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    Proper Body Mechanics

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    Abriann Vince Impenio
    Proper body mechanics is important for nurses to avoid injury and fatigue. It involves maintaining a stable center of gravity with a low and wide base of support. The back should be kept upright with knees bent rather than twisting or overextending. Techniques like pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying patients should engage the legs and keep the back straight. Following proper body mechanics protects both the nurse and patient from strain or injury.

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    Proper Body Mechanics

    Uploaded by

    Abriann Vince Impenio
    134 views3 pages
    Proper body mechanics is important for nurses to avoid injury and fatigue. It involves maintaining a stable center of gravity with a low and wide base of support. The back should be kept upright with knees bent rather than twisting or overextending. Techniques like pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying patients should engage the legs and keep the back straight. Following proper body mechanics protects both the nurse and patient from strain or injury.

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    Proper Body Mechanics

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    Proper body mechanics is important for nurses to avoid injury and fatigue. It involves maintaining a stable center of gravity with a low and wide base of support. The back should be kept upright with knees bent rather than twisting or overextending. Techniques like pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying patients should engage the legs and keep the back straight. Following proper body mechanics protects both the nurse and patient from strain or injury.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    134 views3 pages

    Proper Body Mechanics

    Uploaded by

    Abriann Vince Impenio
    Proper body mechanics is important for nurses to avoid injury and fatigue. It involves maintaining a stable center of gravity with a low and wide base of support. The back should be kept upright with knees bent rather than twisting or overextending. Techniques like pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying patients should engage the legs and keep the back straight. Following proper body mechanics protects both the nurse and patient from strain or injury.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 3

    Proper Body Mechanics

    Definition

    Body mechanics is a broad term used to denote an effort coordinated by the


    muscles, bones and nervous system. It can either be good or bad and can be directly related
    to the occurrence of back pains.

    Rules

    These are different rules that apply when you transfer or move your patients to protect your
    back:

     Keep the lower portion of your back in its normal position at all times.
     Move as close to the patient’s bed as you can.
     Don’t twist your body. Always do a side step or a pivot.
     Set your feet into a comfortable and solid wide base of support when lifting.
     Keep your abdominal muscles contracted, bow slightly using the hips and squat.
     Keep the head upright and hold your shoulders up.
     Pushing up from the knees and using your own momentum would help you lift the
    patient.

    Importance

    What exactly are body mechanics and why are they important? The reason for using proper
    body mechanics is mainly to avoid:

     Musculoskeletal strain
     Injuries to members of the staff
     Injury to the client
     Fatigue

    Techniques

    Here are the different principles to be a nurse with proper body mechanics:

    Stable Center of Gravity


    Maintain a stable center of gravity to evenly distribute your body weight

    1. Keep your center of gravity low.


    2. Greater balance is met with a low center of gravity.
    3. Flex your knees and keep your body straight rather than bending.

    Wide Base of Support

    Maintain a wide base of support

    1. Having a wide base of support gives your body more stability.


    2. Spread your feet apart to a reasonable distance.
    3. Flex your knees to move the center of gravity closer to the base of support.

    Proper Body Alignment

    Maintain Proper body alignment

    1. Body alignment refers to the way the joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles are
    arranged when initiating a position.
    2. A line of gravity passing through your base of support maintains your balance.
    3. Equal activity balance in upper and lower parts of the body would reduce your risks
    of having back injury.
    4. When you’re stronger muscle group are involved, greater amount of work can be
    safely done.
    5. Keep the back upright when performing interventions.

    Moving Clients

    Here are some guidelines into how to properly move clients and other objects on the work
    area using proper body mechanics:

    Pushing

    1. Stay close to the subject being pushed.


    2. Place one foot in front of the other
    3. Place the hands on the subject, flex your elbows and lean to the subject.
    4. Place the weight from your flexor to the extensor portions of your leg.
    5. Apply pressure with the use of your leg muscles.
    6. To prevent fatigue, provide alternate rest periods.

    Pulling

    1. Stay close to the subject being pulled.


    2. Place one foot in front of the other
    3. Hold the subject, flex your elbows and lean your body away from the subject.
    4. Shift your weight away from the subject.
    5. Avoid any unnecessary movements.
    6. To prevent fatigue, provide alternate rest periods.

    Lifting and Carrying

    1. Be on a squat position facing the subject.


    2. Hold the subject and tighten your center of gravity.
    3. Use your dominant leg muscles when lifting.
    4. Hold the subject at waist height and close to the center of gravity.
    5. Keep your back erect.

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