MS Nurse International Acupressure Initiative by Megan Weigel

MS Nurse International Acupressure Initiative by Megan Weigel, DNP, APRN-c

In 2018, after completing a fellowship in Integrative Medicine, I had the desire to introduce a hands-on modality in my practice, so I decided to try a Soul Lightening Acupressure course.  I got really lucky to a) have found my people so quickly, and b) to have my first course be one of the last in-person courses before COVID.  I am a nurse practitioner in neurology with a special interest in MS.  I found it difficult to meaningfully use acupressure in the conventional medical setting. I thought a small study would help pave the way for justifying the time it takes. I applied for an award called the Nightingale Award through the International Organization of MS Nurses.  I received the award and was able to complete the study with that funding.  My personal and professional belief in the power of our work led to the approval of a small case series using acupressure for pain and anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis.

Pain and anxiety are common symptoms in MS.  Pharmacological treatments for these symptoms often result in untoward side effects.  Mental health resources and rehabilitation services have limited resources and coverage.  Acupressure is a safe modality identified as helpful for pain and anxiety and is recommended as a level 2b treatment in the clinical guideline for pain management from the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Academy of Family Practice (AAFP) for certain types of pain.

The body of literature for acupressure is growing, but nursing literature is usually limited to the hospital setting.  There is little data documenting the benefits of acupressure in MS.  This case series was designed to determine the effectiveness of acupressure for anxiety and/or pain in people living with MS.

I scheduled 60 minute sessions for 4 people of various ages and ability levels, all living with MS.  All had a reduction in pain according to the Wong-Baker Faces Scale, and the 2 who reported anxiety, also had a reduction in anxiety according to a faces scale for anxiety.  None had side effects.  This is significant given that most pharmacological treatments for these symptoms come with many side effects and the potential for adverse events.