More than 75 percent of adults in the United States experience back pain at some point in their lives. Low back pain is so common among dental professionals, that many have come to passively accept it as a necessary evil of their occupations.
The problem of low back pain in dentistry is a multifactorial one. However, a primary contributing factor to low back pain among dental hygienists is static, poor seated posture that directly impacts the health of the lumbar spine and musculature. Specific changes to work habits can have positive ramifications, not only for the low back, but for your entire body.
Attaining a healthy seated working posture can be surprisingly difficult for many dentists and their staff, and it can dramatically impact low back pain. It’s not at all uncommon to see these professionals slouching, perched on the edge of their stools or in other unhealthy working postures.
Passive sitting, which looks like slouching, is a common posture in the dentist office because it expends very little energy. In this posture the pelvis rolls backward causing the lumbar curve to flatten. Since nearly every curve of the spine affects the curve above or below it, the flattened low back curve causes a reciprocal forward movement of the head. Now the worker’s spine is in a C-shape, providing little support, and the body is literally hanging on the soft structures at the back of the spine. The flattened lumbar curve significantly increases the load on muscles and spinal discs. It can also stretch and permanently elongate the ligaments of the lower back, decreasing spinal stability.
Over time, ligaments and muscles may permanently stretch or shorten to adapt to a slouched working posture and hold the spine in unbalanced posture – even when the person is not at work. This is how a person’s health can literally be determined by their habits and postures at work. Muscle strains, headaches, and trigger points result from this unhealthy posturing as well as possible disc degeneration or herniation.
Remember your mother always telling you to sit up straight? While it is obvious that good posture is the key to injury prevention in dentistry, this advice is often given without context or specific instructions.
Dr. Craig’s Comments:
As you can see from this article, sitting for prolonged periods of time can be hazardous to your career and your health if you are not careful about HOW you are doing it. The secret to MASTERING your sitting habits is mainly due to your ability to answer the “7 basic questions”.
Speak up and educate others,
Dr. Craig Burns
UPCOMING EVENT!
March 23rd - April 3rd is “Healthy Back at Work – Healthy Back for Life”. Do you know someone who sits for more than 4 hours per day? Give them this newsletter. We welcome them to call us - to schedule a free 15 minute biomechanics and ergonomics consultation (free back support with every consultation).
Please, see the front desk for more details.
