Body Mechanics PDF

Dr. Manal Mohamed Mostafa Prof. Medical- Surgical Nursing Cairo University At the end of the lecture every student will be able to:  Define body mechanics and body alignment.  Identify the purpose of using body mechanics.  List the Principles of good body mechanics.  Follow the steps f...

Dr. Manal Mohamed Mostafa Prof. Medical- Surgical Nursing Cairo University At the end of the lecture every student will be able to:  Define body mechanics and body alignment.  Identify the purpose of using body mechanics.  List the Principles of good body mechanics.  Follow the steps for how to sit; how to stand; and how to reach an object.  Identify the general tips for performing physical tasks. Definition: Is efficient, coordinated and safe use of body to move the objects. It is the using of all body parts efficiently to safely lift and move. Is the coordinated effort of the musculoskeletal and nervous system to maintain balance, posture and body alignmwnt during lifting, moving, positioning and performing activities of daily living.  Body mechanics are mainly important to prevent and avoid:  Excessive fatigue.  Muscle strains or tears.  Skeletal injuries.  Injury to the patient.  Injury to assisting staff members. Maintain a Stable Center of Gravity. Maintain a Wide Base of Support. Maintain the Line of Gravity. Maintain Proper Body Alignment. Keep the object close to body(before attempting to lift, pull, reach or carry an object) Use the largest & strongest muscles of your arms, legs and trunk. Avoid twisting your body when you lift, push, pull, roll, or slide an object. It is the point at which all the mass is centered. An area located in the pelvis. A- Keep your center of gravity low. B- Keep your back straight. C- Bend at the knees and hips. It is the area located in the base of an object. It provides stability especially when the line of gravity passes through the base of support. A- Keep your feet apart. B- Place one foot slightly ahead of the other. C- Flex your knees.  Is an imaginary vertical line that passes through the center of gravity and base of support of an object.  Back is straight  Head is erect  Arms are sides with elbow slightly flexed  Lowered abdominal area is pulled up and in.  Knees are slightly flexed.  Toes are pointed forward. DO NOT:  Stand in one place too long.  Bent forward at your waist or neck.  Lock your knees into a straight or over-extended position. 1- Sit with back straight against the chair. 2- Support thighs by the chair seat as far as the curve of the knees. 3- Sit with feet flat on the floor. 4- Head and neck are aligned with spine 5- knees are open to 90 degrees  Push whenever possible.  Keep head up, knees bent, and back straight.  Keep the load in front and use both hands.  Remain close to the item being pushed. DO NOT:  Pull when you can push  Twist your body  Lean forward When carrying objects:  Test load first.  Use a cart/transfer device whenever possible  Pivot with your feet - don't twist at waist  Use both hands  Keep objects near your body and directly in front of you  Ask for assistance with heavy items. DO NOT:  Carry with one hand  Twist body  Carry with a bent-over. If items are too heavy, ask for assistance Lifting Pulling pushing  Lifting: Nurses should remember not to lift heavy objects without assistance(Can be done by ASSISSTIVE EQUIPMENT)  Type of Assistive Equipment for lifting:  Partial standing lifts  Permanently mounted ceiling lifts  Horizontal air-transfer mattresses LIFTING Line of gravity falls close to the base for support Base of support -Broader Stand close to the load, flex the back and the knees, lower the body to lift the objects 1- It is easier to pull, push, or roll an object than it is to lift it. 2- Movements should be smooth and coordinated rather than jerky. 3- Use the arm and leg muscles as much as possible, the back muscles as little as possible.  General tips for Performing Physical Tasks cont. 4- Keep the work as close as possible to your body. It puts less of a strain on your back, legs, and arms. 5- Keep the work at a comfortable height to avoid excessive bending at the waist. 6- Keep your body in good physical condition to reduce the chance of injury. 7- When friction is reduced, between the object to be moved and the surface on which it is moved, less force is required to move it. 8- Maintaining good body mechanics reduces fatigue of the muscle groups and the risk of injury.  Joint Range of Motion (ROM)  Is the maximum movement that is possible for the joint without causing pain.  Types of joint motion (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction…) Range of motion exercises are often prescribed to patients to help improve joint function after an injury. The goal of these exercises is to maintain flexibility and gently increase the range of joint and muscle movement while decreasing pain, swelling, and stiffness. FLEXION: Decrease in the angle of the joint EXTENSION: Increase in the angle of join Hyperextension: results when angle is > 180 ̊  Rotation  Common in ball-and-socket joints  Example is when you move atlas around the axis vertebra (shake your head “no”)  Rotation  Common in ball-and-socket joints  Example is when you move atlas around the axis vertebra (shake your head “no”)  Abduction  Movement of a limb away from the midline.  Adduction  Movement of a limb toward the midline  Circumduction  Combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction  Common in ball- and-socket joints  Inversion Turn sole of foot medially  Eversion Turn sole of foot laterally  Dorsiflexion Lifting the foot so that the superior surface approaches the shin  Plantar flexion Depressing the foot  Supination ◦ Forearm rotates laterally so palm faces up (anterior)  Pronation ◦ Forearm rotates medially so palm faces down (posterior)  Opposition ◦ Move thumb to touch the tips of other fingers on the same hand