Using abdominal massage in bowel management
Michelle Connor Community nurse for people with learning disabilities, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Catherine Hunt Senior community nurse for people with learning disabilities, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Alison Lindley Lead physiotherapist for people with learning disabilities, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
John Adams Temporary lecturer, Anglia Ruskin University, Peterborough
This article describes the introduction of abdominal massage techniques by a community team as part of a total bowel management programme for people with learning disabilities. A trust-wide audit of prescribed laxative use by this client group raised concerns, and led to a more systematic approach to managing constipation in people with learning disabilities. An education programme for carers proved to be successful. Some reported that adopting abdominal massage provided further opportunity to develop the therapeutic relationship.
Nursing Standard.
28, 45, 37-42.
doi: 10.7748/ns.28.45.37.e8661
Peer review
This article has been subject to double blind peer review
Received: 05 December 2013
Accepted: 04 March 2014
Want to read more?
Already have access? Log in
or
3-month trial offer for £5.25/month
Subscribe today and save 50% on your first three months
RCNi Plus users have full access to the following benefits:
- Unlimited access to all 10 RCNi Journals
- RCNi Learning featuring over 175 modules to easily earn CPD time
- NMC-compliant RCNi Revalidation Portfolio to stay on track with your progress
- Personalised newsletters tailored to your interests
- A customisable dashboard with over 200 topics
Subscribe
Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days.
Buy now
Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more
