BODY MECHANICS

- It is a term used to describe the efficient,

coordinated, and safe use of the body to
move objects and carry out the activities of
daily living.

REVIEW OF ANATOMY

SKELETAL SYSTEM TERMINOLOGIES:

- provides attachments for muscles and
ligaments and the leverage necessary for
mobility.
- Supporting framework of the body.
TYPES:
 Posture
- refers to the positioning of the joints,
tendons, ligaments and muscles while
standing, sitting, and lying.

 Long
 Short
 Flat
 Irregular

 Joints- the connections between bones.  Body Alignment

Classification: Cartilaginous, Fibrous, Synovial - refers to how the head, shoulders, spine, hips,
 Ligaments-arc white, shiny, flexible bands of knees and ankles relate and line up with each
fibrous tissue that bind joints together, other.
connect bones and cartilages, and aid joint - Correct body alignment reduces strain on
flexibility and support. musculoskeletal structures.
 Tendons - are white, glistening, fibrous bands
of tissue that connect muscle to bone and are
strong, flexible, and inelastic.
 Cartilage - is nonvascular (without blood
vessels) supporting connective tissue located
chiefly in the joints and thorax, trachea,
larynx, nose and ear.

 Friction
MUSCULOSKELETAL AND NERVOUS SYSTEM - It is a force that occurs in a direction to
oppose movement.
Skeletal Muscles:
 Shear
 Are the working elements of movement - It is the force exerted against the skin while
because of their ability to contract and relax. the skin remains stationary and the bony
structures move.
NERVOUS SYSTEM

 Regulates movement and posture.

 The "precentral gyrus" or "motor strip" is the
major voluntary motor area and is in the
cerebral cortex.
THE VALUE OF PROPER BODY MECHANICS:
1. conserves energy
2. reduce stress and strain to muscles, joints,
ligaments, and soft tissue
 3. promote effective, efficient and safe
environments
4. promote and maintain proper body control
and balance
5. promote effective, efficient respiratory and
cardiopulmonary function
GENERAL RULES:
- Never lift more than you can comfortably
handle
- Create a base of support by standing with
your feet 8-12" (shoulder width) apart with
one foot a half-step ahead of the other
- Do not let your back do the heavy work - USE
YOUR LEGS
- If the bed is low, put one foot on a footstool
(this relieves pressure on your lower back)
COMMON CAUSES OF BACK PROBLEMS
DISCOMFORT:
 faulty posture
 stressful living (inability to relax)
 faulty, improper use of body mechanics, poor
flexibility or muscles and ligaments of the
back and trunk
 decline in general physical fitness
 improper lift, push, pull, reach, or carry
 episodes of trauma that culminate in one
specific or final event
GUIDELINES FOR LIFTING
Be kind to your back
 mentally and physically plan the activity
before attempting it
 before lifting a person or moving anything,
make sure you can lift or move it safely (do
not lift a person or a load alone if it seems too
heavy)
 spread your feet shoulder width apart with
one foot slightly in front of the other to
provide a good base of support
 bend at your knees (not at your waist)
 keep your back as straight as possible
 bring the person/load as close to your body as
you can
 lift with your legs (using your stronger leg and
trunk muscles)
 do not twist at the waist - If you need to
change direction, do so when upright and shift
your feet making small steps. (Keep your back
and neck in a straight line)
 when possible, pull, push, or slide Instead of
lifting them.
GUIDELINES FOR CARRYING
 carry all objects holding them close to your
body; the best position is in front of your body
at the level of your waist or mid-chest.
 if you carry an object in one hand (suitcase),
alternate carrying it in one hand and then in
the other; do not twist your back when
moving the object from one hand to the
other; stop to lift it from the floor
 balance the load whenever possible
 some bulky or heavy objects can be carried on
your shoulders, especially if it must be carried
for long distances
OR
PULLING AND PUSHING
Pushing an object:
 Create a good base of support
 Moving the front foot forward
Pulling an object:
 Create a good base of support
 Moving the rear leg back if the person is
facing the object
 Moving the front foot forward if the person if
facing away from the object.
PIVOTING
- It is a technique in which the body is turned in
a way that avoids twisting of the spine.
To Pivot:
1. Place one foot ahead of the other
2. Raise the heels very slightly
3. Put the body weight on the balls of the feel.
4. When the body weight is of the heels, the
frictional surface is decreased and the knees
are not twisted when turning.
5. Keeping the body aligned, turn (pivot)
TRANSFER ACTIVITIES
Principles
 present all instruction slowly and allow time DEFINITION
for the patient to process and apply them
 once the transfer has begun, remain close to
the client
 use gait belt for stabilization
 do not use patient’s extremities or clothing
for guidance
 use proper body mechanics to reduce the
possibility of injury
TRANSFER ACTIVITIES
Precautions TYPES OF JOINT MOVEMENTS
 do not let the person put their arms around
your neck - they could pull you forward and
make you lose your balance.
 you should anticipate and be alert for unusual
patient actions or equipment that may create
unexpected risks the environment should be
free of unneeded equipment such as bedside
trays, telephones, IV poles, and other hazards.
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not
enough; we must do."
- Goethe
PROCEDURES:
Safe Patient Handling, Transfer, and Positioning
 Using Safe and Effective Transfer Techniques
(page87)
 Wheelchair Transfer Techniques (page92)
 Moving and Positioning Patients in Bed
(page94
RANGE OF MOTION (ROM)
 The RANGE OF MOTION (ROM) of a joint is
the maximum movement that is possible for
that joint.
 Joint range of motion varies from individual to
individual and is determined by genetic
makeup, developmental patterns, the
presence or absence of disease, and the
amount of physical activity in which the
person normally engages.
1. Flexion
- Decreasing the angle of the joint (e.g. bending
the elbow)
2. Extension
- Increasing the angle of the joint (e.g.
straightening the arm at the elbow)
3. Hyperextension
- Further extension or straightening of a joint
( e.g. bending the head backward)
4. Abduction
- Movement of the bone away from the midline
of the body
5. Adduction
- Movement of the bone toward the midline of
the body
6. Rotation
- Movement of the bone around its central axis
7. Circumduction
- Movement of the distal part of the bone in
circle while the proximal end remains fixed
reduction of display.
8. Eversion
- Turning the sole of the foot outward by
moving the ankle joint.
9. Inversion
- Turning the sole of the foot inward by moving
the ankle joint.
10. Pronation
- Moving the joints of the forearm so that the
palm of the hand faces downward when held
in front of the body
11. Supination
- Moving the bones of the forearm so that the
palm of the hand faces upward when held in
front of the body.
  Should be accomplished for each movement
of the arms, legs, and neck that the client is
ROM Exercises
unable to achieve actively (in supine position)
 Exercises that help to maintain a client’s
ACTIVE - ASSISTIVE ROM EXERCISES
muscle tone and joint mobility.
 Helps prevent contracture (the muscle  The client uses a stronger arm or leg to move
permanently shortens, and the joints each of the joints of a limb incapable of active
becomes fixed in a flexed position). motion
 The client learns to support and move the
Types of ROM Exercises:
weak arm or leg with the strong arm or leg as
1. Active ROM Exercises possible. Then the nurse continues the
2. Passive ROM Exercises movement passively to its maximal degree.
3. Active – Assistive ROM Exercises  This activity increases active movement on
the strong side of the client's body and
maintains joint flexibility on the weak side
Active ROM Exercises
(e.g., Hemiplegic patient)
 Isotonic exercises in which the client moves
each joint in the body through its complete
range of movement, maximally stretching all
muscle groups within each plane over the
joint.
 Maintain or increase muscle strength and
endurance and help to maintain
cardiorespiratory function in an immobilized
client.

CLIENT TEACHING

ACTIVE ROM EXERCISES

 Perform each ROM exercises as taught to the

point of slight resistance, but not beyond, and
never to the point of discomfort
 Perform the movements systematically, using
the same sequence during each session
 Perform each exercise three times
 Perform each series of exercises twice daily

Older Adults:

 For older adults, it is not essential to achieve

full range of motion in all joints. Instead,
emphasize achieving sufficient range of
motion to carry out ADLs, such as walking,
dressing, combing hair and preparing a meal

Passive ROM Exercises

 Another person moves each of the client's

joints through its complete range of
movement, maximally stretching all muscle
groups within each plane over each joint
 Are of no value in maintaining muscle
strength but are useful in maintaining joint
flexibility