Good Body Mechanics

No. 4 To maintain good body mechanics and prevent and correct deformity

by: John Alex Melencio

Body mechanics pertains to the position and movement of the body when sitting, standing and going about any activity. It maintains posture, the way an individual lift things and even the way a person sleep. Proper body mechanics can help prevent injury, particularly to the spine, which can bear the burden of unnecessary movements. In the case of transferring a patient from a stretcher to bed or from a wheelchair to bed and vice versa, proper utilization of body mechanics e.g. wide base of support by putting feet apart and flexing the knees, hips and ankles.

Good body mechanics can help preserve the strength and flexibility of the spine. Improper body mechanics can put excessive pressure on the spine and, over time, can result in the degeneration of discs in the spine. Proper body mechanics can help prevent pain, stiffness and more serious spinal problems. So it is utmost to practice the principles of body mechanics in the course of nursing care both by the nurse and the patient to prevent existence of deformity or even to correct such. For an instance, when a patient would lift heavy objects, he should emphasize the legs as opposed to his back avoiding bending at waist level. If the patient would bend by means of his waist then he could be predisposed to spinal problems e.g. slip discs. One of the most common body mechanics mistakes one can make is in how to lift heavy things. Poor body mechanics when lifting can lead to back injury and poor posture. As much as possible, testing a heavy object before lifting it should be observed to see if one can handle it on his own or if one should ask for help. Other tips include bending at the hips and legs, and lifting with the legs as much as possible. One should also try to lift with the object close to him, so he is reaching awkwardly to hold onto and lift something heavy.

As simple as sitting at a desk can present a number of potential body mechanics problems. So to help keep a risk-free posture and a spine in alignment, keep the hips and knees level, while also sitting up tall.  One should not bend forward or keep looking up and down, so one should try to keep his work directly in front as a prevention modality to protect the spine. The feet could be kept on the floor and the lower back support of the chair should be used. Whenever possible, an individual should try to take a strain off his lower back. This can be done with simple steps, such as putting one foot on a stool if one have to stand for a long time in one place, such as at an ironing table. Sleeping at the back with a pillow under the knees will take pressure off the lower back. And when walking, ensure maintaining good posture and not hunching over, as it could lead to a sore and uncomfortable back. These behaviors could promote primary prevention that could sustain a patient’s basic need.

I remembered my student days when I was handling a teenage patient with fracture of the femur in Philippine Orthopedic Center. He was then subjected to a skeletal traction of the cervical spine due to motor accident. He was so naughty wherein he moves his extremities a lot within the confines of his bed. As to prevent further injury, I taught body mechanics principle that he could apply to manage his condition. Specifically, I advised him to change position without disturbing the line of traction e.g. facing the direction of his movement to prevent twisting of the spine and keeping the body close to the objects he used as to prevent unnecessary movements especially of the spine. After such intervention, the patient verbalized that he’s better than before because of the undisturbed skeletal counter traction and as reflected in his X-ray, sufficient union of broken bones was evident. This instance shows the significant contribution of proper body mechanics in the care of a patient, both in primary prevention (thru health education) and secondary prevention (correction of bone deformity)

Many people acknowledges that some of this attention to posture while standing, sitting or walking, or the care a person should take in lifting heavy objects, may be a bit unnatural at first. But if a person keeps up with it, soon these seemingly unnatural positions will feel better and he will have more energy and fewer back complaints than ever before. The benefits of proper body mechanics should be shared to patients especially those with musculoskeletal problems and those at-risk so that they would be motivated to apply the principles at all times to prevent further damages in the structure and functions of the compromised body parts (to those with deformities) and to spare those who are physically fit and without illness state for break in the continuity of bone/s.