PRINCIPLES OF

BODY MECHANICS

By: Angeluz Fernandez-Garcia

 Body Mechanics

DEFINITION:

IS THE UTILIZATION OF CORRECT

MUSCLES TO COMPLETE A TASK
SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY,
WITHOUT UNDUE STRAIN ON ANY
MUSCLE OR JOINT.
 PRINCIPLES OF GOOD BODY MECHANICS
A. Maintain a Stable Center of Gravity.
1. Keep your center of gravity low.

2. Keep your back straight.

3. Bend at the knees and hips.

B. Maintain a Wide Base of Support. This will

provide you with maximum stability while
lifting.
4. Keep your feet apart.

5. Place one foot slightly ahead of the other.

6. Flex your knees to absorb jolts.

7. Turn with your feet.

C. Maintain the Line of Gravity.
1. The line should pass vertically through the
base of support.
2. Keep your back straight.

3. Keep the object being lifted close to your

body.
D. Maintain Proper Body Alignment.
4. Tuck in your buttocks.

5. Pull your abdomen in and up.

6. Keep your back flat.

7. Keep your head up.

8. Keep your chin in.

9. Keep your weight forward and supported on

the outside of your feet.
 TECHNIQUES OF BODY MECHANICS

A. Lifting.
•Use the stronger leg muscles for lifting.
•Bend at the knees and hips; keep your back
straight.
•Lift straight upward, in one smooth motion.

B. Reaching.
1. Stand directly in front of and close to the
object.
2. Avoid twisting or stretching.
3. Use a stool or ladder for high objects.
4. Maintain a good balance and a firm base of
support.
5. Before moving the object, be sure that it is
not too large or too heavy.
C. Pivoting.
1. Place one foot slightly ahead of the other.

2. Turn both feet at the same time, pivoting

on the heel of one foot and the toe of the
other.
3. Maintain a good center of gravity while
holding or carrying the object.
D. Avoid Stooping.
4. Squat (bending at the hips and knees).

5. Avoid stooping (bending at the waist).

6. Use your leg muscles to return to an

upright position.
 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR PERFORMING
PHYSICAL TASKS
1. It is easier to pull, push, or roll an object than it
is to lift it.
2. Movements should be smooth and coordinated
rather than jerky.
3. Less energy or force is required to keep an
object moving than it is to start and stop it.
4. Use the arm and leg muscles as much as
possible, the back muscles as little as possible.
5. Keep the work as close as possible to your body.
It puts less of a strain on your back, legs, and
arms.
6. Rock backward or forward on your feet to use
your body weight as a pushing or pulling force.
7. Keep the work at a comfortable height to avoid
excessive bending at the waist.
8. Keep your body in good physical condition to
reduce the chance of injury.
 Use proper body mechanics
in order to avoid the
following:
1. Excessive fatigue.
2. Muscle strains or tears.
3. Skeletal injuries.
4. Injury to the patient.
5. Injury to assisting staff
members.
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE
RANGE OF MOTION
EXERCISES
 RANGE OF MOTION
EXERCISES
Range of motion (ROM) exercises are
ones in which a nurse or patient move
each joint through as full a range as is
possible without causing pain. The
effect of both regular exercise and
immobility on major body systems are
discussed in this lesson.
 THE EFFECTS OF IMMOBILITY
Cardiovascular System

1. Increased cardiac workload due to

increased viscosity from dehydration
and decreased venous return.
2. Venous stasis caused by prolonged
inactivity that restricts or slows
venous circulation
3. Thrombus and embolus formation
caused by slow flowing blood.
4. Orthostatic hypotension
Respiratory System.
1. Hypostatic pneumonia
• Increased temperature.
•Thick copious secretions.
•Cough.
•Increased pulse.
•Confusion, irritability, or disorientation.
•Sharp chest pain.
•Dyspnea.

2. Atelectasis- incomplete expansion or

collapse of lung tissue.
3. Impaired coughing- due to the
patient's position in bed decreasing
chest cage expansion.
Musculoskeletal System.

•Muscle atrophy- Disuse leads to decreased

muscle size, tone, and strength.
•Contracture- Decreased joint movement
leads to permanent shortening of muscle
tissue, resistant to stretching. The strong
flexor muscles pull tight, causing a
contraction of the extremity or a permanent
position of flexion.
•Ankylosis- Consolidation and immobility of a
joint in a particular position due to
contracture.
•Osteoporosis. Lack of stress on the bone
causes an increase in calcium absorption,
weakening the bone.
Nervous System.
•Altered sensation caused by prolonged
pressure and continual stimulation of nerves.
Usually pain is felt at first and then
sensation is altered, and the patient no
longer senses the pain.
•Peripheral nerve palsy.

Gastrointestinal System.
•Disturbance in appetite caused by the
slowing of gastrointestinal tract, secondary
immobility, and decreased activity resulting
in anorexia.
•Altered digestion and utilization of nutrients
resulting in constipation.
•Altered protein metabolism.
Integumentary System
1. Risk of skin breakdown, which leads to necrosis
and ulceration of tissues, especially on bony areas.

Urinary System.
1.Renal calculi (kidney stones) caused by stagnation
of urine in the renal pelvis and the high levels
of urinary calcium.
Urinary tract infections caused by urinary stasis
that favors the growth of bacteria.
Decreased bladder muscle tone resulting in
urinary retention.
Metabolism.
2.Increased risk of electrolyte imbalance.
3.Decreased metabolic rate.
4.Altered exchange of nutrients and gases.
Psychosocial Functioning.
1. Decrease in self-concept and increase
in sense of powerlessness due to
inability to move purposefully and
dependence on someone for assistance
with simple self-care activities.
2. Body image distortions (depends on
diagnosis).
3. Decrease in sensory stimulation due to
lack of activity, and altered sleep-wake
pattern.
4. Increased risk of depression, which may
cause the patient to become apathetic,
possibly because of decreased sensory
stimulation; or the patient may exhibit
altered thought processes.
5. Decreased social interaction.
THE PURPOSES OF EXERCISE FOR THE
IMMOBILE PATIENT
1. To maintain joint mobility is done by
putting each of the patient's joints
through all possible movements to
increase and/or maintain movement in
each joint.
2. To prevent contracture, atony
(insufficient muscular tone), and
atrophy of muscles.
3. To stimulate circulation, preventing
thrombus and embolus formation.
4. To improve coordination.

5. To increase tolerance for more

activity.
6. To maintain and build muscle strength.
 TYPES OF
EXERCISES
Passive. These exercises are carried out
by the nurse, without assistance from the
patient. Passive exercises will not
preserve muscle mass or bone
mineralization because there is no
voluntary contraction, lengthening of
muscle, or tension on bones.
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Active Assistive. These exercises are
performed by the patient with assistance from
the nurse. Active assistive exercises encourage
normal muscle function while the nurse
supports the distal joint.
Active. Active exercises are performed
by the patient, without assistance, to
increase muscle strength.
Resistive. These are active exercises
performed by the patient by pulling or
pushing against an opposing force.
Isometric. These exercises are
performed by the patient by contracting
and relaxing muscles while keeping the
part in a fixed position. Isometric
exercises are done to maintain muscle
strength when a joint is immobilized. Full
patient cooperation is required.
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TYPES OF BODY
MOVEMENT
Flexion. The state of being bent. The
cervical spine is flexed when the chin is
moved toward the chest.
Extension. The state of being in a
straight line. The cervical spine is
extended when the head is held straight.
EXTENSION
Hyperextension The state of exaggerated
extension. The cervical spine is
hyperextended when the person looks
overhead, toward the ceiling.
Abduction- Lateral movement of a body
part away from the midline of the body.
The arm is abducted when it is held away
from the body.
Adduction- Lateral movement of a body
part toward the midline of the body. The
arm is adducted when it is moved from
an outstretched position toward the
body.
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Rotation- Turning of a body part

around an axis. The head is rotated
when moved from side to side to
indicate "no."
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Circumduction- Rotating an
extremity in a complete circle.
Circumduction is a combination of
abduction, adduction, extension,
and flexion.
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Supination- The palm or sole is

rotated in an upward position
Pronation- The palm or sole
is rotated in a downward
position.
GOOD DAY!!!!