Back Care
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 1 Dressing: Lower Body
Cross leg tailor fashion to start clothing over foot. May use dressing aids to assist in pulling up. Keep back in neutral position. Avoid arching back or bending. BACK CARE - 2 Bathing Place all items within easy reach to avoid bending and twisting. Use long-handled brush to soap and hand-held shower to rinse off. Step on non-skid floor mat to dry feet off.
Make sure that tub or shower has non-skid bottom, or use rubber mat to avoid slipping. Safety bars are also recommended. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 1 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 3 Grooming: Shaving Legs
Lie on supportive surface, large towel over area. Bring leg toward chest, keeping other leg in position shown. Do not arch back. BACK CARE - 4 Sleeping on Back
Place pillow under knees. A Pillow with cervical support and a roll around waist are also helpful. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 2 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 5 Side-Lying in Bed
To maintain positioning in midline, place pillows between knees and under head. BACK CARE - 6 Home Management: Loading / Unloading Dishwasher
Move dishes in small stacks. Bend your knees, not your back.
For small items, rest arm on counter, opposite leg back.
Stay close to side when sliding shelves. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 3 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 7 Kitchen Sink Height
If unable to touch the bottom of your sink while standing straight, place a dish drainer upside down to raise height of sink surface. BACK CARE - 8 Making Bed Place bed in an area where you can reach all corners without straining. Keep back straight, especially when tucking under corners.
Use extra depth, fitted sheets to avoid tucking. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 4 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 9 Work: Develop Good Habits
Bend knees, not back, when placing items on table surface or refrigerator. Practice this technique until it becomes your new habit. BACK CARE - 10 Gardening
Kneel using well padded cushion to get as close to work as possible. Raised beds allow for back to remain straight. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 5 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 11 Work / Leisure: Wheelbarrow
With one foot slightly forward, bend knees, NOT your back, to pick up or set down. Keep back erect when pushing forward. BACK CARE - 12 Child Care: Changing
Avoid bending over child. Keep back straight. Use changing table whenever possible. Have older child crawl up to lap to dress. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 6 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 13 Child Care: Bathing
Avoid bending over child. Keep back straight. Consider using kitchen counter and sink for quick clean up.
CAUTION: Do not leave child unattended. BACK CARE - 14 Child Care: Pick Up and Carry
Squat down to pick up child, do not bend back. Carry child in cuddle position, avoid resting on one hip. Select stroller that allows you to remain upright when pushing. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 7 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 15 Child Care: Back Carrier
Bend knees and avoid twisting to put on shoulder straps. Straighten knees and keep stomach muscles pulled in to lift carrier off table. BACK CARE - 16 Travel Luggage Select suitcase with wheels. Pack lightly. Avoid lifting heavy luggage into overhead compartments.
Use curbside check-in if available. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 8 of 8
CHART COPY
Routine For: Created By:
BACK CARE - 1 Dressing: Lower Body
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 2 Bathing
BACK CARE - 3 Grooming: Shaving Legs
Place all items within easy reach to avoid bending and twisting. Cross leg tailor fashion to start clothing over foot. May use dressing aids to assist in pulling up.
Use long-handled brush to soap and hand-held shower to rinse off. Step on non-skid floor mat to dry feet off.
Keep back in neutral position. Avoid arching back or bending.
Make sure that tub or shower has non-skid bottom, or use rubber mat to avoid slipping. Safety bars are also recommended.
Lie on supportive surface, large towel over area.
BACK CARE - 4 Sleeping on Back
BACK CARE - 5 Side-Lying in Bed
BACK CARE - 6 Home Management: Loading / Unloading Dishwasher
Bring leg toward chest, keeping other leg in position shown. Do not arch back.
Move dishes in small stacks. Bend your knees, not your back.
For small items, rest arm on counter, opposite leg back.
Place pillow under knees. A Pillow with cervical support and a roll around waist are also helpful.
BACK CARE - 7 Kitchen Sink Height
To maintain positioning in midline, place pillows between knees and under head.
Stay close to side when sliding shelves.
BACK CARE - 8 Making Bed
BACK CARE - 9 Work: Develop Good Habits
Place bed in an area where you can reach all corners without straining. Keep back straight, especially when tucking under corners. If unable to touch the bottom of your sink while standing straight, place a dish drainer upside down to raise height of sink surface.
Use extra depth, fitted sheets to avoid tucking.
Bend knees, not back, when placing items on table surface or refrigerator.
BACK CARE - 10 Gardening
BACK CARE - 11 Work / Leisure: Wheelbarrow
BACK CARE - 12 Child Care: Changing
With one foot slightly forward, bend knees, NOT your back, to pick up or set down.
Use changing table whenever possible.
Keep back erect when pushing forward.
Have older child crawl up to lap to dress.
Kneel using well padded cushion to get as close to work as possible. Raised beds allow for back to remain straight.
Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Practice this technique until it becomes your new habit.
Avoid bending over child. Keep back straight.
Page 1 of 2
CHART COPY
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 13 Child Care: Bathing
BACK CARE - 14 Child Care: Pick Up and Carry
Avoid bending over child. Keep back straight.
Squat down to pick up child, do not bend back.
Consider using kitchen counter and sink for quick clean up.
Carry child in cuddle position, avoid resting on one hip.
CAUTION: Do not leave child unattended.
Select stroller that allows you to remain upright when pushing.
BACK CARE - 15 Child Care: Back Carrier
Bend knees and avoid twisting to put on shoulder straps. Straighten knees and keep stomach muscles pulled in to lift carrier off table.
BACK CARE - 16 Travel Luggage Select suitcase with wheels. Pack lightly. Avoid lifting heavy luggage into overhead compartments.
Use curbside check-in if available.
COMMENTS: ADL Adaptations Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 2 of 2
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 1 Dressing: Lower Body
Cross leg tailor fashion to start clothing over foot. May use dressing aids to assist in pulling up. Keep back in neutral position. Avoid arching back or bending. BACK CARE - 2 Bathing Place all items within easy reach to avoid bending and twisting. Use long-handled brush to soap and hand-held shower to rinse off. Step on non-skid floor mat to dry feet off.
Make sure that tub or shower has non-skid bottom, or use rubber mat to avoid slipping. Safety bars are also recommended. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 1 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 3 Grooming: Shaving Legs
Lie on supportive surface, large towel over area. Bring leg toward chest, keeping other leg in position shown. Do not arch back. BACK CARE - 4 Sleeping on Back
Place pillow under knees. A Pillow with cervical support and a roll around waist are also helpful. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 2 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 5 Side-Lying in Bed
To maintain positioning in midline, place pillows between knees and under head. BACK CARE - 6 Home Management: Loading / Unloading Dishwasher
Move dishes in small stacks. Bend your knees, not your back.
For small items, rest arm on counter, opposite leg back.
Stay close to side when sliding shelves. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 3 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 7 Kitchen Sink Height
If unable to touch the bottom of your sink while standing straight, place a dish drainer upside down to raise height of sink surface. BACK CARE - 8 Making Bed Place bed in an area where you can reach all corners without straining. Keep back straight, especially when tucking under corners.
Use extra depth, fitted sheets to avoid tucking. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 4 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 9 Work: Develop Good Habits
Bend knees, not back, when placing items on table surface or refrigerator. Practice this technique until it becomes your new habit. BACK CARE - 10 Gardening
Kneel using well padded cushion to get as close to work as possible. Raised beds allow for back to remain straight. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 5 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 11 Work / Leisure: Wheelbarrow
With one foot slightly forward, bend knees, NOT your back, to pick up or set down. Keep back erect when pushing forward. BACK CARE - 12 Child Care: Changing
Avoid bending over child. Keep back straight. Use changing table whenever possible. Have older child crawl up to lap to dress. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 6 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 13 Child Care: Bathing
Avoid bending over child. Keep back straight. Consider using kitchen counter and sink for quick clean up.
CAUTION: Do not leave child unattended. BACK CARE - 14 Child Care: Pick Up and Carry
Squat down to pick up child, do not bend back. Carry child in cuddle position, avoid resting on one hip. Select stroller that allows you to remain upright when pushing. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 7 of 8
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 15 Child Care: Back Carrier
Bend knees and avoid twisting to put on shoulder straps. Straighten knees and keep stomach muscles pulled in to lift carrier off table. BACK CARE - 16 Travel Luggage Select suitcase with wheels. Pack lightly. Avoid lifting heavy luggage into overhead compartments.
Use curbside check-in if available. Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 8 of 8
CHART COPY
Routine For: Created By:
BACK CARE - 1 Dressing: Lower Body
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 2 Bathing
BACK CARE - 3 Grooming: Shaving Legs
Place all items within easy reach to avoid bending and twisting. Cross leg tailor fashion to start clothing over foot. May use dressing aids to assist in pulling up.
Use long-handled brush to soap and hand-held shower to rinse off. Step on non-skid floor mat to dry feet off.
Keep back in neutral position. Avoid arching back or bending.
Make sure that tub or shower has non-skid bottom, or use rubber mat to avoid slipping. Safety bars are also recommended.
Lie on supportive surface, large towel over area.
BACK CARE - 4 Sleeping on Back
BACK CARE - 5 Side-Lying in Bed
BACK CARE - 6 Home Management: Loading / Unloading Dishwasher
Bring leg toward chest, keeping other leg in position shown. Do not arch back.
Move dishes in small stacks. Bend your knees, not your back.
For small items, rest arm on counter, opposite leg back.
Place pillow under knees. A Pillow with cervical support and a roll around waist are also helpful.
BACK CARE - 7 Kitchen Sink Height
To maintain positioning in midline, place pillows between knees and under head.
Stay close to side when sliding shelves.
BACK CARE - 8 Making Bed
BACK CARE - 9 Work: Develop Good Habits
Place bed in an area where you can reach all corners without straining. Keep back straight, especially when tucking under corners. If unable to touch the bottom of your sink while standing straight, place a dish drainer upside down to raise height of sink surface.
Use extra depth, fitted sheets to avoid tucking.
Bend knees, not back, when placing items on table surface or refrigerator.
BACK CARE - 10 Gardening
BACK CARE - 11 Work / Leisure: Wheelbarrow
BACK CARE - 12 Child Care: Changing
With one foot slightly forward, bend knees, NOT your back, to pick up or set down.
Use changing table whenever possible.
Keep back erect when pushing forward.
Have older child crawl up to lap to dress.
Kneel using well padded cushion to get as close to work as possible. Raised beds allow for back to remain straight.
Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Practice this technique until it becomes your new habit.
Avoid bending over child. Keep back straight.
Page 1 of 2
CHART COPY
Routine For: Created By:
OT ADL Adaptations - Back Care
BACK CARE - 13 Child Care: Bathing
BACK CARE - 14 Child Care: Pick Up and Carry
Avoid bending over child. Keep back straight.
Squat down to pick up child, do not bend back.
Consider using kitchen counter and sink for quick clean up.
Carry child in cuddle position, avoid resting on one hip.
CAUTION: Do not leave child unattended.
Select stroller that allows you to remain upright when pushing.
BACK CARE - 15 Child Care: Back Carrier
Bend knees and avoid twisting to put on shoulder straps. Straighten knees and keep stomach muscles pulled in to lift carrier off table.
BACK CARE - 16 Travel Luggage Select suitcase with wheels. Pack lightly. Avoid lifting heavy luggage into overhead compartments.
Use curbside check-in if available.
COMMENTS: ADL Adaptations Copyright © 1999-2010, VHI
Page 2 of 2
