Body Mechanics

what is Body Mechanics?

The way in which we position our bodies during tasks

• Bodies subject to the principles of biomechanics

• Body position affect efficiency of movement

• Poor position increases stress on tissues

what is WRMSD’s

Work Related Musculoskeletal disroders

what are Musculoskeletal disorders

• conditions that are caused by or aggravated by wokrplace activites

  • musculoskeletal strain injuries

  • cumulative trauma disorders

• painful disorders

  • muscles, nerves, ligaments, tendons

• develop gradually over time

• repeated exposure to a variety of risk factors

what are economic results of Musculoskeletal disordesr

• results in restricted or lost work time

• $20 billion yearly-direct costs

  • workers comp

  • medical expenses

• 5X more in indirect costs

  • lost revenue

  • absenteeism

  • costs related to hiring/training new employees

• $120 billion yearly in direct and indirect costs

what are some injuries to physical therapists

• manual therapy

• transfer/lift

• enviornment/equipment

what body part has the highest percentage of likely injury?

wrist and hand by 80.6%

what are body mechanics

different systems of the body working together for movement during everyday activites, muscles, bones, nerves

what does body mechanics help maintain?

• balance

• posture

• alignment

what do body mechanics help with?

• energy efficiency

• prevents injury

• improves cardiac and respiratory function

• encourages proper body control and balance

• promotes safe movements

what are the main principles of body mechanics

Moving, lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying

what are the steps to using proper body mechanics

1. assess the load

2. think ahead, plan adn communicate the move

3. check base of support, have firm footing

4. face what you are lifting

5. keep back straight

6. tighten stomach muscles when beginning

7. keep the object close to your body

8. do not twist

9. bend your knees and squat to lift/low center of gravity

10. know your limits and seek assistance when needed

11. LEGS NOT BACK!

12. use smooth, rythmic movements at normal speed

13. push or pull rather than lift

14. push before pulling

additional principles of body mechanics for lifintg and moving patients

• assess the task and seek help if needed

• reposition the patient to allow for proper body mechanics

• lock bed wheels and wheelchair wheels before moving

• make sure the patient has non-skid footwear

• communicate!!!

preventing musculoskeletal injuries

• stay healthy and fit

  • stretching program

    • warm-up

    • stretch throught the day

    • change positions

• strengthening program

• endurance program

  • body composition

  • proper nutrition

• identify potential problems and hazards

• solutions to control hazard

  • proper ergonomics

• early reporting of injury

what are the best practices for reducing risk for WRMSDs

• prepare

  • setting up bed, equipment, chair

• positioning

  • equipment

  • patient

• rest breaks

• proper work station

  • chair

  • computer

  • table/bed

• adress symptoms promptly

• proper body mechanics

  • lifting

  • pushing/pulling

  • carrying

• maintaining good physical fitness and conditoning

  • stretching

  • strenghtening

  • posture