The Power of Posture

Proper posture and body mechanics are an essential role in prevention of energy and rehabilitation after an injury. Good posture allows our bodies to breath, move, and align properly causing minimal strain to the muscles and joints. Often times, we are unaware of our posture until the pain begins to interfere with our daily activities. Having proper posture and good body mechanics can:

1) Ensure efficiency in performing functional task

2) Prevent injury especially back injuries - most back problems result from poor posture and/ or bad body mechanics

3) Allow internal organs ability to function properly

4) Reduce stress that is put on the spine and avoid strains of additional muscles and ligaments

When teaching proper body mechanics and OT or an OT student would:

Ensure the client is educated on awareness of their own body mechanics. Modify daily task to insure minimal strain on the body. If a person works at a desk all day an example of a modification would be getting a desk that raises and allows the person to stand and work for different periods throughout the day.
Another example would be teaching your client proper body mechanics when lifting. An occuaptional therapist would remind the client to bend at knees, not at waist, do not torque back as you lift, keep object you are lifting below waist level, keep objects close to your center of gravity, avoid reaching for objects.

Education is very important as well as the client being aware of the strains that are being put on their body. With a little practice, good body mechanics and a nice posture can significantly reduce the risk of injury and minimize the level of pain.

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