Last week I was at a concert (how on earth is she going to relate this to anatomy?)
Whilst the way in which we hear is fascinating and complex, I actually wanted to talk about public engagement and getting your message across.
We have all heard the message about how you should lift with your legs, keep your back straight and bend at the knees and hips. It must be one of the most prominent messages about people’s anatomy, and yet, does anyone ever listen to it?
I watched as the young people cleared away the instruments. This included lifting several heavy percussion instruments onto a stage that was about three foot high. One of the lifts involved 8 people.
The kid at the left hand end was the only one that I saw keeping a straight back and lifting as instructed. (This is because he has had anatomy forced upon him at home)
Some of the lifting techniques being displayed were truly wince inducing and I’m sure they will be making physical therapists wealthy for a long time to come.
Why are we so bad at taking in messages that are meant to do us good?
It is the eternal battle of public engagement. Engage without preaching. Make what ever it is fun and relevant.
Anatomy should be so easy to make relevant – we all have it.
As we enter the International Science Festival I wonder if we will be able to get our message across any better than those people who deliver manual handling courses.
anatomyfundamentals.com 