Therapeutic touch involves using hands to

• A. Massage muscle tissue to relieve stiffness.
• B. Direct an energy exchange from the practitioner to the patient to facilitate healing or pain relief.
• C. Monitor vital signs with sensors.
• D. Provide nutrition counseling.

Answer: (B)

Therapeutic touch involves using hands to direct an energy exchange from the practitioner to the patient to facilitate healing or pain relief. The idea is that placing or hovering hands near the body can influence energy fields to promote relaxation, comfort, and well-being, rather than physically manipulating tissues. This distinguishes it from massage, which directly manipulates muscles and soft tissue to relieve stiffness; monitoring vital signs with sensors is a measurement task; and nutrition counseling involves giving dietary guidance. Directing an energy exchange for healing or pain relief best captures what therapeutic touch aims to do.