Body Mechanics

Body mechanics

Protecting your body while doing various activities and holding positions as you stand, lift, carry, and bend

Purpose of body mechanics

Conserves energy, reduces strain and stress on body, reduces risk of personal injury, leads to save movements of the spine, promotes/maintains proper body control and balance, promotes effective/efficient respiratory and cardiopulmonary function

Core of the body

Involved muscles of abdomen, lumbar, pelvic, hip regions

Muscular endurance and neuromuscular controls

Provides proper control of movement and positioning of trunk over pelvis

Valsalva phenomenon

Pt holds breath while performing physical activity → air gets trapped in thorax and inc intrathoracic pressure → venous blood flow into the R side of heart dec → cardiac output dec, peripheral blood pressure inc → cerebral vessel could rupture

Object COG

Point at which the object is heaviest to move or most difficult to adjust to new position

Person COG

Approx at the second sacral segment in the center of the pelvis

Things that change a persons COG

Ambulation aids, standing on one foot, reaching for an object, adjusting BOS

Proper body mechanic principles

Side up load → determine which lift to use → mentally and physically prepare → inc BOS → position yourself close to object → tighten core muscles → roll/push/pull/slide object → look straight ahead → take your time, move smoothly

Lift technique guidelines

Consider gravity and momentum → preposition and secure equipment → instruct pt and others on responsibilities and tasks → neutral position of lordosis of lumbar spine → avoid simultaneous trunk flex/rotation → keep hips/knees flexed → keep wide BOS → contract core stabilizing muscles → pay attention

Injury avoidance

Maintain general body strength and flexibility

Proper nutrition

Appropriate rest and sleeping habits

Good posture

Use of proper body mechanics

Potential injury causes

Lumbar spine is most vulnerable

Means of injury: single act of lifting, lifting improperly, repetitive lifting, cumulative episodes of microtrauma