body mechanics

Body Mechanics

• Body mechanics is the coordinated effort of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems to maintain balance, posture, and body alignment during lifting, moving, bending, and performing activities of daily living (ADLs).
• The learning outcomes of the session include defining body mechanics, explaining its importance and principles, and observing body mechanics in nursing care.

Definition

• Body mechanics is the coordinated effort of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems to maintain balance, posture, and body alignment during lifting, moving, bending, and performing activities of daily living (ADLs).

Body Mechanics: Overview

• The human body functions like a well-organized machine, with each part having a specific job.
• Eyes see, ears hear, and muscles enable movement.
• Body mechanics governs mobility through purposeful and coordinated use of body parts and positions during activity.
• Proper body mechanics maximizes the effectiveness of musculoskeletal and neurological systems.
• The purpose of proper body mechanics emphasizes injury prevention (muscle, joint, and tendon strain prevention).

Strain

• A strain is a stretching injury to a muscle or muscle-tendon unit due to mechanical overload.
• Common sites for strains include the lower back and cervical regions of the spine.

Sprain

• A sprain is an injury to a ligament, often resulting from twisting motions.
• Forces in opposing directions can overstretch or tear ligaments.
• Common sprain symptoms include bleeding into soft tissue, tenderness, and swelling (edema).
• Common sprain locations include ankles and knees.

Elements of Body Mechanics

• Body alignment (posture)
• Balance (stability)
• Coordinated body movement

Body Alignment

• Body alignment refers to the position of body parts in relation to one another.
• Proper body alignment leads to equilibrium.
• Proper alignment involves the positions of the body parts during sitting, standing, walking, and lying down.
• Correct posture promotes balance, reduces strain and injury to supporting structures, and facilitates respiratory effort, gastrointestinal processes, and promotes confidence and health.
• Body alignment and posture are synonymous terms and relate to the geometric arrangement of body parts.
• Body alignment promotes good balance and maximal body function.

Benefits of Proper Alignment

• Client comfort
• Prevention of contractures
• Promotion of circulation
• Less stress on muscles, tendons, nerves, and joints
• Prevention of foot drop

Body Balance

• Body balance is the capacity to maintain a stable posture with equal weight distribution on each side of the body.
• Balance is optimized when the center of gravity is low over a wide and stable base of support.
• In sitting or lying positions, balance and stability are greater due to a wider base and lower center of gravity compared to standing.

Techniques of Balance

• Widening the base of support by separating the feet comfortably.
• Bringing the center of gravity closer to the base of support to enhance balance.

Coordinated Movement

• Coordinated movement is a result of weight, center of gravity, and balance.
• Weight is the force gravity exerts on a body.
• Friction acts in opposition to movement.
• Body mechanics integrates musculoskeletal and nervous system functions alongside joint mobility.

Principles of Body Mechanics

• Wide base of support provides greater stability (spreading feet).
• Lower center of gravity improves stability.
• Line of gravity passing through the base of support maintains equilibrium.
• Facing the direction of movement prevents abnormal spine twisting.
• Balanced activity division between arms and legs reduces back injuries (during lifting).
• Rolling/turning requires less work than lifting.
• Reduced friction between moving object and surface reduces required force.
• Reduced force work decreases the risk of injury.
• Good body mechanics reduces muscle fatigue; alternating rest and activity periods reduces fatigue.

Regulation of Movement

• The skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems regulate movement.

Proper Standing Body Alignment

• Maintaining a vertical posture with shoulders squared, a straight back, abdominal muscles tucked in, and arms straight at side and feet forward.

• The head is upright, face forward, arms straight by the side, legs straight, and feet aligned forward.

Lifting Objects (Half Squat)

• Stand close to the object, bend the knees, get a good grip.
• Test the weight, holding the object close to the body, use leg muscles, bend at the hips keeping the spine straight, and lift smoothly without jerking.

Carrying Objects

• Avoid twisting and bending the back.
• Change direction by moving feet.
• Keep the load close to the body.
• Maintain clear visibility of the path.

Pushing & Pulling

• Keep the back straight.
• Position feet to avoid slipping.

Reaching

• Clear obstacles.
• Get close to object.
• Face the object.
• Use legs and feet for proper position.
• Determine the best way to hold the object.
• Maintain good posture.
• Avoid bending and twisting simultaneously.

Spinal Cord

• The spine is like a column of bricks.
• Individual bones (vertebrae) are held together by intervertebral discs and strong ligaments.
• Disc material is flexible, enabling movement, and the joints of the spine control movement.

Back Pain

• Damage to disc joints may cause stiffness and back pain.
• Pulled muscles or strained ligaments can also cause back pain.

Prevention

• Practice good body mechanics.
• Maintain general physical fitness.
• When lifting, bend knees and keep head up.
• When carrying, keep the weight close to the body.
• Use well-supporting chairs with appropriate work surface heights and firm mattresses.

Youtube Video Links

• Three links to YouTube videos are presented.

Good Posture

• Includes proper head, neck, shoulder, arm, hand and wrist, foot and leg postures.
• Proper sitting posture is also provided, covering the top of monitor positioning, monitor distance, wrist positioning, elbow positioning, chair support, and feet support.