Body Mechanics



Body Mechanics



Key Abbreviations


MSD Musculo-skeletal disorder


OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration



Objectives



• Define the key terms and key abbreviations listed in this chapter.


• Explain the purpose and rules of body mechanics.


• Explain how ergonomics can prevent work-related injuries.


• Identify the causes, signs, and symptoms of back injuries.


• Position persons in the basic bed positions and in a chair.


• Explain how to promote PRIDE in the person, the family, and yourself.



Key Terms















Body mechanics means using the body in an efficient and careful way. It involves good posture, balance, and using your strongest and largest muscles for work. Fatigue, muscle strain, and injury can result from the improper use and positioning of the body during activity or rest.



Principles of Body Mechanics


Body alignment (posture) is the way the head, trunk, arms, and legs are aligned with one another. Good alignment lets the body move and function with strength and efficiency. Standing, sitting, and lying down require good alignment.


Base of support is the area on which an object rests. A good base of support is needed for balance (Fig. 13-1, p. 162). When standing, your feet are your base of support. Stand with your feet apart for a wider base of support and more balance.


image
FIGURE 13-1 A, Anterior (front) view of an adult in good body alignment. The feet are apart for a wide base of support. B, Lateral (side) view of an adult with good posture and alignment.

Your strongest and largest muscles are in the shoulders, upper arms, hips, and thighs. Use these muscles to handle and move persons and heavy objects. Otherwise, you place strain and exertion on the smaller and weaker muscles. This causes fatigue and injury. Back injuries are a major risk. For good body mechanics:



• Bend your knees and squat to lift a heavy object (Fig. 13-2, p. 162). Do not bend from your waist. Bending from your waist places strain on small back muscles.


image
FIGURE 13-2 Picking up a box using good body mechanics.

• Hold items close to your body and base of support (see Fig. 13-2). This involves upper arm and shoulder muscles. Holding objects away from your body places strain on small muscles in your lower arms.


All activities require good body mechanics. Follow the rules in Box 13-1, p. 162.



Box 13-1   Body Mechanics




• Keep your body in good alignment with a wide base of support.


• Use an upright posture. Bend your legs. Do not bend your back.


• Use the stronger and larger muscles in your shoulders, upper arms, thighs, and hips.


• Keep objects close to your body to lift, move, or carry them (see Fig. 13-2).


• Avoid unnecessary bending and reaching. Raise the bed and over-bed table to waist level.


• Face your work area. This prevents unnecessary twisting.


• Push, slide, or pull heavy objects when you can rather than lifting them. Pushing is easier than pulling.


• Widen your base of support to push or pull. Move your front leg forward when pushing. Move your rear leg back when pulling (Fig. 13-3).


• Use both hands and arms to lift, move, or carry objects.


• Turn your whole body to change direction instead of twisting your body.


• Work with smooth, even movements. Avoid sudden or jerky motions.


• Do not lean over a person to give care.


• Get help from a co-worker to move heavy objects. Do not lift or move them by yourself.


• Bend your hips and knees to lift heavy objects from the floor (see Fig. 13-2). Straighten your back as the object reaches thigh level. Your leg and thigh muscles work to raise the item off the floor and to waist level.


• Do not lift objects higher than chest level. Do not lift above your shoulders. Use a step stool or ladder to reach an object higher than chest level.


image
FIGURE 13-3 Move your rear leg back when pulling an item.


Ergonomics


Ergonomics is the science of designing a job to fit the worker. (Ergo means work. Nomos means law.) It involves changing the task, work station, equipment, and tools to help reduce stress on the worker’s body. The goal is to prevent a serious, painful, and disabling work-related musculo-skeletal disorder (MSD).



Work-Related MSDs


MSDs are injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage. They can involve the nervous system. The arms and back are often affected. So are the hands, fingers, neck, wrists, legs, and shoulders. MSDs can develop slowly over weeks, months, and years. Or they can occur from 1 event. Pain, numbness, tingling, stiff joints, difficulty moving, and muscle loss can occur. So can paralysis.


Early signs and symptoms include pain, limited joint movement, or soft tissue swelling. Always report a work-related injury as soon as possible. Early attention can help prevent the problem from becoming worse. In later stages, the problem can become more serious and harder and more costly to treat.


The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified risk factors for MSDs. An MSD is more likely if risk factors are combined. For example, a task involves both force and repeating actions.



See Promoting Safety and Comfort: Ergonomics.



Promoting Safety and Comfort


Ergonomics




Positioning the Person


The person must always be properly positioned. Regular position changes and good alignment promote comfort and well-being. Breathing is easier. Circulation is promoted. Pressure ulcers (Chapter 25) and contractures (Chapter 23) are prevented. A contracture is the lack of joint mobility caused by abnormal shortening of a muscle.


Whether in bed or chair, the person is re-positioned at least every 2 hours. Some people are re-positioned more often. Follow the nurse’s instructions and the care plan. To safely position a person:


Related posts:

  1. Communicating With the Health Team
  2. Assisting With Fall Prevention
  3. Assisting With Safety
  4. Assisting With Exercise and Activity

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Nov 5, 2016 | Posted by in MEDICAL ASSISSTANT | Comments Off on Body Mechanics

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