FHENS

BODY Mechanics

Body mechanics is the coordinated effort of the muscles, bones, and nervous system to maintain balance and posture during lifting, bending, moving, and performing activities of daily living.  The purpose of proper body mechanics is prevention of strain and injury to the muscles, joints, and tendons.

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Body movement requires the coordinated functioning of bones, muscles, and the nervous system. In order for movement to be coordinated, all three systems should be healthy. The bones make up the skeleton or framework of the body. The skeleton provides attachments for the muscles and ligaments. Joints are the connections between bones which are held together by the ligaments. Tendons attach the muscles to the bones. Can you imagine a body without bones?

 

Movement of bones and joints occurs because of the muscles that are attached to them. There are many muscles involved with each movement, and they work together by taking turns relaxing and contracting so that the arm, leg, finger, ankle, etc., can bend or straighten at the joint. Movement

is regulated by the nervous system. It is voluntary—you can decide whether or not you will walk across the room now or wait until later. It is a movement you have learned so well that you do not have to think about sending a message to your legs to move forward. If any one of these three systems is affected by disease or injury, you will immediately recognize how important each is to your health and how difficult it may be to move about. Examples of some diseases or injuries that impact mobility include arthritis, stroke, slipped disc, fractured hip, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, obesity, and diabetes.

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It is imperative to perform and execute each movement consistently well, once this is achieved intensity (adding weight) can occur.