1. Health and Body
Mechanics
Jessica Brown, Chelsea Zemmin, Petr Honek,
Kelly Moberly, SDPTs

2. WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
•Physical Therapy Students from
University of Colorado- Anschutz
•Physical therapists receive a medically
based knowledge that focuses on
prevention, remediation and compensation.
We focus on improving quality of life
through movement.

3. TODAY
•Basic body systems overview
–Bones
–Muscles
–Heart
•Basics of nutrition and health
•Biomechanics (the way you move) for work
environments

4. BODY SYSTEMS
• Skeletal (bones)

5. BODY SYSTEMS
• Skeletal (bones)
–Osteoporosis- increased
risk for bone fractures
–Prevention:
• Diet
• Physical activity

6. BODY SYSTEMS
• Muscular
–Decrease in size and
strength
–Prevention:
• Physical activity

7. BODY SYSTEMS
• Circulatory (heart)
–Decreased heart function
(not able to get blood to
where it needs to go)
–Diseases of the heart are
widespread throughout the
body
–Prevention:
• Physical Activity

8. NUTRITION

9. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

10. YOUR SPINE
• Supports your body weight.
• Protects your spinal cord.
• Surrounded by muscles.
• Parts of the spine:
–Vertebrae
–Discs
–Spinal nerves
–3 sections: Cervical, Thoracic, and
Lumbar

11. HOW TO KEEP YOUR SPINE SAFE
•4 out of 5 people will have back pain at some
point in their lives.
•Back pain may be caused many different
ways.
–Sudden injuries
–Slow-onset injuries
•We will teach you ways to minimize your risk
for back injury at home and at work.

12. STANDING
• Stand tall and confident
• Hold your chest forward.
• Put your shoulders back
• Tuck your stomach in
• Slightly bend your knees
• Bear your weight mostly
on the balls of your feet

13. How can you improve your
standing posture at work?

14. REACHING OVERHEAD
• Have wide base of
support.
• Do not be on your tip
toes.
• Use a platform for
controlled reaching

15. SITTING
• Sit all the way back in a firm-
back chair.
• Keep your upper body straight
and relax your shoulders.
• Keep your arms parallel to the
ground
• Do not bend over the table.
• Do not slouch in your chair.
• Put a towel under your rear
bottom to make it easy.

16. LIFTING
• DO NOT:
–Bend.
–Twist.
–Reach out with weight.
• DO:
–Wide stance.
–Bend your knees.
–Use your legs to lift.
–Keep your back straight.
–Use your stomach muscles.
–Keep the load close to your body
• Size up the load & communicate

17. SLEEPING
• Side sleeping is the best
for your back; if you have
a firm mattress.
• Belly sleepers put a
small pillow under your
belly.
• Back sleepers, put a
pillow under your knees.
• For all of us: use a firm
mattress if possible.

18. MORE TIPS
• If you feel your back hurting, stop doing what makes it
hurt. Fix the problem.
– If this happens at work, tell your employer.
• Ask for help when lifting heavy things.
• Teach your friends, family, and co-workers.
• Store heavy things between knee and shoulder height.
• Be aware of surroundings
• STAY HEALTHY!!!!
– Eat well
– Excercise

19. QUESTIONS?