Body Mechanics

1. Body Mechanics The back you save can be your own

2. Posture Counts! • Head up • Shoulders back • Chest out • Stomach and buttocks tucked in • Back straight

3. The Balanced Spine

4. Where is our strength • Legs are stronger than our backs • Widen foot stance • Squat from hips • Tighten your stomach abs • The abs attach to spine • Approach as being punched • Tighten the abs – hold your breathe and you protect your back

5. See the difference?

6. Ask for help with heavy objects Stand close to the load Assume a wide stance with firm footing. Position yourself in front of the load. Bend the knees and hips while maintaining the normal sway in the low back- a neutral spine. Use a cart for heavy items when appropriate Lifting Techniques

7. Hold the object close to your body and lift with the load while maintaining the sway in the low back; use your legs! Lift steadily, do not jerk. Never bend and twist when lifting. This puts extreme pressure on the discs in the back. Lifting Techniques

8. Look carefully • Feet apart • Back straight • Arms close to body • Squat from hips • The legs will lift

9. Use equipment to lift

10. Office Ergonomics • Adjust your chair so your feet are flat on the floor or on a footrest • Adjust keyboard height so your forearms are parallel with the floor • Your chair should provide firm lower back support; your thighs should be parallel to the floor • Your monitor should be 18 to 20 inches from your eyes

11. Ergonomics • Align your chair, keyboard and monitor so you are sitting and looking straight ahead while you work • Place your keyboard at or near elbow level • Practice good posture at your workstation • Take occasional mini breaks and stretch during the day • Keep your phone within easy reach

12. Raise the Bed – Use equipment • Hoyer Lift

13. Maintenance Arm rests Leg rests Brakes Folding Wheelchair Safety

14. Moving Patient Issues • Lying to sitting position • Bed to chair • Chair to car

15. Setting the Stage The most important part of the procedure Team Work The client and all helpers What does it mean to count to three? Using a Gait/Transfer Belt General Transfers

16. Enlist the help of Patient • Explain what will happen • Demonstrate what you want them to do (pivot) • Go slow enough that they do not get dizzy – allow to sit on side of bed

17. Stand-Pivot Transfer General Transfers • Position chair next to the bed at a slight angle as demonstrated. • Remove any obstacles. • Help patient to the edge of the bed moving toward uninvolved side. • Place transfer belt around patient snugly (if available).

18. Stand-Pivot Transfer General Transfers • Stay close to patient. • Have patient move toward edge of bed/chair as independently as possible. • If help is needed for above, assistant should maintain proper posture with lumbar spine in neutral.

19. Stand-Pivot Transfer General Transfers • Have patient push up from bed and stand. • Be sure to position self to avoid bending and twisting. • Maintain a neutral spine during transfer. • Instruct patient to reach for the arm rest of the chair.

20. Two Person Lift General Transfers • Do not allow patient to hold you around the neck. • Use correct positioning if two people are required for the transfer. One person should be in front, the other to the side (demonstration). • Position chair right next to bed-remove arm of chair if possible.

21. Two Person Lift General Transfers • Position one (1) lifter at head, one (1) at foot. • Both lifters use good body mechanics and maintain a neutral spine as they reach to lift the patient. • One (1) lifter acts as the leader, counts to three (3) and the team lifts the patient into the bed/chair while using good body mechanics.

22. Sliding Board General Transfers • Position chair right next to bed • Remove arm from chair • Assist patient to a sitting position on the edge of the bed. • Use transfer belt if available. • Stand in front of the patient to prevent sliding forward.

23. Sliding Board General Transfers • Position board under patient's buttock and on the chair. • Patient uses arms to slide body along the board. • Assist as needed using good body mechanics.

24. Chair to Car • Explain process to patient • Move chair close to car seat • Patient may use arms on chair to help stand • Your knees to his knees (bracing) • Stand and pivot • Instruct patient to bend forward and sit

25. Assisting the Ambulatory Person Walkers: • Types – Standard, Folding, Rolling, Platform • Step One – Adjust the height of the walker. • The top of the handle to the bend in the wrist.

26. Assisting the Ambulatory Person • The walker is not a stabilization device for standing from a seated position. • Allow the person to rise or sit with assistance from the chair before reaching for the walker. • Be sure to guard the person from behind and slightly to the side during ambulation.

27. Assisting the Ambulatory Person Canes: • Types – Walkcane, Straight cane, Quad cane • Step One – Adjust the height of the cane. • The top of the handle to the bend in the wrist.

28. Assisting the Ambulatory Person Canes: • Standing and sitting • The cane is not a stabilization device for standing from a seated position • Allow the person to rise or sit with assistance from the chair before reaching for the cane.

29. Problem Solving….. • How do you do it? • Safety #1 issue • YOU and the PATIENT