Dental Assistant: Fatigue, pain in thoracic
Spine
Symptoms
F.B. experienced soreness in her upper thoracic spine (from
standing) one month after starting her work. She also suffered from
fatigue. F.B. is a triathlete with an athletically toned body, so
the static position of her work is the likely cause of her
symptoms.
Introduction to the Saddle Seat
As soon as her employer became aware of F.B's symptoms of pain and
fatigue in her thoracic spine, he provided her with a Bambach
Saddle Seat and instructed her on how to adjust the seat to improve
her posture for her work. F.B. can now perform much of her work
sitting down. She wears trousers or a full skirt for comfort on the
seat. F.B. said she liked the look of the Bambach Saddle Seat from
the start and understood the principles of good bio-mechanics from
her study of nursing. The surgeon with whom she works also has a
Bambach Saddle Seat.
As soon as her employer became aware of F.B's symptoms of pain
and fatigue in her thoracic spine, he provided her with a Bambach
Saddle Seat and instructed her on how to adjust the seat to improve
her posture for her work. F.B. can now perform much of her work
sitting down. She wears trousers or a full skirt for comfort on the
seat. F.B. said she liked the look of the Bambach Saddle Seat from
the start and understood the principles of good bio-mechanics from
her study of nursing. The surgeon with whom she works also has a
Bambach Saddle Seat.
Both seats need to be adjusted to work together, as close
coordination between surgeon and assistant is needed to maintain
optimum operating posture and position. F.B. has a standard model
with foot operated height adjuster and no back.
Result
F.B. reports that the seat is comfortable, that her position on the
seat keeps her back straight rather than 'hunched over'. She likes
the idea that she has a straight pelvis and can feel that she can
control its position. She also feels that her fatigue level at the
end of the day is less. She believes that it has helped relieve the
symptoms of pain in her thoracic spine. The Bambach Saddle Seat is
part of her planned regime to maintain a high level of fitness and
good health.
