Posture and Body Mechanics

While a lot of us aren’t always aware of our posture and body’s mechanics, they are both very essential concepts to learn about and be mindful of for many reasons! This is why is it’s it important to teach your clients about them as an occupational therapist. One specific reason why is because posture impacts one’s ability to move and function throughout their day, therefore teaching your client to do so can maintain, or even improve their functioning. Another reason why is to prevent, or minimize, the risk of injury or progressive deformity, especially in your client's back. Having ideal posture also allows for a person’s internal organs to function properly, which is another reason why the client should be taught proper posture and body mechanics! In addition to this, having proper posture also allows for the client to have better balance, therefore reducing the likeliness of falling from being off-balance. Excessive spinal curvature from poor posture can have many consequences including overly tightened muscles and opposing weakened muscles, narrowing of vertebral spaces potentially resulting in nerve compression and excess stress on ligaments and joint capsules. Considering that, it is easy to see why occupational therapists should work with their clients on proper body posture, so they can avoid experiencing the consequences listed. 

One way I might teach my client to prevent injury and improve their body mechanics is by ensuring that they do not lift heavy objects and rotate their trunk at the same time. Instead, I would recommend that the client uses their feet to pivot their body to the area where they can safely put down the object. Another thing I would reinforce as an occupational therapist would be to make sure the client plans out their lifting before performing the job. This process could involve making sure the area has no slipping or tripping hazards, planning rest stops in advance, testing the load before the actual lift and avoiding use of the stairs if at all possible. Lastly, I would recommend that anytime a pushing motion is an option to do it, instead of pulling a load toward yourself, since pulling places added stress on the back and has an increased risk of injury. 

The Pinky's Importance

Many might think the pinky is not very significant for everyday activities, however it contributes much more than one might think! The pinky, or fifth phalange, plays a significant role in being able to powerfully grip objects and for the ability to tightly close the hand. Thinking of the short story we read for class, the soldier’s daily routine could be impacted in several different ways, as well as the occupations surrounding the routine by the loss of his 5^th phalange (pinky finger). For instance, when getting ready for the day the soldier might have difficulty firmly gripping his tooth brush. This is because all of the digits are involved in grasping. Another occupation that could be impacted from this could be exercising in order to be a fit, competent soldier– the loss of his finger would make it difficult to have the traditional power grip on dumbbells and on the pull-up bar. With each digit there is increased hand mobility, which results in greater hand closure and a firmer grip.  Considering this, it is likely that the dumbbells the soldier would be using could slip out of his hand, especially with increased weight, and that his grip on the pull up bar could slip, too. Another instance that could be influenced by this injury at the gym is holding and drinking from his canteen; this would be a cylindrical grip with deficits in power and keeping the hand tightly around the canteen.

            Reviewing the soldier’s occupation of exercising in order to stay fit to be a soldier, there is a few modifications that come to mind. I would recommend that the soldier use a pull up bar and dumbbells that have a bumpy texture that would improve his ability to grip and not slip. Also, using something like chalk powered on his palms could help his grip, too. Finally, he could wear workout gloves that have a tacky texture that would prevent his hands from sliding! All of these modifications would help the soldier regain his independence at the gym, since he would be able to participate in his previous workout routines!