"Body mechanics" is a term used to describe the manner in which you move and position yourself during everyday activities. It is essential for all individuals to follow the principles of good body mechanics on a daily basis. Practicing proper body mechanics can significantly improve the overall health of your body and, most importantly, your spine.
Importance
Performing everyday household, occupational or recreational tasks places significant forces on the human body. Practicing proper body mechanics is essential to limit the stress placed on the important structures within your body, especially the spine, which is a complex structure composed of a network of muscles, ligaments, vertebrae and nerves. Poor body mechanics can ultimately result in damage to these critical structures and cause loss of feeling, weakness, pain and decreased function.
Posture and Body Mechanics
Posture is by far one of the most integral components in body mechanics. Having poor posture is one of the primary causes of injuries to the spine. Dr. Steven R. Garfin, M.D. from the University of California, San Diego, says that good posture is a position in which the spine is in a "neutral" or "resting" position. The neutral spine describes a comfortable static position maintained by the ligaments, bones and intervertebral discs.
General Principles of Good Body Mechanics
You can maintain good body mechanics by following a few basic principles throughout the day. If you sit for long periods throughout the day, place a roll behind your back to maintain a straight back, and adjust your environment to make items more accessible. When standing, wear appropriate shoes, keep your feet at least 12 inches apart and maintain a straight back. When lifting objects, keep your feet apart, get as close to the object as possible, bend at the hips and knees and lift with your leg muscles, while maintaining a straight back.
Impact of Lifestyle on Body Mechanics
A variety of lifestyle factors can affect your posture and ultimately your body mechanics. Although lifestyle factors do not directly affect the way you position yourself during activity, they can cause you to use substitution or compensatory patterns which result in poor body mechanics. Lack of exercise, for instance, can lead to weak muscles in the back, which can cause you to use incorrect muscles while lifting and performing daily activities.
Body Mechanics and Physical Therapy
Physical therapists are specially trained to understand the physics and kinematics of the human body; a physical therapist can design a comprehensive program that incorporates therapeutic exercise, specific manual techniques and education that specifically meets your activity needs and help you improve your body mechanics.
