{"id":1583,"date":"2024-09-26T18:29:24","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T22:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/hcalabtheoryandpractice\/chapter\/introduction-3-2\/"},"modified":"2024-09-27T14:24:09","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T18:24:09","slug":"introduction-3","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/hcalabtheoryandpractice\/chapter\/introduction-3\/","title":{"raw":"3.1 Introduction","rendered":"3.1 Introduction"},"content":{"raw":"Body mechanics is defined as \"the efficient and careful use of the body in moving and lifting.\" The goals of body mechanics are to conserve energy and to prevent injury. A thorough knowledge of body mechanics is essential if you are to safely carry out your role as a Health Care Assistant. Body mechanics, however, is not just confined to your working hours. All areas of your life demand a conscious awareness of the need to practice safe body mechanics.\r\n\r\nWhen working as an HCA, you cannot avoid lifting, whether it is assisting a client or lifting a load of laundry. However, you can control how you are lifting. Back, wrist, and shoulder injuries are all too common among health care workers. Many of these injuries could be prevented if workers used correct body mechanics and kept themselves physically fit.\r\n
\r\n

Learning Objectives<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n\r\nUpon completion of this unit, the successful student will be able to:<\/span>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Describe body mechanics and principles of body mechanics.<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Describe the main functions of the spine.<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Explain good body alignment and good posture.<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. Explain how we maintain a healthy back.<\/li>\r\n \t
  5. Describe guidelines for good body mechanics.<\/li>\r\n \t
  6. Describe musculoskeletal injury.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Terms to Know<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

    \r\n
    \r\n
      \r\n \t
    • [pb_glossary id=\"574\"]Body alignment[\/pb_glossary]<\/li>\r\n \t
    • [pb_glossary id=\"558\"]Body balance[\/pb_glossary]<\/li>\r\n \t
    • [pb_glossary id=\"573\"]Body mechanics[\/pb_glossary]<\/li>\r\n \t
    • [pb_glossary id=\"498\"]Body movement[\/pb_glossary]<\/li>\r\n \t
    • [pb_glossary id=\"575\"]Centre of gravity[\/pb_glossary]<\/li>\r\n \t
    • [pb_glossary id=\"576\"]Wide base of support[\/pb_glossary]<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"

      Body mechanics is defined as “the efficient and careful use of the body in moving and lifting.” The goals of body mechanics are to conserve energy and to prevent injury. A thorough knowledge of body mechanics is essential if you are to safely carry out your role as a Health Care Assistant. Body mechanics, however, is not just confined to your working hours. All areas of your life demand a conscious awareness of the need to practice safe body mechanics.<\/p>\n

      When working as an HCA, you cannot avoid lifting, whether it is assisting a client or lifting a load of laundry. However, you can control how you are lifting. Back, wrist, and shoulder injuries are all too common among health care workers. Many of these injuries could be prevented if workers used correct body mechanics and kept themselves physically fit.<\/p>\n

      \n
      \n

      Learning Objectives<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

      \n

      Upon completion of this unit, the successful student will be able to:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Describe body mechanics and principles of body mechanics.<\/li>\n
      2. Describe the main functions of the spine.<\/li>\n
      3. Explain good body alignment and good posture.<\/li>\n
      4. Explain how we maintain a healthy back.<\/li>\n
      5. Describe guidelines for good body mechanics.<\/li>\n
      6. Describe musculoskeletal injury.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
        \n
        \n

        Terms to Know<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

        \n