Body Mechanics: It Refers To The Way We Move During Every

BODY MECHANICS
It refers to the way we move during every

day activities. Good body mechanics may be
able to prevent or correct problems with
posture (the way you stand, sit, or lie.) It is
important to have proper body mechanics
because it will protect our body, especially our
back, from pain and injury. Using good body
mechanics is important for everyone.
WHY DO WE NEED TO HAVE GOOD BODY

MECHANICS?
•Having our body in the right position helps protect our back and allows you to use your
body in a safe way. Your spine goes through the midline of your back, giving your back
stability and controlling it’s movement. Our spine is made up of:
 Thirty-three bones called vertebrae. These bones are stacked on top of each
other in a line. The line goes from the base of your skull to your rear-end.
 Shock absorbers called disks. Disks lie between the vertebrae, and cushion and
protect the vertebrae. They also allow some movement of the spine.
 Spinal cord and nerves. The spinal cord sends messages from your brain to your
body. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae, and is surrounded by spinal fluid.
 Small joints. Joints allow movement and help to stabilize your body.
 Muscles and ligaments. Ligaments support and strengthen joints. Muscles and
ligaments provide strength and power, support and stability.
 Injury to the spine may cause problems such as a loss of feeling, movement, and
strength. There may also be problems with the organs in your body, and a loss of
normal body functions. These functions may include going to the bathroom,
swallowing, or breathing. Good body mechanics are important because they will help
protect your spine and other parts of your body from injury.
 When caring for a person who is recovering from an illness, it is important to use
good body mechanics. You may need this when helping a person get in and out of
bed, into a chair, walk or just move around the house. You may also need to push a
person in a wheel chair or move the person in bed.
Practicing Good Body Mechanics
When standing, wear shoes. They protect your feet from injury, give you a firm
foundation and keep you from slipping. Keep your feet flat on the floor separated about
12 inches. Keep your back straight.
When walking, keep your back straight as you walk. If helping a person to walk, you
may need one arm around the back of the person. Put the other arm at the side to be
ready to help the person if needed.
When lifting an object, your feet should be apart, in a standing position. Keep your
back straight. Lower your body to get close to the object. Bend from your hips and
knees. DO NOT bend at the waist. When turning, rotate your whole body, not just your
back. Hold the object by putting your hands around it. Keeping your knees bent and
your back straight, lift the object using your arm and leg muscles. Do not use your back
muscles. If the object is too heavy, ask another person to help you. Many devices are
available to help move or lift heavy objects. If you need help from a device, ask
caregivers how to get one.
When carrying an object, hold the object close to your body. DO NOT carry things
that are too heavy for you. Always ask for help to move heavy objects. There are many
devices available to help carry heavy objects. If you need help from a device, ask
caregivers how to get one.
Pushing or pulling, use the weight of your body to help push or pull an object. Your
feet should be apart as in the standing position. Keep your back straight. Lower your
body to get close to the object. Bend from your hips and knees. DO NOT bend at the
waist. If the object or person you are pulling or pushing is too heavy, ask someone to
help you. There are many devices available to help you move, push or pull heavy
objects.
Sitting, if you can, sit on a hard chair with a straight back. Put a pillow or rolled towel to
support your lower back. When you sit for a long time, raise one leg higher than the
other to help keep from getting tired. This can be done by putting the leg on a footstool.
If doing something, such as reading or knitting, put a pillow on your lap to raise the
items closer to you. This will help keep your back straight. When you are driving, adjust
the seat to a comfortable distance to the wheel. Sit back in the seat so your knees are
even with the seat.
Sitting at a desk, sit in your chair with your back straight and with support in your lower
back. Do not sit for long periods of time. Get up and change positions. Adjust the
monitor of your computer so that the top is at the same level as your eyes. Use a paper
holder so that the document is at the same level as the computer screen. Use a
headset or the phone speaker if you use the telephone often.
To position a person on his side in bed, ask or help the person to bend their knees.
Put a soft pillow between the knees.
To position a person on his back with the bed flat, put a pillow under the person’s
head. A rolled towel may be used to support the lower back. A small pillow can be put
under the calves and ankles to raise the heels off the bed. A padded footboard may be
attached to the bed to keep the feet straight.
To position a person on his back with the head of the bed raised, put one or more
pillows behind the head and shoulders. A pillow may be put under the knees to bend
them a little. You may add a footboard to keep the feet in place.
Prepared by:
Lorenz Dennis Mellante Cediño

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BODY MECHANICS

It refers to the way we move during every

WHY DO WE NEED TO HAVE GOOD BODY

Practicing Good Body Mechanics

Lorenz Dennis Mellante Cediño

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