Zone-therapy Appliances for Relieving Pain
All sorts of simple instruments may be used by patients in pain for temporary relief. All sufferers know the relief of tightly clenching the nails into the palms of the hands. An aluminum comb tightly held does even better. The handle of a table-spoon may be used to press against the tongue for relief of pain in almost any part of the body. Patients in pain, especially women in childbirth, know the relief of press¬ing the feet against the foot of the bed. If the surface pressed against is rough—a serrated piece of metal fixed to a piece of wood, or the rough edge of a shallow box—the relief seems to be greater. Nurses also learn to stroke the backs of the hands of patients in pain. Sometimes the stroking is more effective if the material or instrument used is rough.