Introduction
shoulder pain, pain, muscular aches, pains, PLSP
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard procedure in gallbladder surgery [Various approaches have been investigated to relieve PLSP following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In some studies, different surgical techniques, drainage, respiratory approaches [Multifaceted methods for pain relief are essential due to the complex pain mechanism after laparoscopic cholecystectomy [“Therapeutic massage is the manipulation of the soft tissue of whole body areas to bring about generalized improvements in health, such as relaxation or improved sleep, or specific physical benefits, such as relief of muscular aches and pains” [In addition, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as an essential strategy in interventions and clinical approaches for analgesia and its side effects due to unique benefits such as ease of use, efficiency, inexpensiveness, and low risk is increasing. TENS uses batteries and electrodes on the skin based on the adjusted frequency and pulse width by providing alternating current for various therapeutic purposes [Although various techniques have significant effects in reducing PLSP, to our knowledge, no previous research compared these two interventions, massage therapy and TENS, for the relief of shoulder pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Considering the prevalence of 63% of shoulder pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the increase of patients who complain of PLSP [