2. Anatomy of the spine
Tower of interlocking building blocks held together by
thin muscles and ligaments
Vertebral bodies with cartilage ‘blocks’ between
Four-five curves balance each other while maintaining
flexibility and upright balance
Excessive or repetitive force in any direction can cause
vertebral bodies to shift, forcing cartilage to ‘bulge’
Changes in vertebral or cartilage position causes
pressure on ligaments and/or nerves = PAIN
5. Changes in Spinal Curves
If any spinal curve increases or decreases, it
forces the same amount of change in the other
curves, position of the head, and position of the
hips.
Scoliosis – sideways curvature of the spine
Lordosis – anterior curvature of the spine
Kyphosis – posterior curvature of the spine
Maintaining correct spinal alignment during
function typically prevents injury.
6. Risk Factors for Back Injury
Lifting with your back bowed out.
Bending and reaching with your back bowed
out.
Slouched sitting.
Twisting or jerking movements.
Lack of proper rest.
Obesity and poor nutrition.
Stressful work and living habits.
7. Principles of Good Body
Mechanics
Position yourself close to object – center of gravity
Increase your base of support – widen your stance
Maintain vertical line of gravity – imaginary straight
line bisecting body through head, spine, and pelvis
to ground
Use big muscles rather than small muscles – leg not
back
Avoid simultaneously bending and turning - rotation
and flexion
Know your limits and seek assistance
9. Lifting
Don’ts
Lift objects too heavy for height/weight/gender (see
NIOSH lifting standards)
Perform repetitive, jerky, or sustained lifts
Lift objects from floor, trunk, or high shelf without
bending knees/hips
Do’s
Bend hips and knees – use large leg muscles
Move/hold objects as close to center of gravity as
possible
Rock, push, pull, or slide heavy objects
11. Deep Squat/Traditional Lift – heavy
or large objects
Position feet on either side of the object
Squat so hips at or below level of knees
Anterior pelvic tilt
Lumbar spine in slight lordosis
UEs parallel to each other
Grip opposite sides of object or under both sides
Bring object close to body
To lift object, slowly straighten legs while maintaining
back, pelvis, and arm position
12. Power Lift – heavy or large objects
Feet parallel to each other behind the object
Half squat position – hips above level of knees
Trunk at 45-50 degrees
Anterior pelvic tilt
Lumbar spine in slight lordosis
UEs positioned parallel to each other
Grasp opposite handles/sides or underneath
object
Bring object close to body
Lift object by slowly straightening legs while
maintaining arm, trunk, and pelvis position
13. Straight Leg Lift – small or light
objects
Face the object with one leg forward
Shift body weight onto forward leg
Lean forward to 80-90 degrees hip flexion
Trunk is parallel to floor
Leg in back is extended as counterbalance
Reach for object with arm on side of forward
leg or both arms if moderate in size/weight
Pick up and return to upright position
14. Half-Kneeling Lift
Used by persons with small stature or weaker UEs
Kneel on one knee behind and slightly to one side of an object
Other leg positioned on the other side of the object with foot flat and
hip at 90 degrees flexion
Trunk remains in normal lordosis throughout lift
Reach for object with both arms
Grasp on both sides or bottom of object and move to thigh of
kneeling leg
Move object close to trunk
Rise to stand, holding object close to trunk, maintaining back
position
NOT appropriate for those with knee joint problem/condition
15. Stoop Lift – briefcase, bag, pail
Stand to one side of object
Feet positioned at shoulder width with one slightly
forward
Stoop by partially flexing hips/knees
Maintain lumbar spine in normal lordosis
Grasp handle or object arm on side of object
Straighten legs to lift object
Other arm can be used as counterbalance or support
Requires less energy than other lifts
17. Pushing / Pulling
Clear path first
Face object and crouch slightly – for heavier
objects, increase crouch
Pushing takes slightly less energy with most objects
Push/pull with arms partly flexed
Push/pull in a straight line, force parallel to floor
Trunk in slight forward flexion with normal lumbar
lordosis
Use leg strength, not arms/back
18. Reaching
Overhead
Stand on sturdy footstool or ladder
Face object and use both hands
Move object close to edge before lifting
All positions
Check to be sure weight is within your capability
Move object close to body as soon as possible
Do not reach and twist body simultaneously
Get help if too heavy, large, or high
19. Carrying
Carry larger or heavy objects close to center of body –
level of waist to midchest
Some objects may be carried on one shoulder (pet food
bag, lumber, etc.), especially if carrying for longer
distance
Balance load whenever possible
Carrying child or backpack –use infant/child carrier and
both straps of backpack, rather than one arm/hip carry
20. WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Healthcare personnel (particularly nursing staff) frequently
experience back injuries as a result of improper lifting,
carrying, pushing/pulling
PT/PTS’s/OT/OTA’s with reoccurring back problems may be
unsafe to transfer and treat patients - limited employment
options
Back injuries tend to be chronic, painful, and debilitating –
who wants ‘em?
With proper body mechanics, therapy staff can avoid injury to
themselves and their patients throughout their career