What therapy is exemplified when a nurse gently places their hands on a postoperative patient’s shoulders and encourages them?

The scenario described involves a nurse using a gentle, supportive touch by placing their hands on a postoperative patient's shoulders and offering encouragement. This action aligns with the concept of simple touch, which is primarily focused on providing comfort and reassurance without any complex techniques or interventions.

Simple touch is often utilized in nursing to provide emotional support, reduce anxiety, and enhance the therapeutic relationship between the caregiver and the patient. It emphasizes the importance of non-verbal communication and the healing effects of physical presence and contact, particularly in vulnerable situations like postoperative care.

In contrast, therapeutic touch involves a more intentional manipulation of energy fields and is generally a more structured practice. Massage therapy incorporates more specific techniques aimed at manipulating soft tissues to relieve tension, while acupressure involves applying pressure to specific points on the body based on traditional Chinese medicine principles. Each of these other therapies has its own distinct methodology and purpose, which differs from the gentle, straightforward comfort that simple touch offers.