Caregiver Resources

Movement for the Caregivers

You may find yourself caring for a patient who is unable to go from one location to another on their own. Their physical limits are caused by a lack of voluntary muscle control, trouble maintaining equilibrium, or poor body-righting abilities.

Physical limits can be especially tough for those who have suffered from brain injury, such as your patients who have had a stroke. Those who have suffered CNS (Central Nervous System) damage may have abnormal posture, weakness on one side, or poor reflexes. They may need positioning, transferring, and movement assistance. To improve their comfort and capacity to perform daily, proper handling and placement strategies are essential. Both you and your patient should be aware of and adhere to as many safety precautions as possible.

Transporting your patient from one surface to another result in more serious injuries to you and them than any other aspect of medical care. Many of these injuries arise because of the employment of incorrect practices. To do tasks more quickly, you may be tempted to lift more than you should or employ improper lifting mechanics.

The following advice is given to help you prevent harm to your patient or yourself.

Body Mechanics

The human body is an extremely complicated entity. It is made up of several moving pieces, such as bones and muscle structures, which work together to allow us to bend, walk, lift, and perform a variety of other actions. Moving or bending incorrectly can cause bone and muscle damage, thus it is critical to understand how the body operates. Body mechanics is the study of how to use the body in a safe and effective manner. Good body mechanics, or the way your patient utilizes their muscles and joints, can help them avoid back issues.

The human spine's primary roles are as follows:

• Support the trunk and head

• Allow flexibility of the body

• Protect the spinal cord

The human spine is made up of 33 vertebrae (bones) piled on top of each other to form the spinal column, 24 of which are mobile. There are discs between each vertebra that act as cushions to absorb shock and allow the vertebrae to move without grinding against one another. Discs have a tough outer shell and a squishy, jelly-like interior. Discs cannot be removed, but they can rupture, allowing the jelly-like fluid to emerge. Facet joints connect neighboring vertebrae and allow them to move. Their primary role is to keep your back from moving any further than it should. Ligaments (bone-to-bone connections) and tendons (bone-to-muscle connections) connect one vertebra to the next.

The back, stomach, and buttock muscles help to stabilize the spine and maintain proper posture. Pain can occur if these muscles are stretched or strained.