Understanding Body and Mechanice

                                    



Understanding Body and Mechanice-

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. ... You will be glad you learned them as they can save you from back pain and discomfort.

3.2 Body Mechanics
Body mechanics involves the coordinated effort of muscles, bones, and the nervous system to maintain balance, posture, and alignment during moving, transferring, and positioning patients. Proper body mechanics allows individuals to carry out activities without excessive use of energy, and helps prevent injuries for patients and health care providers (Perry, Potter, & Ostendorf, 2014).

Musculoskeletal Injuries

A musculoskeletal injury (MSI) is an injury or disorder of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints or nerves, blood vessels, or related soft tissue including a sprain, strain, or inflammation related to a work injury. MSIs are the most common health hazard for health care providers (WorkSafeBC, 2013). Table 3.1 lists risk factors that contribute to an MSI.

When health care providers are exposed to ergonomic risk factors, they become fatigued and risk musculoskeletal imbalance. Additional exposure related to individual risk factors puts health care providers at increased risk for an MSI (WorkSafeBC, 2013). Preventing an MSI is achieved by understanding the elements of body mechanics, applying the principles of body mechanics to all work-related activities, understanding how to assess a patient’s ability to position or transfer, and learning safe handling transfers and positioning techniques.

Elements of Body Mechanics
Body movement requires coordinated muscle activity and neurological integration. It involves the basic elements of body alignment (posture), balance, and coordinated movement. Body alignment and posture bring body parts into position to promote optimal balance and body function. When the body is well aligned, whether standing, sitting, or lying, the strain on the joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments is minimized (WorkSafeBC, 2013).

                                    

Assistive Devices

An assistive device is an object or piece of equipment designed to help a patient with activities of daily living, such as a walker, cane, gait belt, or mechanical lift (WorkSafeBC, 2006). Table 3.3 lists some assistive devices found in the hospital and community setting.

What are Body Mechanics?

For a healthcare professional, a firm and practical understanding of body mechanics can save a lot of unnecessary pain and injury throughout their career. This term describes the natural posture and motion of the human body, particularly as it relates to lifting, repositioning, and movement. Employees of a clinic or hospital need to know how to use their bodies to get the most leverage without risking injury. They also need to know how to position the patient to keep them comfortable and safe while they are being moved.

Significance in Healthcare Settings
Anyone in any type of occupation or industry can benefit from an understanding of the mechanics of the human body. Good posture and lifting habits greatly reduce the risk of strains, sprains and back injuries. Nurses and many other healthcare professionals routinely help patients through a range of different motions that can exert either party if executed improperly. Musculoskeletal injuries are an occupational hazard in many healthcare settings, so employees should be trained on how to use the principles of body mechanics to ensure personal safety.

What are proper body mechanics?

It is easy to practice good body mechanics when you follow three simple guidelines: Stand with your feet apart to create a sturdy foundation. Bend at your knees instead of your waist. Keep your neck, back, hips, and feet aligned when you move; avoid twisting and bending at the waist.

                                 

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