chapter 23: body mechanics, positioning, and moving

disuse syndrome

signs and symptoms that result from inactivity

gravity

force tht pulls objects to center of the earth

energy

capacity to do work. Used to move the body from place to place. Required to overcome the force of gravity.

balance

stead position with weight.

center of gravity

point at which the mass of an object is centered. For standing position is center of pelvis between umbilicus and pubic bone.

line of gravity

imaginary vertical line that passes through the center of gravity. Head to feet through center of the body.

base support

area on which an object rests. The feet are the base of support when a person is in a standing position.

alignment

parts of an object being in proper relationship to one another. The body is in good alignment in a position of good posture.

neutral position

the position of a limb that is turned neither toward nor away from the body’s midline

anatomic position

frontal and back views with arms at the sides and palms froward

functional position

position in which an activity is performed properly and normally. In the hand, the wrists are slightly dorsiflexed between 20 and 35 degrees and the proximal finger joints are flexed between 45 and 60 degrees, with the thumb in opposition and in alignment with the pads of the fingers

posture

the position of the body or the way in which it is held

muscle spasms

sudden, forceful, and involuntary muscle contractions

body mechanics

the efficient use of the musculoskeletal system

• increases muscle effectiveness, reduces fatigue, and helps avoid repetitive strain injuries

repetitive strain injuries

disorders that result from cumulative trauma to musculoskeletal structures

ergonomics

a specialty field of engineering science devoted to promoting comfort, performance, and health in the workplace

functional mobility

an alignment that maintains the potential for movement and ambulation

supine position

person lies on their back

foot drop

permeant dysfunctional position caused by a shortening of the calf muscles and a lengthening of the opposing muscles on the anterior leg

lateral position

a side laying position

lateral oblique position

a variation of the side lying position, client lies of the side with the top leg placed in 30 deg of hip flexion and 35 degrees of knee flexion

prone position

where client lies on the abdomen

sims position

a semi-prone position

• lies on left side with right knee drawn up toward the chest

• used for observing rectum and vagina

fowler position

a semi-sitting position

• helps for breathing problems- exchange of greater volume of air

• BUT can decrease blood flow to lower extremities (coccyx) increasing rick for pressure ulcers

low fowler

head and torso are elevated to 30 deg

mid fowler (semi fowler)

elevation up to 45 deg

high fowler

elevation of 60-90 deg

bed board

a rigid structure placed under a mattress

contractures

permanently shortened muscles that resist stretching

Trendelenburg position

head is lower than the feet

shearing

the force exerted against the surface and layers of the skin as tissues slide in opposite but parallel directions