request I get a lot that terrifies me are pts who request leg massages. I apply lotion to legs a lot, or do ROM or limited stretches for contactures...but many of my pts are susceptable to clots..recent surgery, DVT's, etc and it pains me to have to say no.

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well.....i just dont think massages are appropriate for my demographic of patient. im not going to rub down my non-compliant chronic CHFer that im diruesing for a day or two then sending home. i just dont think that would be appropiate use of massage. that patient doesn't need a massage any more than i do! but it is in no way unfortunate for my career that im not rubbing down these people, half of which hit on me at work! hmph.

now if my demographic was old contracted total care patients, im sure my attitude would be different. but anyhow, the nurses on my floor don't give baths. if anything i think the opportunity would present itself to the tech.i do utilize theraputic touch when applicable.

i graduated from a major university nursing program a few years ago and massage was NEVER presented.

i polled my floor b/c i was starting to think i was crazy, but no one else massages pt's either........

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
well.....i just dont think massages are appropriate for my demographic of patient. im not going to rub down my non-compliant chronic CHFer that im diruesing for a day or two then sending home. i just dont think that would be appropiate use of massage. that patient doesn't need a massage any more than i do! but it is in no way unfortunate for my career that im not rubbing down these people, half of which hit on me at work! hmph.

now if my demographic was old contracted total care patients, im sure my attitude would be different. but anyhow, the nurses on my floor don't give baths. if anything i think the opportunity would present itself to the tech.i do utilize theraputic touch when applicable.

i graduated from a major university nursing program a few years ago and massage was NEVER presented.

i polled my floor b/c i was starting to think i was crazy, but no one else massages pt's either........

I understand that certain therapies are not appropriate for all demographics......

Still, it makes me sad that no one in your area was even aware of the potential for what must surely be an "old-fashioned" nursing intervention. A sign of the times, no doubt.

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well.....i just dont think massages are appropriate for my demographic of patient. im not going to rub down my non-compliant chronic CHFer that im diruesing for a day or two then sending home. i just dont think that would be appropiate use of massage. that patient doesn't need a massage any more than i do! but it is in no way unfortunate for my career that im not rubbing down these people, half of which hit on me at work! hmph.

now if my demographic was old contracted total care patients, im sure my attitude would be different. but anyhow, the nurses on my floor don't give baths. if anything i think the opportunity would present itself to the tech.i do utilize theraputic touch when applicable.

i graduated from a major university nursing program a few years ago and massage was NEVER presented.

i polled my floor b/c i was starting to think i was crazy, but no one else massages pt's either........

Sorry that you never get to do some of the nicer things in nursing. Giving a bath or a back rub (we are NOT talking MASSAGE here) can reveal a wealth of information, or simply allow YOU to feel good about going the extra mile for someone who is sick and stuck in a hard bed all day.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
well.....i just dont think massages are appropriate for my demographic of patient. im not going to rub down my non-compliant chronic CHFer that im diruesing for a day or two then sending home. i just dont think that would be appropiate use of massage. that patient doesn't need a massage any more than i do! but it is in no way unfortunate for my career that im not rubbing down these people, half of which hit on me at work! hmph.

now if my demographic was old contracted total care patients, im sure my attitude would be different. but anyhow, the nurses on my floor don't give baths. if anything i think the opportunity would present itself to the tech.i do utilize theraputic touch when applicable.

i graduated from a major university nursing program a few years ago and massage was NEVER presented.

i polled my floor b/c i was starting to think i was crazy, but no one else massages pt's either........

I don't think I would describe it as a "rubdown" :lol2: - it was a standard part of HS care - and was very specific as to the steps you would go through and the whole thing would probably take not more than 10 minutes. Although my ancient textbook pointed out that it is better to use a lotion or emollient rather than the then-standard alcohol to rub the patient's skin. It's a casualty of modern times, just like baths apparently are, too. I'd imagine many of your non-compliant diuresing CHF patients could use a nice bath, though.

The backrubs helped people to rest and helped stimulate circulation in patients that typically spent more time in the hospital as an inpatient, and I guess had a reasonable expectation of not being subjected to the typical beeps, clatters and hallway noise that is typical of night shift in most hospitals today. I don't see why the disdain is necessary.

Melmarie - I too wish we had more time to do things like that . . . they just help us connect with our patients and see a fairly instant improvement and genuine appreciation! Nowadays short stays and higher acuity levels make that kind of thing a rarity.

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