What is Safe Patient Handling Awareness Month?
Safe Patient Handling (SPH) Awareness Month, observed every April, highlights the importance of reducing employee overexertion injuries and enhancing patient handling practices. This initiative promotes safer work environments while improving the overall quality of patient care.
Here’s How You Can Participate:
Springbrook’s wellness initiative promotes physical well-being by encouraging staff to incorporate movement and stretching into their daily routines. Throughout April, the therapy team will demonstrate a new stretch each week designed to support flexibility, reduce tension, and enhance overall wellness. Each stretch will be featured on Dayforce with visual examples and detailed instructions, making it easy for staff to follow along and integrate these exercises into their day.
Here’s How You Can Win:
By completing each stretch throughout April, you will gain knowledge about how your body moves and stretches. At the end of the month, you can access an SPHM quiz to assess what you have learned by completing the stretches. Each person who passes the quiz will be entered into a raffle for one of the following gift cards. Stay tuned for the quiz in the week 4 stretches email!
$25 Dunkin’ Donuts Gift Card
$25 Amazon Gift Card
$25 TJ Maxx Gift Card
$25 Visa Gift Card
To learn more about Safe Patient Handling Month, click the buttons below to access more resources.
Week One: Hamstring Stretch
For SPHM Month, the first stretch will focus on the hamstring stretch.
AS WILL ALL STRETCHING, DO NOT PUSH TO THE POINT OF PAIN. MAKE SURE NOT TO HOLD YOUR BREATH THROUGHOUT STRETCHING.
Setup
Begin sitting upright in a chair with one leg straight forward and your heel resting on the ground. You might need to scoot forward toward the edge of your chair.
Movement
Bend your trunk forward, hinging at your hips, until you feel a stretch in the back of your leg. Hold this position.
Tip
Make sure to keep your knee straight during the stretch and do not let your back arch or slump.
Week Two: Figure Four Stretch
For SPHM Month, the second stretch will focus on the piriformis stretch.
Setup
Begin sitting upright in a chair with both feet on the ground. Bring the ankle of one leg up onto the knee of your opposite leg.
Movement
Apply gentle pressure with one hand on the top of your bent knee, and lean forward until you feel a stretch in your buttocks. Relax, then repeat.
Tip
Make sure to keep your shoulders relaxed and back straight during the exercise.
Week Three: Doorway Pec Stretch
For SPHM Month, the third stretch will focus on the doorway pec stretch at 90-degree abduction.
Setup
Begin in a standing upright position in the center of a doorway.
Movement
With your elbows bent, place your forearms on the sides of the doorway at a 90-degree angle from your sides, then take a small step forward until you feel a stretch in the front of your shoulders. Hold this position.
Tip
Make sure to maintain a gentle stretch and do not shrug your shoulders during the exercise.
Week Four: Child’s Pose/Sun Salutation
For SPHM Month, the fourth stretch will focus on the Child’s Pose and Sun Salutation stretch.
Setup
Begin on all fours.
Movement
- Sit your hips back while reaching your arms overhead and lowering your chest to the ground. This is Child’s Pose. Hold this position for 30 seconds.
- Then, rock forward and lie on your stomach with your hands by your shoulders, resting flat on the ground.
- Push up against the floor with your hands, bending your back upward. This is the Sun Salutation. Hold for 30 seconds.
- Return to all fours and begin the next repetition.
Tip
- During Child’s Pose, make sure to relax into the pose and try to sit your bottom back to your heels as much as possible.
- During Sun Salutation, make sure to keep your hips in contact with the floor and maintain a gentle chin tuck throughout the exercise.
Have Questions? Email the Therapy Office at the Button Below.
Or Call 607-353-7272 X 2812