Standing (maintain good posture in
standing position)
 keep the feet parallel
 Distribute weight equally on both
feet
 Bend the knees slightly
 Maintain the hips at an even level
 Pull in the buttocks and hold the
abdomen up
 Hold the chest up and slightly
forward
 Keep the shoulders even and
centered above the hips
 Hold the head erect with the face
forward
Sitting
 The buttocks an upper thighs
become the base of support
 Both feet rest on the floor
Lying Down
 looks the same as in a standing
position except the person is
horizontal
Using Good body Mechanics
(nursing guidelines)
 Use the longest and strongest
muscles of arms and legs.
 When lifting a heavy load, center it
over the feet.
 Hold objects close to the body.
 Bend knees.
 Contract the abdominal muscles
and make a long midriff
 Push, pull, or roll objects whenever
possible rather than lifting them.
 Use body weight as a lever to assist
with pushing or pulling an object
 Keep feet apart for a broad base of
support
 Bend the knees and keep the back
straight when lifting an object,
rather than bending over from the
waist with straight knees.
 Avoid twisting and stretching
muscles during work.
 Rest between periods of exertion.
PRINCIPLES OF GOOD BODY
MECHANICS
Maintain a Stable Center of Gravity.
 Keep your center of gravity low.
 Keep your back straight.
 Bend at the knees and hips.
Rationale: To prevent
fractures and injuries
Maintain a Wide Base of Support.
This will provide you with maximum
stability while lifting.
 Keep your feet apart.
 Place one foot slightly ahead of
the other.
 Flex your knees to absorb jolts.
 Turn with your feet.
Rationale: This will serve as
support when we are lifting
objects to avoid damages.
MAINTAIN THE LINE OF
GRAVITY.
 The line should pass vertically
through the base of support.
 Keep your back straight.
 Keep the object being lifted close
to your body.
Rationale: To Refrain from bone
fractures
MAINTAIN PROPER BODY
ALIGNMENT.
 Tuck in your buttocks.
 Pull your abdomen in and up.
 Keep your back flat.
 Keep your head up.
 Keep your chin in.
 Keep your weight forward and
supported on the outside of your
feet.
Rationale: To maintain good body
posture and alignment.
TECHNIQUES OF BODY
MECHANICS
LIFTING
 Use the stronger leg muscles for
lifting.
 Bend at the knees and hips; keep
your back straight.
 Lift straight upward, in one smooth
motion.
REACHING
 Stand directly in front of and close
to the object.
 Avoid twisting or stretching.
 Use a stool or ladder for high
objects.
 Maintain a good balance and a firm
base of support.
 Before moving the object, be sure
that it is not too large or too heavy
PIVOTING
 Place one foot slightly ahead of the
other.
 Turn both feet at the same time,
pivoting on the heel of one foot and
the toe of the other.
 Maintain a good center of gravity
while holding or carrying the
object.
AVOID STOOPING
 Squat (bending at the hips and
knees).
 Avoid stooping (bending at the
waist).
 Use your leg muscles to return to
an upright position
STEPS INVOLVED IN PROPERLY
MOVING AN OBJECT TO A NEW
LOCATION
Identify the object to be moved
 Adopt a stable base of support.
 Your feet are separated.
 One foot is behind the other.
 Your back is straight.
 Grasp the object at its approximate
center of gravity.
 Pull the object toward your body’s
center of gravity using your arm
and leg muscles.
RE-ESTABLISH YOUR BASE OF
SUPPORT AND APPROPRIATE BODY
ALIGNMENT.
 Your back is straight.
 You have a stable base of support.
 You are holding the object
approximately at waist height and
close to your body.
 Pivot toward the desired direction
of travel.
 Turn on both feet at the same time.
 Maintain a stable balance.
RE-ESTABLISH A STABLE BASE OF
SUPPORT AND APPROPRIATE BODY
ALIGNMENT.
 Your back is straight.
 Your feet are apart, one slightly
behind the other.
 The object is at hip level, close to
your body.
 Squat and place the object onto the
lower area.
 Bend at the knees and hips.
 Maintain a straight back.
 Maintain a stable base of support.
 Use your arm and leg muscles (as
needed) for guidance.
 Use your leg muscles to resume an
upright position
How do I practice proper body
mechanics?
 When you stand:
o Keep your feet flat on the
floor about 12 inches (30 cm)
apart.
o Do not lock your knees.
o Keep your shoulders down,
chest out, and back straight.
 When you lift an object:
o Your feet should be apart,
with one foot slightly in front
of the other.
o Keep your back straight.
o Bend from your hips and
knees.
o Do not bend at your waist.
o Lift the object using your arm
and leg muscles.
o Hold the object close to your
body at your waist level.
o Use the same process if you
need to push or pull
something heavy.
 When you sit:
o Sit with your back straight and
place extra support behind
your lower back.
o Get up and change positions
often if you sit for long
periods of time.
o Ask about exercises to stretch
your neck and shoulders.
o Adjust your computer so the
top of the monitor is at the
same level as your eyes.
o Use a paper holder so that the
document is at the same level
as the computer screen.
o Use a headset if you use the
telephone often.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR
PERFORMING PHYSICAL TASKS
 It is easier to pull, push, or roll an
object than it is to lift it.
 Movements should be smooth and
coordinated rather than jerky.
 Less energy or force is required to
keep an object moving than it is to
start and stop it.
 Use the arm and leg muscles as
much as possible, the back muscles
as little as possible.
 Keep the work as close as possible
to your body. It puts less of a strain
on your back, legs, and arms.
 Rock backward or forward on your
feet to use your body weight as a
pushing or pulling force.
 Keep the work at a comfortable
height to avoid excessive bending
at the waist.
 Keep your body in good physical
condition to reduce the chance of
injury.
WHAT IS BODY MECHANICS?
IT IS A THE WAY YOU HOLD BODY
WHEN WE ARE MOVING AROUND
INCLUDING THE
STANDING,SITTING,BALANCING AND
MOVING THE PATIENT.
IMPORTANCE OF BODY MECHANICS

TO PREVENT FROM THE ACUTE OR

CHRONIC MUSCUSKELETAL STRAIN TO
THE BACK AND OTHER BODY
STRUCTURES.

WHERE IS THE CENTER OF THE

GRAVITY?
IT IS IN THE LOWER OF THE WAISTLINE
HOW DO YOU PROVIDE STABILITY?
WIDEN THE SPACES BY SPREADING
THE LEGS APART
WHAT IS BODY MECHANICS, GIVE
TWO POINTS

Utilization of correct muscles to

complete a task safely and efficiently
without undue strain on any muscle
or joint
- WHAT IS THE 3 ELEMENTS OF BODY
MECHANICS
Body posture
Balance
Coordinated movement