A therapist is planning a patient education program for a group of patients with chronic LBP. To increase the likelihood that the patients will utilize the proper body mechanics at the work site, the therapist should:

A therapist is planning a patient education program for a group of patients with chronic LBP. To increase the likelihood that the patients will utilize the proper body mechanics at the work site, the therapist should:

• A. ask patients to demonstrate the use of proper body mechanics
• B. provide a reference list of articles describing body mechanics
• C. ask patients to describe actions they do that increase their back pain
• D. provide information on the frequency of low back injuries due to improper body mechanics

Answer: (A)

Teaching through demonstration gives patients a precise, observable model of how to move, lift, and stabilize the spine, and it sets up a clear target for practice. When patients watch the correct mechanics and then practice with the therapist guiding them and giving immediate feedback, they build the motor memory and confidence needed to apply those movements on the job. This active, hands-on learning approach is more effective for changing behavior and ensuring transfer to real work tasks than passive information alone. Providing articles, asking patients to describe pain-causing actions, or sharing injury statistics may inform or raise awareness, but they don't provide the skill rehearsal and real-time feedback necessary to actually adopt proper body mechanics at work.

Teaching through demonstration gives patients a precise, observable model of how to move, lift, and stabilize the spine, and it sets up a clear target for practice. When patients watch the correct mechanics and then practice with the therapist guiding them and giving immediate feedback, they build the motor memory and confidence needed to apply those movements on the job. This active, hands-on learning approach is more effective for changing behavior and ensuring transfer to real work tasks than passive information alone. Providing articles, asking patients to describe pain-causing actions, or sharing injury statistics may inform or raise awareness, but they don't provide the skill rehearsal and real-time feedback necessary to actually adopt proper body mechanics at work.