1. Keep C.G. low or close to the base of support by moving the feet rather than twisting and bending at the back which distributes the weight evenly in body and helps to maintain balance of body e.g. while bathing a patient's feet/legs, move from head end to foot end rather than bending the back at head end. Same principle is followed while tucking the sheets during bed making, while bathing a patient in bath tub, while giving hair wash, while emptying the urine bag and measuring the urine out-put.

Keep the work/object close to your body, to prevent unnecessary strain on the muscles of the back. This brings the C.G. of the object close to C.G. of the body e.g. bring patient close to you when doing any nursing procedure like bathing him, changing his clothes, dressing his wound etc.

2. Use major muscle groups in lifting heavy objects erg. gluteel and femoral muscles (quadriceps muscles of thighs) than weak sacro-spinous muscles of the back.

3. Avoid working against gravity because of gravitational pull, more force is required to lift an object rather than to push or pull it.

At instances patients assist in their movement.

Use mechanical devices wherever necessary.

Take assistance of others.

Use your own weight to push or pull a patient to minimize muscle energy.

4. Face the direction of force when moving a heavy object e.g. when Assisting a patient towards head end of bed, face towards head-end.

5. Make the body movement smooth and rhythmical.

6. Move the patient to the edge of the bed before he is lifted so as to keep the trunk more erect.

7. Avoid unnecessary muscle stretches, strains and stooping by arranging your work level e.g. in bed bath, elevate the bed and lower the side rails; In folding a blanket, energy is conserved if the arms are held relaxed at the sides of the body and forearms are flexed, folding the blanket with the upper extremities stretched directly out in front of the body puts an extra strain on the muscles of the back.

8. Reduce friction as it can increase the amount of effort required to move an object. Nurse can apply this principle by ensuring a firm smooth foundation for a bed before moving a patient in bed.

9. Prevent muscle fatigue as continuous muscle exertion can lead to muscle strain, so take rest periodically.

10. Wear low heels as high heels tend to throw the body forward and put extra stress on the back muscles.

11. In periods of long standing, the Nurse should shift her weight frequently and should rest one foot on a low stool which decreases lumber lordosis.

12. Avoid locking the knees when standing.

13. Squat down while keeping the back straight when it is necessary to pick something offthe floor.

Practising these protective and defensive postures, positions and body mechanics, results in natural strengthening of the back, erases the muscle strain and minimizes the chances of musculoskeletal problems of back.