 Muscles work best when used correctly  Correct use of muscles makes lifting, pulling, and pushing easier  Correct application of body mechanics prevents unnecessary fatigue and strain, and saves energy  Correct application of body mechanics prevents injury to self and others  When we don't move correctly and safely, the spine is subjected to abnormal stresses that over time can lead to degeneration of spinal structures like discs and joints, injury, and unnecessary wear and tear.

 The healthcare worker can harm themselves, but further more they can hurt the patient that they are taking care of. Injuries to the already sick patient caused by bad body mechanics can cause many other problems

The hips and knees should bend in order to pick up an object. The actual steps to pick up an object are as follows: Step 1: Before doing any lifting, determine if the object is too heavy or not Step 2: Keep the natural curvature of spine while lifting Step 3: Place your feet shoulder width apart before beginning the lift. This increases stability and provides a firm foundation Step 4: Bend at the knees and hips to pick up the object Step 5: Pull the object close to your body. This maintains the center of gravity

 When you bend down with your back, you are only bending with those muscles, which makes the lifting weak as well as more likely to cause injury. However, when you use your legs, you use both your hip and leg muscles to lift the object, and more muscles used gives a less chance for causing injury.

HINT: When someone ABDUCTS you, they take you AWAY HINT: For Adduction, you ADD to your body

HINT: Think about it as if you were PLANTING your foot in the ground

Body Mechanics and OSHA  OSHA emphasizes body mechanics in relation to healthcare workers because according to the United States Department of Labor OSHA Fact Sheet, 80 percent of worker compensation claims involving an employee moving a heavy object were for the lower back, and 75 percent of those were due to lifting. [That’s why good body mechanics are important!]

 Is it safer to bend at your knees or at your back?  True or False: Plantar Flexion is when you are pointing the foot upwards.  True or False: Abduction is movement away from the midline of the body.  True or False: You try to pick up an object, no matter how much it weighs.  True or False: When you pronate your arm, the palm faces forward  True or False: You can have severe back injury if you do not follow good body mechanics.