Chapter 13 Assisting with Mobility 375 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. all times. This includes any time healthcare workers position, turn, lift, or transfer a patient. The goal is to reduce the amount of stress on joints and skin. If body parts are in correct alignment they remain functional, healthy, and stress free. Good posture and body alignment are also important for healthcare workers. Many people who work in healthcare can run the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) because of the physically demanding nature of their jobs. MSDs common among healthcare workers often occur while mov- ing and repositioning patients, resulting in high rates of back and shoulder injuries. These injuries can be prevented if proper body mechanics are used. Body mechanics were discussed in more detail in chapter 4. Your mobility—when you walk, climb stairs, or drive a car—happens through constriction of muscles. These muscles move bones with the help of the connective tissue that joins the two together. For example, there are two muscle groups that constrict to move your upper arm: the biceps brachii located on the front of your upper arm, and the triceps brachii on the back of your upper arm. Their constriction is aided by connective tissue. This represents the mechanics in the term body mechanics. Using good body mechanics, such as properly picking up and lifting items during your everyday life, leads to good posture, which • aligns bones and joints, reducing any stress that may occur • reduces wear and tear on joints • strengthens the spine and muscles and • conserves energy. Think It Through Think It Through What is your posture like? Have you been told that you stand up straight or that you slump? When standing, are your feet apart, tailbone tucked in and pelvis tilted, shoulder blades back, chest lifted and forward, and knees straight? Is your head erect and your face forward? Is your chin lifted and jaw and mouth relaxed? Some healthcare facilities ask that healthcare workers wear specially designed back belts to help protect against back injuries they may suffer when giving patient care (Figure 13.2). Unless required, wearing a back belt is a matter of choice, as research has not shown that they will actually prevent back injuries. If a back belt is used, it should be worn properly and should never be a substitute for correct body mechanics and good lifting skills. There are several types of back belts. The ones typically used in the workplace are lightweight and designed as an elastic belt worn around the lower back. Some back belts also have suspenders to hold them in place. Healthcare workers are essential to promoting and maintaining the mobil- ity of their patients. They provide the encouragement, support, and assistance needed to ensure that patients remain mobile, feel comfortable using assistive The brain is more efficient at recognizing movement than it is at isolating a particular muscle. This means that body mechanics training involves practicing movement patterns similar to the intended activity, and then correcting the muscles needed to do that activity. To hit a ball, golfers and tennis players must use their abdominal muscles. Ice skaters mainly use their hips and lower body, but they must also depend on their abdominal and back muscles to lean forward to skate—but not too far, or they may lose their balance. Did You Know? How We Move How We Move Wards Forest Media, LLC Figure 13.2 When worn properly, a back belt may help prevent back strain and injury.