Living Life Worthy of the Calling

Clients need assistive devices for various reasons. Before appropriately fitting a client with an assistive device it’s important to understand your client’s limitations and abilities. If your client had surgery, there are probably some limitations and we would need to follow specific protocol. For example, if your client had a hip replacement surgery, they may not be allowed to put any weight on that limb for a specific amount of time. As their therapist, we would fit them for a device that would keep them from putting weight on that limb, like crutches. It is also important to be aware of your client’s abilities when appropriately fitting them for a device.  For example, if your client has okay strength but poor balance, we would need to fit them for a device that would provide the most stable base of support, like a rolling walker. Knowing limitations and abilities allows us to fit a client appropriately. If we know how to fit a client based on their needs, we can prevent ...

Body mechanics refers to the way we move throughout our daily lives. It can involve the way we stand, sit, carry, lift, pull, bend, and sleep. When performing these activities, it’s important to know proper techniques. Teaching others proper body mechanics can help prevent back pain. When we don’t move properly, the spine Is put under abnormal stresses that can cause injury and unnecessary wear and tear. Poor body mechanics can cause ruptured, herniated, and bulging discs that can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Proper body mechanics is important for mobility. Knowing how to move properly through daily activities can decrease the risk of injury. Work related injuries can be costly to the individual and the company. Teaching individuals how to perform their task correctly, in the work place, would decrease work related injuries and their costly effects. If I am working with a client with poor body mechanics who does a lot of heavy lifting, I would first want to educate. Educati...