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TRIGGER POINTS AND LOW BACK PAIN
Trigger points are a common, yet often overlooked cause of low back pain in dentistry. Learn key
ergonomic and exercise strategies to prevent and manage painful trigger points in the most problematic muscle that leads to low back pain in dentistry: the iliopsoas muscle.
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| Ergo-Tips |
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Rheostat Placement. Reaching repeatedly to one side for your rheostat can cause muscle imbalances that lead to low back pain. Make sure your rheostat is placed directly under your knee during procedures.
Inversion Tables. Use of an inversion table to distract the vertebrae and relax the muscles can be an effective intervention for low back pain in dental professionals. A less expensive alternative is extending over a swiss ball.
Chairside Stretching. Prolonged, static postures in dentistry can lead to painful muscle ischemia in the low back. Perform a 10-15 second stretch in the operatory every 30-45 minutes to prevent the build-up of muscular microtrauma. See more information on Chairside Stretching.
Weight Control. Excess weight can cause or worsen low back pain. Did you know that for every 10 pounds of abdominal weight you carry, it translates to 100 pounds of force to the low back?
Mental Stress. Emotional stress can cause neuromuscular hypertension, resulting in pain. Learn techniques (autogenics, progressive relaxation, etc) that specifically target muscular tension in Chapter 10 of Bethany's new book. | |
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Greetings!
October is National Ergonomics Month! In this issue, we'll address the most pervasive pain syndrome among dental professionals--low back pain. Loaded with useful prevention and management strategies, I think you'll find this issue a valuable resource for yourself and your team members. Each newsletter will feature a different 'theme' and also some brand new information not included in my book, articles or seminars. I hope you find Ergo-News interesting and helpful!
Bethany Valachi, PT, MS, CEAS
Dental Ergonomic Consultant/Lecturer/Physical therapist |
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SPECIAL BOOK EXCERPT: LOW BACK PAIN |
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Chapter 3: "Why Let Plaque be a Pain in the Back?"
from "Practice Dentistry Pain-Free: Evidence-based Strategies to Prevent Pain & Extend Your Career"
Bethany Valachi, PT, MS, CEAS
In this excerpt from Chapter 3, Bethany unravels the mystery behind low back pain in dentistry. Discover how the features and adjustment of your operator stool impact your spinal disc health. Take a closer look at how disc degeneration occurs and how your seated biomechanics can easily be adjusted to improve disc health.
Finally, you will learn the Keys to Success for Preventing Low Back Pain in the operatory. Special tips are also offered for tall operators, who tend to be more prone to low back pain.
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FREE! ONE HOUR AUDIO DOWNLOAD: "PREVENTING LOW BACK PAIN IN DENTISTRY" |
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Learn on the go! Download Bethany's one hour lecture, "Preventing Low Back Pain in Dentistry", and listen while driving, in your office or during a work out.
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EXERCISE FOR DENTAL PROFESSIONALS TO PREVENT LOW BACK PAIN |  The most recent research in low back pain shows that specific endurance exercise targeting these deep trunk stabilizing muscles: transverse abdominal, oblique, rectus, quadratus lumborum and erector spinae can most effectively treat and prevent low back pain. Dental studies consistently show that endurance training of the stabilizing muscles is more effective than strength training. To perform the above "Back Extension" exercise, rest your trunk over a ball and clasp your hands behind your head. Slowly raise your head, neck and upper back until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Slowly lower and repeat 15-20 times. Always check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise. Discover all of the essential back exercises for dental professionals to effectively prevent low back pain in "Smart Moves for Dental Professionals On the Ball" DVD kit. |
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Posturedontics, LLC was developed by a physical therapist and clinical dentist to provide dental professionals with quality, research-based ergonomic education, products and resources. We value your input and ideas for future newsletters.
Please send us your ergonomic success stories! | |
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