Proper Posture and Body Mechanics

It is important to teach proper posture and body mechanics to not only a client who has faulty posture and poor body mechanics but also any individual seeing as 80% of the population will experience low back pain at some point in their life.  Clients should know these statistics so they can take their interventions seriously.  It is also important to teach proper posture so people can try and prevent progression of disc injury.  Most herniated discs occur in the lower back which is the main weight bearing section of the spine.  When a person bends forward there is pressure on the annulus fibrosus which can lead to complications and eventual disc displacement resulting in a great deal of pain. We want to teach proper posture and body mechanics so people can remain active in their activities of daily living.  If a person experiences back pain or other complications from poor posture and body mechanics, they may not be able to fulfill their daily occupations. Lastly, we want to educate clients on this subject because injuries that happen at work can be very costly.  Medical bills are very expensive and worker’s compensation claims have also increased.  Employers are also affected by having to hire and train replacement workers.  Businesses can follow OSHA guidelines for safety and have employees participate in OSHA learning modules.  

One way I would teach proper posture and body mechanics would be to go through the slouch-overcorrect technique.  I would talk my client through the process of sitting in chair, slouching, over-correcting by sitting up very straight and then relaxing to feel the correct seated posture.  I would make this technique a goal for my client to go through at least 5 times a day for the first couple of weeks until it becomes natural.  Another way I would educate my client would be to go through the Body Mechanics Principles worksheet.  I would provide a copy for the client and go through each principle and scenario.  We would discuss the principles for lifting, reaching, pulling and pushing, bending, repetitive motion, and turning.  Then I would have the client ask me questions and repeat something the client learned from the principles to ensure that I know the client understands.