Skip to main content

Proper Posture & Body Mechanics

Posture encompasses the position of the head, limbs and trunk and ultimately allows our muscles and organs to function optimally. When discussing posture, it is also important to note the role of one’s Center of Gravity and Base of Support. It is important to keep our COG over our BOS in order to maintain postural control. The body is more stable when we have a larger BOS, or support surface, and therefore can majorly impact the way we move our body in order to reach a fixed and supported position.

Here are 4 reasons why it is so crucial to teach proper posture and body mechanics to an individual, or future client, who has poor posture.

1.) Statistics show that 80% of adults will at some point experience back pain, and 90% of the time the low back pain will return or be recurrent. It is also important to note that the average age of experiencing this pain can begin as early as 30 years old. Many of these statistics could be avoided with the implementation of proper body mechanics while performing daily activities and working.

2.) Having poor posture can lead to very quick or progressive degeneration of our bone, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.

3.) Having poor posture and body mechanics, especially at work, can lead to injury that results in days away from work which can many of times lead to a financial burden and overall stress.

4.) Posture is something we can constantly work on and improve! Many times poor posture is simply a result of habits and poor routines. Simply noticing our own tendencies can lead to less pain, more energy, and increased mobility in order to do our daily tasks!


A few ways I could teach someone proper body mechanics and posture would be to first analyze the tasks they do daily and repetitively. For example, an individual may work a desk job and spend the majority of the day working at the computer. Adaptive equipment such as a raised keyboard or keyboard wrist cushion could be implemented to lessen the strain on the hands and wrists. I could also explain the importance of keeping the eyes facing forward, having 90 degrees of flexion at the hips, knees and ankles, and having the elbows slightly forward of the shoulders with the forearms supported. Another way I could teach an individual proper body mechanics and posture would be to actually show them a picture or video of themselves performing a common task. Many times, our posture is due simply to habit, and once pointed out, could make us aware and educated on how we can change it. Showing them common mistakes such as turning of the body by moving our feet instead of twisting, and changing positions frequently during long periods of sitting or standing, could play a big role in improving ones posture.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Man Down South

After reading the short story, we are encouraged to think of what a life would be like if someone lost one, or multiple, fingers. In the story “Man Down South”, a soldier is willing to bet losing one of his fingers. If this character had lost the bet, he would have an extremely difficult time completing his occupations. For example, activities for a soldier such as holding/grasping a gun or weapon, carrying equipment, exercising, and simply putting on gear might have proven to be extremely taxing, if not impossible, without the use of some adaptive equipment. As for the woman at the end of the story, it is clear that she has lost all but two of her fingers and now has to have her hair washed by someone else, indicating she has lost function of an essential ADL. We can assume she has lost the capability to perform many of her other occupations with ease including being able to drive with both hands, opening certain packaging, writing, and/or fixing her hair. Adaptive equipment such as...
2 comments
Read more

History Gives Power to the Present

History of Occupational Therapy In order to fully understand and connect with an individual, you must first be able to appreciate and understand their past. Having knowledge about the past can help one fully understand the power of the present. On Monday, January 27th, we had Dr. Keisling come to our class and explain the history of individuals with disabilities, as well as the way legislation has, and continues to, shape their lives in the community, education system, and workforce. I was heartbroken as I heard Dr. Keisling explain the 20th century outlook on individuals with disabilities. The labels surrounding this population included terms such as criminals, weak, and insane. The negative outlook on people with disabilities led to involuntary sterilizations and institutional facilities across the Unites States, most of which did not provide safe and appropriate housing, nonetheless adequate healthcare. As the lecture moved along, we began seeing change, specifically with healthc...
1 comment
Read more

Transfers

The term “mobility” is defined as having controlled instability. The order in which we are able to restore confidence in mobility based on increasing activity demands is as follows: Bed mobility, mat transfers, wheelchair transfers, bed transfers, functional ambulation for ADL’s, toilet and tub transfers, car transfer, functional ambulation, and community mobility and driving. I do believe this is a logical order once you begin to examine what an individual must do, and is able to do, in order to perform certain tasks. For example, we wouldn’t want to begin working with a patient getting out of their car when they cannot even get out of their bed safely. I do believe I have seen this approach used in much of my job shadowing experience, specifically when the therapist is working on getting the client out of the bed and then safely to the bathroom. Many times, the therapist would work consistently on getting the patient out of bed safely, and if they were able to do so, move on to the...
Post a Comment
Read more