Posture & Body Mechanics

As occupational therapists, we have a dual responsibility to our clients. We must teach them the proper principles when lifting, reaching, bending and pulling and pushing and we must provide modifications to tasks to promote good body mechanics and alignment. It is important to teach clients about proper posture and body mechanics because in 2016, the back was the most common body part to be injured. It is also known that 8 out of 10 adults will have low back pain at some point in their life. This back pain, that 80% of people will experience, is caused by poor posture, faulty body mechanics, stressful work habits and a general lack of physical fitness. Once you have injured your back, it has been reported that 90% of back pain is recurrent, so it will continue to bother you. However, it is shown that when using ideal body alignment and posture, there is a muscular and skeletal balance, optimal functioning of the organs and minimizes the risk of progressive deformity.   

To teach clients about the proper body mechanics I would explain the importance of knowing the correct way of lifting objects safety by keeping the objects as close as possible, keeping a straight back, using leg muscles instead of back muscles and taking multiple trips to lighten the load. I would demonstrate how to do this, have them practice and then print a worksheet that they could have to remind them of the steps of proper lifting. I also teach them the slouch-overcorrect technique to demonstrate ideal sitting posture by demonstrating it and then having them practice it as well. This will inform the client on how to get into the ideal sitting posture and how it should feel. Along with the proper sitting posture I would let them know of modifications that can help maintain this posture like pillows, towels or ergonomic chairs. It is also important to educate clients on how important maintaining a healthy body weight is and exercising regality is to decreasing their risk of injury!