Body Mechanics and Lifting

*Info taken from content master

Why are body mechanics important for a therapist?

They keep the therapist from unnecessary stress and strain by maintaining proper alignment

What are the key principles of body mechanics?

• Use the shortest lever arm

• Stay close to the patient

• Use larger muscles

• Avoid rotary movement

• Keep your and the patient’s COG within the BOS

What guidelines should be followed when lifting?

• Increase your BOS

• Maintain lumbar curve

• Pivot feet, DO NOT twist your back

• Maintain a slow and steady speed

• Only lift an object as a last resort

Deep squat lift

• Hips below level of knees

• Feet parallel, wide BOS

• Straddle object

• Grasp objects on opposite sides

• Maintain a vertical trunk

• Lumbar spine in lordosis with anterior pelvic tilt

Half-kneeling lift

• Kneel on one knee

• Bottom leg behind the object

• Maintain normal lordosis

• Move the object onto knee and draw it toward the trunk

• Begin rising to standing position

One-leg stance lift

*Used for lifting light object that can be lifted with one extremity

• Face object in lunge position

• Shift weight forward

• Flex forward and lower to grasp object

• Back leg lifts off ground for counterbalance

• Maintain a neutral spine

Power lift

• Hips above level of the knees

• Wide BOS with feet parallel

• Grasp from either side (or below)

• Trunk remain vertical

• Maintain lumbar lordosis and ant. pelvic tilt

Traditional lift

• LEs in full squat facing object

• Feet parallel on either side of object

• Grasp object and flex UEs

• LEs engage to move object

• Keep object close and maintain lumbar lordosis

Pushing or pulling technique

• Assume semi-squat position

• Apply parallel force

• Attempt to push, pull, slide, or roll prior to lifting