title: CE: Incorporating Acupressure into Nursing Practice.
abstract: Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, the use of acupressure to alleviate symptoms, support the healing process, promote relaxation, and improve overall health has grown considerably in the West. The effects of acupressure--like those of acupuncture, with which it shares a theoretical framework--cannot always be explained in terms of Western anatomical and physiologic concepts, but this noninvasive practice involves minimal risk, can be easily integrated into nursing practice, and has been shown to be effective in treating nausea as well as low back, neck, labor, and menstrual pain. The author discusses potential clinical indications for the use of acupressure, describes the technique, explains how to evaluate patient outcomes, and suggests how future research into this integrative intervention might be improved.
authors.affiliation: Judy Wagner is an NP and codirector of the Integrative Health Program at the Minneapolis Veteran's Affairs Health Care System.Contact author: judy.wagner@va.gov. The author and planners have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D019050:Acupressure / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D009325:Nausea / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*