People are at a high risk for injury within their home, possibly more so than in any other environment they spend time in on a regular basis.  Whether it be getting out of bed in the morning, brushing your teeth, putting on your shoes and socks, getting in and out of your car, raking the leaves, or shoveling snow, all of these activities have one common factor:  they all represent various potential mechanisms of injury that we subject ourselves to on a regular basis.

What needs to be recognized is the fact that there are proper and improper ways to complete these common, everyday tasks with minimal risk of injury.  In a previous article, ergonomic awareness was discussed as it relates to a person’s posture while completing a task.  It should also be noted that along with posture, there are proper techniques for completing tasks that optimize arm and leg strength, while minimizing risk of injury to the neck or low back.  Examples of this include proper form/technique with shoveling snow or picking up a laundry basket.

For more information about how you can incorporate proper ergonomics and mechanics into your everyday lifestyle, talk to your physical therapist today and take the hazards out of the road of life.

written by:  Sean Marshall, MPT