When incorporated into activities of daily living, body mechanics help decrease the amount of stress on the spine. Education in body mechanics is therefore, essential in preventing the occurence of back pain. The goal of body mechanics is to learn how to move the body so as to prevent further injury to the spine. Awareness of common mistakes and proper principles can only help to achieve this goal. One such principle concerns posture.
Poor posture is one of the main causes of neck and back injuries.
Forward head position and rounded shoulders contribute to poor posture. Any desk or computer employee has probably been guilty of poor posture at some point in their career and can attest to the fact that it's a hard habit to break. Fortunately, there are a few simple exercises that can help. The chin tuck or, cervical retraction, involves sitting or standing erect while gently pulling your chin back to a comfortable position. Think of a turtle bringing his head back into his shell.