Posture and Body Mechanics

Reasons to teach proper posture and body mechanics to a client who has faulty posture and poor body mechanics.

• To prevent further injury to the musculoskeletal system or progressive deformity (e.g., to maintain mobility and therefore some level of independence).
• For muscular and skeletal balance (e.g., to prevent falls).
• To help them practice being in positions that are more efficient for stability and/or mobility (e.g., to easily change from positions of sitting to standing).
• To promote optimal function of their muscles, intrathoracic organs, and abdominal organs (e.g., to reserve energy so that they can participate in their chosen occupations).

How to teach or use proper posture and body mechanics in an intervention with your clients.

• Demonstrate proper body mechanics using the broom stick technique. This way the client can visualize the bending movements and practice it to understand how to properly lift an object from the floor. The steps (while holding the broom stick with one arm, parallel to my spine): (1) hinge at the hips (2) bend at knees (3) get close to the object with a wide base of support (4) lift head, and (5) push straight up.
• Demonstrate how to properly place dishes into the dishwasher, using proper body mechanics. For example, showing the client how to pivot or how to use the Golfer’s Lift (bending forward with one leg back to counterbalance opposite side with hand on the object) to place dishes in the dishwasher.