PROPE

R BODY

MECHANICS

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU?

• Health care providers must know how to properly apply the principles of body mechanics to minimize personal and client injury

• The number of injuries in health care facilities related to improper use of body mechanics has risen over the years

TYPES OF LEVERS IN THE BODY

First Class Lever Head being tipped backward on the atlas The facial portion of the skull is the load, the joint between the

skull and the atlas is the fulcrum, and muscles of the back produce the pull

TYPES OF LEVERS IN THE BODY

Second Class Lever Raising the body on the toes The point of contact between the toes and the ground

is the fulcrum, the load is located at the ankle, and the pull is exerted at the gastrocnemius (the muscle in the calf)

TYPES OF LEVERS IN THE BODY

Third Class Lever Flexing of the forearm at the elbow joint as in lifting

a hand weight The load is the weight in the hand, the pull is the

biceps brachii muscle, and the fulcrum is the elbow. This is the most common lever in the body

PRINCIPLES OF BODY MECHANICS

Use the larger and stronger muscles to perform work

When moving heavy objects, push or pull instead of lifting

Get help!

Maintain good posture

• Back straight

• Knees bent

• Weight evenly distributed on both feet

• Feet shoulder width apart (about 12 inches)

Avoid twisting your whole body

Keep objects close to your body when listing or carrying

Avoid unnecessary bending

WHEN SHOULD YOU USE BODY MECHANICS?

You should use proper body mechanics at all times!

In everyday activity such as carrying your schools books, getting in or out of your car, moving a chair

In health care setting such as when moving a patient to or from a chair, picking up supplies, or positioning a patient in bed

ERGONOMICS

Ergonomics: the science of work

Fit the work to the user instead of forcing the user to the work

OSHA has developed a policy of “no lifting” in Long Term Care Facilities and other high risk areas http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/nursinghome/

index.html

LET’S TRY IT OUT!

Find a partner

Number 1-5 on a piece of notebook paper

Go through the five activities on the Body Mechanics Activity worksheet one partner at a time and check off on your notebook paper once your partner does each activity correctly

RANGE OF MOTION

Range of Motion: the complete extent of movement of which a joint is capable

RANGE OF MOTION

Active Range of MotionMovements performed by the patient without help

RANGE OF MOTION

Passive Range of Motion Movement cannot be performed by the patient and the health care worker moves each join through its range of motion

RANGE OF MOTION

Active Assistive Range of Motion The patient does the exercises with some assistance from another person