The Importance of Proper Body Mechanics

Body mechanics refers to the way the body, spine, and extremities moves during activities of daily living ADLs. Teaching proper body mechanics is crucial to avoid muscle weakness, prevent injury, decrease back pain, and maximize efficiency. Poor body mechanics can cause muscles to shorten or overstretch overtime, which can cause muscle weakness. If muscles become weak, ADLs can become difficult since the necessary muscle strength is no longer there. Improper body mechanics while performing certain tasks may also lead to muscles being torn or strain. It can lead to joints, ligaments, and tendons being overused, which can cause injuries. When performing certain tasks, like lifting heavy objects, it is important to maintain proper body mechanics in order to avoid applying excess stress to certain body parts, like the lower back. Continually putting high loads of stress on the back could eventually result in chronic low back pain and lead to back disorders. Teaching proper body mechanics can also help prevent chronic malalignments of the spine from prolonged improper postures. Exaggerated spinal curves can cause muscles to overstretch, connective tissues on the convex side to weaken, and structures on the concave side to tighten. For example, when sitting at a computer desk for extended period of times, an individual may develop a forward head posture. A forward head posture lengthens the neck flexors, shortens the neck extensors, and stresses the hyoid bone. The hyoid bone is important for swallowing, so the individual will have difficulty eating and drinking. With malalignment, the body does not function optimally. For example, excess thoracic kyphosis causes the rib cage to collapse, which decreases breathing efficiency. Overtime, improper alignment can also cause "flatback." "Flatback" posture requires about 30% more energy to maintain compared to a neutral posture, which could cause more complications for individuals who already have respiratory restrictions.

If treating a client who has to lift objects often, it is important for him/her to know how to correctly lift object. Many people tend to use their backs to lift objects, which will more than likely cause low back pain. Lifting should be completed with the legs, not the back. Leg strengthening exercises may be important if a client lacks leg strength in order to properly lift. Another important body mechanics intervention is proper posture. In order to maintain proper posture, core muscles and trunk extensors need to be activated. If a client is unable to maintain proper posture, strengthening the core and back extensors could be beneficial. A tight chest could also cause improper posture by producing excessive thoracic kyphosis. Stretching the pectoralis major and strengthening the rhomboids (to keep the chest lifted) could help maintain proper posture.