Backs: Elements of Back Care

No browser plug-in required to play this version.

This training provides the information needed to understand how the back works in order to avoid injuries. Topics explain how the back works, stretching and exercise, using good body mechanics, and includes a look at real world situations.

Training for all persons, including workers in an industrial or office setting.

• How the Back Works
  • America's back pain
  • The natural position of the spine
  • Reducing the risk
• Stretching and Exercise
  • The value of stretching
  • The hamstring stretch
  • The low-back stretch
  • The side stretch
  • The quad stretch
  • The value of exercise
• Body Mechanics
  • Good body mechanics
  • The basic principles of body mechanics
  • Twisting
  • When you are at greater risk of injury
• Real World Situations
  • Factors affecting the ability to lift
  • Overreaching
  • Additional techniques to avoid back injuries
  • Poor posture

• Understand how the back works.
  • Agree that 8 out of 10 American adults experience back pain some time in their lives
  • State the natural position of the spine.
  • Name the three curves of the spine.
• Recognize how back injuries occur.
  • Identify poor posture and awkward positioning as risks to back injury.
  • List the two strategies to reduce the risk of developing back injury.
• Stretch and warm up before any physical activity.
  • List the enabling learning objectives which can be assessed here.
  • List the benefits of stretching.
  • Agree to never bounce while stretching.
  • Identify a low-back stretch.
  • List stretching guidelines.
  • Agree that regular exercise helps prepare your body for physical activities required by your job.
• Use good body mechanics to prevent back injury.
  • Recall the main benefit of using good body mechanics.
  • List the basic principles of body mechanics.
  • Determine the additional weight stress caused by keeping the load away from your body.
  • Identify the dangers of twisting while lifting.
  • Choose times when you are at a greater risk of injury.
• Apply good body mechanics to real world situations.
  • List factors that affect your ability to lift and move materials safely.
  • Agree that the most difficult lift is from the floor up to the first 6 inches.
  • Select ways to avoid overreaching.
  • Choose techniques to prevent back injury.
  • List precautions to prevent back problems when sitting for a long period of time.
  • Distinguish pushing as a safer way to move an object.