"This article provides a review of the biomechanics literature on the low back and upper extremities. Biomechanics is the study of forces acting on and generated within the body and of the effects of these forces on the tissues, fluids, or materials used for diagnosis, treatment, or research purposes. The discussion begins with an overview of basic concepts and methods. This is followed by the two literature reviews. The study selection criteria are presented at the beginning of each review. The two bodies of literature differ in maturity; the research on the low back is more substantial. The number of studies reviewed is 196 for the low back and 109 for the upper extremities. While there are certainly individual factors that put a person at risk for back pain, overall, this body of literature indicates that back pain can be related to excessive mechanical loading of the spine that can be expected in the workplace. The literature also indicates that appropriate reduction of work exposure can decrease the risk of low back disorder. Hence, it is clear, from a biomechanical perspective, that exposure to excessive amounts of physical loading can increase the risk of low back disorder."

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