"Your Hips Are Like Headlights On A Car"

"Your Hips Are Like Headlights On A Car"

 

 

When teaching a client about proper body mechanics and lifting techniques, a good visual cue is to tell them that their hips are like  headlights on a car. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To safely drive at night, you must point the car's headlights in the direction that you want to go.  Functionally, to safely lift or reach, you must point your hip bones in the direction of the activity.  This spares the spine by minimizing lumbar rotation/twisting while bending/lifting.

 

Here, the hips are pointed to the right, while his bending/lifting activity is to his left

 

As she turns to the right, she pivots on her feet and moves as a 'whole,' squaring-off her hips in the direction of her action

Take home message: 
Always "square-off" your hips in the direction of your action.  Do not twist and lift from the left or right with your hips pointing in a different direction.
 

 For more on Posture & Body Mechanics, go to: Posture & Body Mechanics DVD for over 80 minutes of education videos