Learning Objectives for Proper Body Mechanics

Proper body mechanics prevent injury and pain. One-half of all workers in the United States report back pain within the past year, according to the American Chiropractic Association. Proper body mechanics protect the health of your back and ensure the safety of those in your charge. Learning objectives include an improved knowledge of anatomy, ergonomic assessment skills, assistive devices and techniques of proper body mechanics.

Physiology

• All students will have an understanding of physiology reasonably appropriate to their experience with anatomy. Nursing students will display a solid grasp of advanced physiology terminology as it relates to proper body mechanics. Lay people will have a fundamental understanding of how muscles and bones work when we lift things or sit at a desk.

Assessment

• Objectives for medical students learning proper body mechanics include an accurate patient assessment. A medical student learns to assess the patient's weight, ability to help himself, and the student's own ability to accomplish the goal in a safe manner. Students should be able to assess whether they can accomplish a goal alone or if they need the assistance of another person. The student will also learn to assess his own body mechanics in daily life, including posture while sitting at a computer or lifting objects unrelated to patient care.

  Non-medical students learn to assess their own body mechanics as they relate to their own professional or personal activities. Office workers learn to assess how they sit and stand while using keyboards, desktop computer monitors, copiers and other equipment to reduce back pain, stiff neck and carpal tunnel syndrome, among other maladies. All persons can gain from assessing how poor body mechanics and repetitive motions lead to injury.

Ergonomics

• Ergonomics describes designing furniture, devices and equipment in a way that encourages proper body mechanics. The student will become adept at recognizing ergonomic equipment and employing ergonomic appliances and methods. The student will also be proficient at correcting furniture and equipment to make it more ergonomically correct.

Application of Assistive Devices

• The medical student will learn to apply and use assistive devices. Assistive devices augment proper body mechanics when helping patients. Use a gait belt to assist patients who can support at least half their own body weight, according to the Institute for Caregiver Education. Assistive devices will ensure proper body mechanics for both the patient and the caretaker.

Lifting and Bending Techniques

• The student will learn techniques for safely lifting heavy loads. Instructors will reinforce the importance of using the large muscles of the leg while maintaining proper posture of the neck, shoulders and back. Students will demonstrate proper sitting posture, as well as how to reduce complications arising from using computer keyboards for long periods of time.