Body mechanics is a term used to describe the ways in which you move your body through your day. Efficient body movements can help safeguard your health, while inefficient movements contribute to various forms of pain or injury. Ergonomics is an area of study and design that looks at the ways equipment and work environments can be used to support proper body mechanics.
Body Mechanics
The ways in which you sit, stand, walk, run, exercise, lie down or perform other activities can significantly affect the health of the bones, muscles, ligaments and joints throughout your body. Body mechanics can have particularly profound effects on the health of your spine and spinal cord, as well as the nerves associated with these structures. In addition to common everyday movements, you may have to deal with significant challenges to proper body mechanics during the performance of workplace activities such as lifting heavy objects or sitting at a desk for extended periods of time.
Ergonomics
In an ergonomically efficient workplace, the equipment, furniture and routines are designed to maintain your health, reduce your chances of injury, increase morale and add to the general productivity of a working environment. Factors that contribute to this type of workplace include chairs, desks, tables, workstations, safety equipment and public facilities that are adaptable to the needs of a variety of workers -- including lighting that allows you to see and concentrate easily, adequate ventilation and temperature control and a social environment that encourages worker feedback on ergonomic issues.
Workplace Interactions
Body mechanics and ergonomics interact constantly in everyday work environments. For instance, if you have an office chair that allows you to adjust your height and position, you still must know which adjustments work best for your body and work habits. Similarly, you must know how to minimize body strain from typing, looking at a computer monitor and the various other potentially harmful activities you engage in on a regular basis.
Home Interactions
Body mechanics and ergonomics also interact in your home environment. Common home activities that can put you at risk include washing your car, raking leaves, cutting your grass, using a wheelbarrow and performing a wide range of household repair tasks. In addition to properly carrying your body during these activities, you can diminish your health risks by using tools that are ergonomically well-designed for the tasks you wish to perform. You can also reduce your risks by taking frequent breaks and varying the types of home projects you undertake.
