When lifting a patient, why are we asked to use our arms and legs and not our back?
Taking care of a spouse or family member at home can be both emotionally and physically challenging. Meeting the physical demands of lifting, turning, and transferring a loved one can put both patient and caregiver at risk for injury. Show
The most common injuries caregivers experience are to the back, neck, and shoulders, and are often caused by overuse — repeating the same lifting or pulling motions again and again. Using proper lifting techniques can help prevent injury. This article provides some general guidelines for lifting and transferring patients safely. Many communities and local hospitals provide training to help non-professionals properly care for a family member at home. Some general guidelines to follow when you lift or move a person include:
If the person is uncooperative, too heavy, or in an awkward position, get help. Sitting Up in BedTo move a person who is lying in bed to a wheelchair, put the chair close to the bed and lock the wheels. If the person is not strong enough to push up with their hands to a sitting position, place one of your arms under the person's legs and your other arm under their back. Move the person's legs over the edge of the bed while pivoting their body so that the person ends up sitting on the edge of the bed. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, your knees bent, and your back in a natural straight position. Standing UpIf the person needs assistance getting into the wheelchair, position the person's feet on the floor and slightly apart. Face the person and place their hands on the bed or on your shoulders. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart with your knees bent. Place your arms around the person's back and clasp your hands together. Hold the person close to you, lean back, and shift your weight. Nurses, physical therapists, and others in hospitals often use lifting belts fastened around a person's waist to help with these types of movements. The caregiver then grasps the belt when lifting the patient. Sitting DownPivot toward the wheelchair, bend your knees, and lower the person into the chair. Make sure the person has both hands on the arms of the chair before you lower them down. The Importance of Proper Body Mechanics - Keeping Your Spine HealthyBody mechanics is a term used to describe the ways we move as we go about our daily lives. It includes how we hold our bodies when we sit, stand, lift, carry, bend, and sleep. Poor body mechanics are often the cause of back problems. When we don't move correctly and safely, the spine is subjected to abnormal stresses that over time can lead to degeneration of spinal structures like discs and joints, injury, and unnecessary wear and tear.That is why it is so important to learn the principals of proper body mechanics. But don't worry, it's not complicated. And once you get used to them, they can easily be incorporated into your daily life. You will be glad you learned them as they can save you from back pain and discomfort. PostureWe have all been told since childhood to "stand up straight". But it's easy to get into bad habits. Good body mechanics are based on good posture. Good posture means the spine is in a "neutral" position - not too rounded forward and not arched back too far. But what does good posture look like? It's easy, follow these few steps:
That's it, proper posture! Feel how balanced the spine is? Very little energy is now required to keep it that way. Practice this position until it becomes second nature. Being aware of your posture during all of your daily activities is the best way to ensure you are using good body mechanics. Here are a few exercises that can help improve your posture.
StandingMillions of people spend a good deal of their time on their feet. Standing work, including bending, lifting, carrying and reaching can be tough on the back - especially if proper body mechanics are not being used. Use the following guidelines to minimize the risk of injury to your back when doing standing work:
Other important tips to remember:
SittingWhether sitting at a desk or at home watching television, good body mechanics are still important to keep in mind. For deskwork, consider investing in an ergonomically enhanced chair. What does proper sitting look like?
For prolonged periods of sitting, make sure you have enough support for your lower back. Look for a chair that has adjustable lumbar support. If that is not possible, you can increase your back support by using a lumbar roll or even a rolled up towel or cushion placed behind your lower back. Keep in mind that even sitting in the "correct" position for long periods of time will eventually become uncomfortable. Don't forget to take breaks, get up, move around and stretch! This will reduce the stress on your spine and help prevent muscle fatigue and stiffness. SleepingWe spend about one-third of our time in bed, so we can't ignore how our bodies are positioned during sleep. As during our waking hours, the goal is to maintain a neutral spine even while we are in bed. Here's how:
LiftingThe process of lifting places perhaps the greatest loads on the low back and therefore, has the highest risk of injury. Use of proper lifting mechanics and posture is critical to prevent injury. In the end, it is more important how you lift than how heavy a weight you lift. Here are a few tips on how to lift safely:
As you can see, proper body mechanics are vitally important for keeping your spine healthy. And it's easy to incorporate these principals into your daily life. It may seem unnatural at first, but if you keep at it, they will easily become routine. Your back will thank you for it! If you are having back pain, have questions about a spinal condition, or need help maintaining good body mechanics, contact us here at CCSI. One of our spine specialists can help you. Why should we use our arms and legs not our back in lifting patient or heavy object?Use your legs and arms as much as possible because the muscles are stronger than those in your back. To stand, straighten your knees and keep your back straight. Carry a child or a heavy object close to you at waist height, which is your center of gravity.
When lifting the patient you should use your muscles in your?Use your arm and leg muscles to lift an object, rather than using the muscles in your back. Hold objects close to your body at waist level when you carry something heavy.
What should you not do when lifting a patient?General Tips for Lifts and Transfers. Never lift more than you can comfortably handle.. Let the person do as much as he or she is capable of during the lift or transfer. ... . Work at the person's level and speed and check for pain.. Avoid sudden jerking motions.. Never pull on the person's arms or shoulders.. What are the proper body mechanics when lifting a patient?While lifting, keep your back in a neutral position (arched normally, not stiff), knees bent, weight balanced on both feet. Tighten your stomach and back muscles to maintain a correct support position. Use your arms to support the person. Again, let your legs do the lifting.
|