The effect of acupressure on postoperative pain of lumbar disc hernia: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a disease characterized by lumbar and leg pain that occurs as a result of compression of the lumbar spinal root by the degenerated disc. The results of the study showed that 80% of humans experienced lumbar pain in any period of their lives [[1], [2], [3]]. Comprising an important part of lumbar pain; lumbar disc herniation (LDH) has an prevalence of approximately 15–56% per year [4,5].

One of the treatment methods preferred for patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation is surgery. Patients, who undergo surgery, experience intense pain in the early postoperative period [6].

It is known that medications are commonly used in pain control. Analgesic treatment used for pain control is the most preferred treatment method for pain relief as it has a rapid action and is administered easily [7,8].

Damages in both individual and national economy due to preferring carelessly and frequently analgesics affect negatively some physiological functionings and have negative effects such as development of addiction with the increase of dosages every time especially in cases where narcotics are preferred [9]. Thus, it is indicated that the administration of non-pharmaceutical methods by nurses to relieve the postoperative pain in patients in addition to medications increases the action of medications [8].

It is anticipated that there are numerous non-pharmaceutical methods which are efficient in pain management, such as distraction, relaxation, therapeutic touch, transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS), informing, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, massage, aromatherapy, music and meditation, yoga, attention-grabbing, imagination, cognitive-behavioral techniques. But, it is known that nurses do not use these methods adequately to relieve pain [10].

It may be asserted that non-pharmaceutical treatments are among independent nursing roles of professional nurses who have theoretical knowledge and problem solving ability. Nurses are required to take a role in non-pharmaceutical interventions in order to meet the health needs of individuals, families and society [11].

One of the non-pharmaceutical treatment methods used in pain relief is acupressure. Applied with touch pressuring on the acupuncture points using hands, fingers, thumbs or small beads according to the traditional Chinese medicine; acupressure is a non-pharmaceutical pain relief example that balances energy in the body [[12], [13], [14]].

Advantages of acupressure include low cost, learning convenience and non-invasive characteristics [14]. Besides, randomized clinical studies conducted to compare physiotherapy and acupressure in decreasing lumbar pain (LBP) have reveal that acupressure might be effective [[15], [16], [17]]. The use of acupressure in nursing practices by taking all its positive effects into consideration will contribute to the establishment of qualified nursing care standards.