It is important for someone to be aware of the way their body, arms, legs, trunk move during the day. It is vital to have good body mechanics and postural alignment to decrease the risk of pain and injury. A lot of the population has back pain at some point, and poor posture is the most common cause of back pain. Teaching a client good posture, can help them reduce the chance of having pain and also allows the organs to function in the best way possible. Good posture also helps the body use less energy. Teaching good posture can also help prevent future deformities such as excessive lumbar lordosis, having a flatback or swayback, or scoliosis. Having poor posture could also lead to nerve compression in the spine. It is important to teach proper head posture as well, so the client does not have a protracted head, which puts stress of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine and stresses the joint capsule of the cervical vertebrea. Poor posture could also lead to problems with expanding the chest and breathing.
If a client had poor posture and body mechanics, I would explain the correct way to lift. It is important when lifting to make sure the lifter is capable of handling the weight and test their ability to lift the object before fully committing. It is important to get very close to the object and face the object before lifting. It is important to plan the route and watch out for hazards. Get a solid grip before lifting. When lifting objects, keep the core firm and widen the feet for a good base of support, about a shoulder-width apart. A key to having good body mechanics is to bend at hips and knees when lifting, and not at the back. When moving a load, don’t twist but move the feet. A client could perform these steps in a session to help ensure their understanding of the proper way to lift. This is so important because if a person is carrying an object away from their body it adds 10x more weight on their back.
When needing to move a load, it is always better to push than to pull. Pushing an object puts less strain on the back. This is important to decrease pain and increase efficiency.
When doing repetitive motions, it is important to turn at the feet, and not to rotate the trunk. It is also important for the client to change their posture frequently. Movements that are done in an arc require less force than linear movements. To relieve pressure on the back when standing, a client could put one foot on a minor raise.
Getting exercise, resting, managing stress, and stretching are all ways to help prevent back pain, as well.
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