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BODY MECHANICS
Titis Kurniawan
Objectives
Students able to:
Explain the consept of body mechanics &
related terms correctly
Explain the important of body mechanics in
nursing area correctly
Explain the regulation of movement correctly
Explain 5 examples of postural abnormalities
correctly
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Definition
Body mechanics
Coordinated efforts of the musculosceletal &
nervous system to maintain balance, posture, &
body alligment during lifting, banding, moving &
performing ADLs.
Using all of body parts efficiently to lift and move
safely
Musculosceletal (muscle, tendon, ligament, bone,
joint) & nervous,
Significance
Correct body alignment reduces strain on
musculoskeletal structures, maintains muscle tone, &
contributes to balance.
Knowledge & practice of proper body mechanics
protect the client and nurse from injury to their
musculoskeletal systems.
Proper body mechanics facilitates movement without
muscle strain & excessive use of muscle energy
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........Injury
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Alignment = posture
Positioning of joints, tendons, ligaments,
muscles while standing sitting & liying
Proper body aligment:
reduce strain on musculosceletal structures & risk of
injury
Mantain adequate muscle tone, contribute to balance
& conservation of energy
.....Body Mechanic
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Postural Abnormalities
Torticollis
Footdrop
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Balance
State of equilibrium controlled for a given
purpose
Balance:
Required for maintaining a static position
Impaired risk of fall & injury
Center of gravity in the midle of teh body
Enhanced with wide base of support & correct body
posture
Affected by injury, pain, medication, prolonged immobility
.....Body Mechanic
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.........Body Mechanic
Gravity
To lift safely we must overcome the weight &
center of gravity
Symetrical object only center of the object
Gravity downward imbalance fall
Maximum weight 35% body weight (National
Occupational health & Safety Commission,
1990)
.........Center of gravity
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...........Definition
Friction
Relative motion of survace of body in contact
Prinsip:
Greater surface to be moved greater friction
Larger object produces larger friction
Lifting rather than pushing
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Moving the patient: up in bed
Move close to
the side of the
bed
Back straight, knees bent, one foot forward
(broad base of support)
Up in bed (1
nurse)
(Patient alert &
cooperative)
Encourage independence & foster self-esteem.
Patient bends knees, feet firmly on the bed
grasps side rail @ shoulder level. Nurse
positions hand & arms under patients hips,
back straight, bend knees, feet apart, count to
3. Nurse pulls patient up in bed & pt pulls arms
& pushes feet up into bed.
Up in bed (2
nurses)
(heavy patient
or one who
cannot help)
Patient bends knees, feet firmly on bed, 1
st
nurse at HOB arms under head & shoulders,
face foot of bed, 2
nd
nurse under hips facing
foot of bed, on same side count to 3.
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Moving the patient: lifter
Up in bed
using the
pull
sheet/lifter
(2 nurses)
Do not lift, always slide
One nurse on each side of the bed, firmly grasp
the lifter in both hands, ask the patient to lift
their head. Slide the patient up in bed on the
count of 3.
Benefit: 1. movement b/w 2 layers of cloth has
less friction than skin on cloth.
2. Much easier to grasp sheet firmly than it is to
hold a patients body.
3. Lifter supports the entire body (except the
head) making it easier to keep the patient
straight.
Moving the patient: lateral
From the back to
the side (lateral)
position
Move the patient to the side of the bed, so the
patient will be in the center when complete.
Raise rail, move to other side of bed, roll patient
toward you far ankle over near ankle, far knee over
near knee. Place one hand on clients hip and one
hand on his/her shoulder and roll pt. onto side
toward you. Place pillow under head & neck, bring
shoulder blade forward, position both arms in
slightly flexed positions (protects joints).
Upper arm supported by pillow.
Place pillow behind patients back & pillow under
semi flexed upper leg
Assess need to support feet (footboard, high top
sneakers).
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Moving the patient: prone
From the back to the
abdomen (prone)
Move to the extreme edge of the bed, raise rail on that
side, move to other side.
Pillow for support under abdomen, near arm over head,
turn face away, roll as above, check arm & face, continue
rolling.
Prone - infrequently used because respirations can be
compromised
Good position for pressure sores on hips/buttocks.
Important to turn head to the side, no pillow b/c it hyper
extends the neck can use small towel, small folded
towel under each shoulder to prevent slumping, flat
pillow at abdomen (esp. women with large breasts)
Arms at either sides or flexed by head, hand rolls, feet in
dorsiflexion sandbags under ankles.