Body Mechanics Flashcards
Core of the Body
Involves the lumbar–pelvic–hip complex
Reliant on muscular endurance and
neuromuscular control
Provides support to the spine and pelvis during
movement and maintains neutral pelvic
Involves muscles of abdomen, torso, back, and
pelvic floor
Body Mechanics
Using one’s body to produce movement
That is safe and energy conserving
That is anatomically and physiologically efficient
That maintains body balance and control
Events of the Valsalva
Phenomenon
Air trapping in thorax, which increases intrathoracic
pressure
Decrease in the Venous blood flow into the right side
of the heart
Cardiac output decrease and peripheral blood
pressure increase
Potential cerebral vessel rupture
Principles of Proper Body
Mechanics
Assess load
Mentally and physically prepare for lift.
Increase your base of support (BOS).
Maintain vertical gravity line within BOS to maintain stability and balance.
Position yourself close to object to be moved
cont
Position your center of gravity (COG) close to
object’s COG.
Tighten your core muscles prior to lifting.
Roll, push, pull, or slide the object to be moved.
Avoid simultaneous trunk flexion and rotation.
Look straight ahead.
Take your time, moving smoothly.
cont
Perform activities within your physical capability.
Avoid lifting immediately after a prolonged period
of inactivity.
Gently stretch back and lower extremities prior
to lifting
Center of Gravity Object’s COG
Point at which the object is heaviest to move or
most difficult to adjust to a new position
Person’s COG in standing
Approximately at the second sacral segment in the
center of the pelvis
Positioning person’s COG close to object’s
COG reduces torque required to move or
carry the object
Often easier to adjust COG of object to be moved
rather than your own
Vertical Line of Gravity (VLG)
Imaginary line that bisects the body in the sagittal plane beginning at the head and
continuing through the COG
Must fall between feet for balance and stability
Events that Change a
Person’s COG
Adding ambulation aids
Standing on one foot
Reaching for an object
Adjusting BOS
Causes of Potential Injuries
Lumbar spine most vulnerable
Pain-sensitive structures
Single act of lifting a heavy object
Lifting improperly
Repetitive lifting
Cumulative episodes of microtrauma
Injury Avoidance
Maintenance of general body strength and
flexibility
Proper nutrition
Appropriate rest and sleeping habits
Good posture
Use of proper body mechanics
Position for Lifting
Neutral position of lordosis of the lumbar spine
Partial to full flexion of hips and knees
Contraction of core stabilizing muscles, avoiding
the Valsalva maneuver
Lift Techniques: Guidelines
Visualize activity before performing it.
Estimate approximate weight of object to be lifted.
Consider size, configuration, shape, and position of object.
Ask for assistance if the object does not easily move.
Determine best lift method to use
Precautions
Avoid simultaneous trunk flexion (bending) and
rotation (twisting).
Use footstool or ladder to reach for objects
above your head.
Be aware of personal abilities and limits.
Obtain human or mechanical assistance to lift or
move a large, bulky, or heavy object.
Deep Squat Lift
Hips below the level of the knees
Feet straddling the object
Arms parallel to each other
Grasp opposite sides, handles, or under bottom.
Maintain vertical trunk and lumbar spine in
lordosis with anterior pelvic tilt.
Power Lift
Half squat so hips above knees
Feet parallel to each other and behind the object
Arms parallel to each other
Grasp opposite sides, handles, or bottom surface.
Maintain a more vertical trunk and lumbar spine in lordosis with anterior pelvic tilt
Straight Leg Lift
Knees slightly bent or straight
Lower extremities either parallel to each other or
straddling the object.
Arms parallel to each other
Grasp opposite sides of object.
Trunk vertical or horizontal
Lumbar spine remains in lordosis
One-Leg Stance Lift (“Golfer’s Lift”)
Used to lift light objects
Face object
Weight shifted to forward leg
Partially flex hip and knee on weight-bearing leg.
Extend non-weight-bearing leg.
Lift object as if removing a golf ball from the cup.
Half-Kneeling Lift
Kneel on one knee, positioned behind and on one side of the object.
Position the other leg with foot flat and hip and knee
flexed to 90 degrees.
Grasp and lift object with arms.
Place object on thigh of flexed leg.
Move object close to body.
Begin rising to standing position
Traditional Lift
Face object with feet anteroposterior on each side of
the object and legs in deep squat.
Grasp object underneath with arms parallel or anteroposterior to one another.
Contract flexors of the elbows and shoulders.
Contract extensors of the legs to further raise the object.
Hold object close to the body
Stoop Lift
Partially flex hips and knees.
Maintain normal lordosis of the lumbar spine.
Grasp object with hands.
Use legs to raise body and object, keeping
object close to the body.
Feet positioned shoulder width and slightly
anteroposterior to each other
Pushing, Pulling, Reaching, and
Carrying
Use crouched or semi-squat position to push/pull.
Apply force parallel to supporting surface.
Exert more force at the beginning of the
push/pull
Testing Posture
Patient stands next to plumb line with front of lateral malleolus in line with plumb line.
Ideal alignment
Slightly anterior to lateral malleolus
Slightly anterior to midline through the knee
Through the greater trochanter
Midway through the trunk
Through the shoulder joint
Through the bodies of the cervical vertebrae
Through the lobe of the ear
