Injury Prevention and Body Mechanics
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Body mechanics is a term used to describe the ways we move as we go about our daily lives. It includes how we hold our bodies when we sit, stand, lift, carry, bend, and sleep. Poor body mechanics are often the cause of back problems. When we don't move correctly and safely, the spine is subjected to abnormal stresses that over time can lead to degeneration of spinal structures like discs and joints, injury, and unnecessary wear and tear. That is why it is so important to learn the principals of proper body mechanics.
- Good body mechanics means using the body’s strength to the best mechanical advantage to do a task efficiently and without injury.
- A task does not have to be “heavy” or seem difficult to put us at risk for injury; many injuries occur because of the wear and tear of poor body mechanics on our bodies over time.
- Proper body mechanics are vitally important for keeping your spine healthy, it's easy to incorporate these principals into daily life.
Posture[edit | edit source]
Good body mechanics are based on good posture [read link].
Good posture means the spine is in a "neutral" position - not too rounded forward and not arched back too far.
- Avoid “awkward” postures that cause injuries,
- Try to keep the body close to “neutral” or normal position while working and in daily tasks.ie a straight spine with centre of gravity being within persons base of support.
- We move in and out of “neutral” posture all the time! (ie: walking, reaching, etc.) The idea is to be as close to neutral as
- possible and do not use heavy forces (ie: pushing, pulling, lifting) when outside of our base of support.
Whether sitting at a desk or at home watching television, good body mechanics are still important to keep in mind. For deskwork, consider investing in an ergonomically enhanced chair.
- Place your buttocks at the back of the seat while maintaining a small space between the back of your knees and the seat of the chair.
- Place your feet flat on the floor with your knees bent at a 90° angle.
- Pull your shoulders back and lift your chest.
- Lift your chin until it is level and relax your jaw and mouth.
- If your chair has armrests, make sure they are positioned to support the weight of your arms. Not too high to make you hunch or too low to make you reach. Footrests can also be a helpful way to maintain good posture while sitting. Make sure the footrest is positioned so that your knees are bent comfortably and are level with your hips.
- Make sure you have enough support for your lower back. Look for a chair that has adjustable lumbar support. If that is not possible, increase back support by using a lumbar roll or even a rolled up towel or cushion placed behind lower back.
Working with Wheelchair/seated clients Clients[edit | edit source]
- Plan first and set-up equipment properly.
- Clear area of obstacles.
- Transfer or lift a client over the shortest possible distances.
- Communicate with client and other staff.
- Allow the client to assist as much as they are able to.
- Use general body mechanics principles.
- Always ask for assistance if you are not sure.
- NEVER lift or carry a client alone manually (must be lifted by at least two staff or by mechanical lift if alone)
Injury Prevention Tips[edit | edit source]
• Design work/tasks that facilitate variety.
• During all loading tasks, avoid a fully flexed spine and rotate the trunk using the hips.
• During lifting, choose a posture to minimize the reaction torque on the low back (stoop, squat, etc), but keep the external load close to the body.
• Consider the transmissible vector: direct external forces through the low back when pulling on a door handle, vacuuming, etc.
• Use techniques that minimize the actual weight of the load being handled.
• Allow time for the disc nucleus to “equilibrate,” ligaments to regain stiffness, and stress on the annulus to equalize after prolonged flexion, and do not immediately perform strenuous exertions.
• Avoid lifting or spine bending shortly after rising from bed
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