Body Mechanics

• Temporomandibular Disorders: Having Good Body Mechanics

  Changing body mechanics can help you prevent or treat a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Maintain good posture. Slumping your shoulders or staying in positions in which your upper body is thrust forward (many people do this to relieve back pain)...

• Proper Back Posture (Neutral Spine)

  Improper posture may put too much stress on your back and neck. The key to good back posture is to keep the right amount of curve in your lower back. A healthy back has three natural front-to-back curves that give the spine an "S" shape. Too much...

• Headache Prevention: Posture and Body Mechanics

  Good posture and the way you move your body can help prevent tension in your neck, shoulders, and upper back muscles. If your headaches seem to be related to tension in this area, be aware of your posture and position during daily activities. This...

• Posture: Standing and Walking

  The following tips may help you stand and walk using good posture: Keep your ear, shoulder, hip, and ankle in a line. Avoid locking your knees while standing. Try placing one foot on a low stool if you must stand in one position for a long time. Switch feet every few minutes. Keep your lower back in the neutral...

• Body Mechanics

  Good body mechanics means practicing good posture throughout the day. Use good body mechanics all the time, not just when you have back pain. Keep your back in the neutral position—not too curved and not too flat. When you must stay in one position for long periods of time, take regular breaks to stretch and restore...

• Back School for Low Back Pain

  A back school is an educational program that teaches you practical information about back care, posture, body mechanics, back exercises, and how to prevent long-term back problems. Going to a back school gives you the tools for self-care, which may improve how well you manage low back pain. Back school works only as...

• Ergonomics: Exercises to Do While Sitting

  Learn seated exercises you can do at work or at home that can help you relieve stress and strain.

• Ergonomics: Setting Up Your Work Area

  Learn how your work area affects your health and safety and how to set it up.

• Ergonomics: Using Your Computer

  Get tips on how to set up and use your computer in a way that prevents aches and pains.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Few Tips for Preventing It

  Learn what movements may help cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Get tips to help prevent it and manage symptoms.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Stretches

  Learn stretches that can help you prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and manage your symptoms.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Safe Posture and Movements

  Repeated hand and wrist movements, especially if they are done in awkward positions such as with the wrist bent forward or back, can cause swelling or thickening of tissues within the carpal tunnel. The swelling makes the carpal tunnel smaller and...

• Headache Prevention: Posture and Body Mechanics

  Good posture and the way you move your body can help prevent tension in your neck, shoulders, and upper back muscles. If your headaches seem to be related to tension in this area, be aware of your posture and position during daily activities. This...

• Wrist Care: Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  Describes symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome such as tingling, numbness, or pain in the fingers, thumb, or hand that occur with pressure on the median nerve. Offers prevention tips. Offers links to more info on carpal tunnel syndrome and office ergonomics.

• Office Ergonomics

  What is ergonomics? Ergonomics (say "er-guh-NOM-iks") is the study of the kind of work you do, the environment you work in, and the tools you use to do your job. The goal of office ergonomics is to set up your office work space so that it fits you and the job you are doing. When your workstation is set up right, you...