F.B. is a triathlete with an athletically toned body, yet within a month after starting her work as a dental assistant she developed soreness in her upper thoracic spine also suffered from fatigue. At the time she worked much of the time in a standing position and also used a conventional work stool. The long periods of standing work contributed to her fatigue, while her neck symptoms were brought on by her static work in poor posture.

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. now performs 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 their 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 a 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 an upright pelvis and feels she can control its position. She also feels that her fatigue level at the end of the day is less. She believes that the Bambach Saddle Seat 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.

Before and after images

BEFORE: Using a conventional dental stool

On a conventional dentist's stool, F.B.'s back is in a 'C' position in spite of her high level of fitness. Her feet are constrained with her heels hooked into chair's footring in order to stabilize her position on the flat seat. Her pelvis is rotated backward.

AFTER: Using the Bambach Saddle Seat

On a Bambach Saddle Seat, F.B.'s lumbar spine in its natural lordosis. Her pelvis is now upright and stable. Her feet are in plantar contact with her legs abducted (wide stance) for normal lower limb tone and improved stability and balance.