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How does the AnterioRest work?
Will the Anteriorest get in the way?
Have people gotten relief using the AnterioRest?
Why do I have back pain?
What if I don’t have back pain?
I would like to stand when performing extractions and other procedures. Will the AnterioRest work in that position?
What can the AnterioRest do for an existing dentistry-related back problem?
Who designed the AnterioRest?
What if my chair make and model are not listed on the configuration page?
How does the AnterioRest work?
The AnterioRest works on the same principle as your recliner. Your favorite chair supports you in your position of choice—reclining. Without the back on your chair your front (abdominal) muscles would soon tire in this reclined position. In your practice, you work in an inclined position. This position requires muscle effort to sustain. The AnterioRest supports you in this forward lean position, without the effort. The AnterioRest supports you in your most practical position of choice— leaning toward your patient. While supported in this position your back muscles actually get to rest— unusual for a working position unless you are supported.
Research shows that both muscle activity and low back disc pressure increase with a forward lean position. This leads to a number of back dysfunctions— not to mention the pain and potential disability both at work and in personal/recreational activities. Research also shows however, that low back muscle activity and disc pressure decreases when the trunk is supported from the front in this forward lean position. With decreased muscle activity there is an increase in blood supply to the tissue (decreased ischemia) leading to a healthier more comfortable back.
You wouldn’t sit back in your recliner without the back of the chair supporting you—why lean forward all day without support?
Will the Anteriorest get in the way?
Some users have noted it took them 1-2 weeks to find a “home position.” A few practice with the device mainly in this home position while others change the device position frequently. This is made especially easy with the new single point adjustment, allowing virtually unlimited positioning in all planes simultaneously. The position and adjustability of the device have been specifically designed to provide support “up close.” The AnterioRest is beneficial for support in sitting as well as standing treatment positions.
Have people gotten relief using the AnterioRest?
Because the AnterioRest effectively addresses the root cause of back pain in dentistry, notable improvement and even elimination of symptoms/fatigue is more the norm than the exception. One client who was going to “try to make it 1 to 2 more years” and then retire due to back pain no longer has retirement plans. Another stated he never did have back pain but now he isn’t tired any more at the end of his work day. Still another stated, “I have feeling back in my thumb and fingers again. My back feels better now and I no longer feel that this was something I had to just live with.”
The AnterioRest provides support and muscle relief to rest the tissue and allow healing. As blood flow is normalized with the support, fatigue is eliminated, decreasing or eliminating pain and paresthesias (numbness and tingling) in the back and extremities.
Why do I have back pain?
In treating orthopedic patients many of whom are dental practitioners, there are multiple possibilities for the etiology of back pain. Disc pressure or degeneration, joint problems, muscle and soft tissue issues to name a few. In my experience muscle overuse problems have easily been the major if not core issue in all cases of dental-related back pain. Muscle overuse is a problem in all situations where sustaining a position is necessary, even if that position is a “good” posture. Even a minimal muscle effort is problematic if held for more than 4 minutes, according to one researcher.
In dentistry, the forward lean position is the most desirable and practical position of treatment. The position itself is not a problem as it is well within the normal physiological movement of the spine. The challenge comes with sustaining the position. The constant muscle contraction results in an increase in pressure within the muscle, compressing vessels and impeding the flow of blood (oxygen and nutrients) to the tissue. In a matter of minutes muscle fatigue occurs. No different than if you raised your arm overhead. Not a difficult task, but try to keep it there for an extended period. This would be difficult due to the fatigue and discomfort you would feel. Put your arm down and you would begin to experience immediate relief. This is due to the normalization of blood flow to the area. Muscle tissue requires ongoing blood flow to do work. This occurs in “normal” work involving movement as the normal contract-relax of muscle tissue actually enhances the flow of fluid through the area.
In dentistry, as in some other professions, constant movement of the body is not practical. An effective alternative is to support the practitioner in their desired position of treatment, eliminating the need for muscle effort. The treatment/working position then actually becomes a resting position. This not only requires much less effort during the workday, it allows tissue to heal from previous abuse, a result we have seen with many users of the AnterioRest.
What if I don’t have back pain?
Statistics show that the majority of all dental practitioners will experience back pain, many by the third year of dental school. As with any problem, prevention is always easier than the cure. The AnterioRest will provide a resting state for back muscles whether they have been previously irritated or not. Research shows the cascade of events leading to tissue damage and pain begins long before symptoms are noted. You will be able to maintain healthy tissue and substantially decrease the likelihood of pain/dysfunction by making your working position less effortful from the start. After all, the goal for all of us is to be pain free at work and leisure, enjoying our lives to the fullest.
I would like to stand when performing extractions and other procedures. Will the AnterioRest work in that position?
The AnterioRest is an asset to the practitioner both in the standing and sitting treatment positions. In a standing position, the AnterioRest is not only a resting device, but acts as a stabilization device for the upper body. Because the AnterioRest is fully adjustable in all planes. It is thoroughly adaptable to differing treatment positions and personal techniques.
What can the AnterioRest do for an existing dentistry-related back problem?
Because most of dentistry–related back pain is due to muscle over-use, the AnterioRest is the exact antidote for that dysfunction. The constant muscle contraction that occurs in the back with a forward leaning position impedes normal blood flow throughout the tissue causing pain and inflammation. The AnterioRest supports the body of the practitioner in the functional treatment position, allowing blood/nutrient flow to increase to muscle tissue. This reverses the chain of events that leads to tissue ischema and increased disc pressure, alleviating pain, numbness, tingling, weakness and a return to normal tissue health.
The continued use of the AnterioRest will facilitate on-going healing and assist in prevention of future dysfunction.
Who designed the AnterioRest?
The AnterioRest was designed by Kurt Klemm PT, Cert. MDT, a practicing orthopedic physical therapist certified in spine care. After years of treating spine patients, including many who had ergonomic challenges at their workplace, Mr. Klemm realized the predicament of the dental practitioner— a job where an unsupported forward leaning position is the norm and back pain is actually expected and accepted as “part of the job”. Over the years Kurt has seen numerous dentists and hygienists for back treatment and recognized the need in the profession for a change in the ergonomics of the dental workplace. The development process ensued and all who have utilized the AnterioRest have been greatly pleased with the positive results.
What if my chair make and model are not listed on the configuration page?
Mounting systems are available for most treatment chairs manufactured during the last decade. For chairs manufactured prior to 1995, we offer a universal mounting system, which can be configured to fit most other models.
For more information on the universal mounting system, download this PDF document.
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