Ergonomics is not merely a matter of comfort; it is essential for the long-term health and well-being of healthcare professionals.
May marks Víttrea’s ‘Ergonomics Month’ — a time to reflect on the importance of maintaining healthy posture throughout long hours in clinic or during surgical procedures.
In this article, we explore the impact of good postural habits on clinical ergonomics and how Ergo, along with the newly launched Ergo V™ loupes, serve as indispensable tools in supporting proper posture.
The importance of Ergonomics for healthcare professionals
Ergonomics is the science of adapting the work environment to suit the capabilities and needs of each individual professional.
In the healthcare field, proper ergonomics helps prevent musculoskeletal disorders, enhances clinical outcomes, and, most importantly, supports the wellbeing of dentists and surgeons throughout their working day.
Below are several reasons why ergonomics is essential:
- Prevention of musculoskeletal injuries
- Promotion of sustainable long-term clinical practice
- Reduction of the risk of pain and injury
- Contribution to the longevity of one’s professional career
However, many professionals are not fully informed about the basic principles of ergonomics or how to apply them in their working environment. As a result, harmful habits may be adopted, negatively impacting their long-term health and wellbeing.
There are two particularly common detrimental habits that affect practitioners on a daily basis:
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Leaning to one side:
Rather than asking patients to adjust their position or repositioning equipment, some professionals tend to lean to one side. This repeated or prolonged leaning can place strain on the back, leading to discomfort and even injury.
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Inadequate working distance:
When the working distance is not optimal, the patient chair may be poorly positioned, forcing clinicians into awkward postures. This may include trapping the legs beneath the chair, compelling the practitioner to adopt non-ergonomic positions that significantly increase the risk of long-term injury. .
The head is connected to the spine via the atlanto-occipital joint, which is designed to facilitate upward and downward movement. Any additional tilting involves other cervical joints, thereby increasing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
Moreover, static postures commonly maintained by healthcare professionals can lead to spinal pathologies. Positions that place pressure on the intervertebral discs, combined with prolonged hypomobility, further heighten the risk of injury.
How Ergo Technology can improve ergonomics
Víttrea’s Ergo loupes were the first fully ergonomic loupes on the Spanish market, offering an innovative solution to improve posture and reduce muscular strain among healthcare professionals.
More recently, we have once again led the way by introducing the Ergo V™ loupes — the world’s first ergonomic loupes with variable magnification, offering three levels of magnification in a single device (an innovation by Admetec).
These loupes enable clinicians to maintain an upright posture, look straight ahead, and clearly view the patient’s treatment area without the need to bend the neck. This helps prevent musculoskeletal injuries and supports a more sustainable clinical practice.
Following years of research and development, Ergo loupes have become the benchmark for ergonomic excellence, offering a unique combination of comfort, optical quality, and durability.
Professor Piancino, Associate Chair at the Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, C.I.R. Dental School, University of Turin, Italy, has conducted research into the benefits of Ergo loupes in reducing neuromuscular strain — a critical factor, as asymmetric muscle activation can lead to short-term pain and long-term injury.
The study found that Ergo loupes reduce asymmetric muscle activation when compared to conventional TTL loupes, thereby promoting a more upright working posture and helping to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare professionals. This ultimately supports the longevity of their careers.
Benefits of Ergo and Ergo V™ loupes for health
The health benefits of our Ergo and Ergo V™ loupes go beyond simply improving posture. They help reduce muscular strain and distribute the load on the spine more evenly. This not only enhances the clinician’s physical comfort, but also improves focus and precision during procedures.
With this in mind, we offer the following recommendations:
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The importance of ergonomics in clinical practice
It is essential for healthcare professionals to understand the basic principles of ergonomics and to use tools such as Ergo loupes to optimise their clinical performance.
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Key considerations when choosing your loupes
When selecting loupes, it is important to consider factors such as weight, declination angle, and optical quality to ensure maximum comfort and effectiveness.
Víttrea’s Ergo loupes offer a magnification range from 3X to 10X and remain extremely lightweight, even at maximum magnification. With a 65° declination angle, these loupes compensate for head tilt and reduce cervical spinal load during long working hours.
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Injury prevention and ergonomic improvement
It is crucial to understand that, without loupes, neck flexion can reach up to 45°, increasing the load on the neck to as much as 22 kg and leading to premature wear of the intervertebral discs.
Using Ergo loupes helps maintain an ergonomic posture and plays a key role in preventing such injuries.
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Promotion healthy posture
It is also important to understand how different working positions affect neck inclination and spinal load. Ergo loupes encourage a neutral head position, making it easier for professionals to maintain an ergonomic posture throughout clinical work.
In addition, clinicians are advised to adopt healthy postural habits, such as taking regular breaks, performing stretching exercises, and maintaining an upright posture throughout the working day.
Víttrea client testimonials
Víttrea’s Ergo loupes have stood out as an innovative solution for improving ergonomics across various medical specialties.
Dr Pedro Hernández, a specialist in hand surgery, shares his experience:
“The Ergo loupes have provided me with numerous advantages. Previously, I used straight loupes that forced me to operate with my neck in an uncomfortable position. This often resulted in frequent cervical pain, radiculopathy, and even cervicobrachialgia, which was quite troublesome. However, since I started using the Ergo loupes, the change has been remarkable. These loupes allow me to keep my cervical spine straight; they are incredibly lightweight and add no additional strain. I’ve noticed a significant reduction in fatigue and a marked improvement in neck pain.
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Dr Julio Luna, a specialist in Dentistry and Stomatology and the first practitioner in Spain to adopt the innovative Ergo loupes back in 2020, states:
“The Ergo loupes completely changed the way I work — especially in terms of posture. I had spent over 10 years using conventional 2.5x and 3.25x loupes, suffering from chronic cervical pain that I could never fully recover from. Ergo loupes are highly recommended for any professional who wants to protect their cervical spine while benefiting from lightness and comfort.
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Víttrea: committed to your ergonomics
In summary, Ergo and Ergo V™ loupes are transforming the way healthcare professionals work — improving posture, reducing muscular strain, and promoting a more sustainable clinical practice.
By adopting ergonomic tools like these, clinicians can enjoy a longer, healthier career while continuing to provide the highest standard of care to their patients.
At Víttrea, we are committed to leading innovation in ergonomics and magnification, and to supporting healthcare professionals in their pursuit of a safer and more comfortable clinical experience.
That’s why, during Ergonomics Month, we invite you to be among the first to try the new Ergo V™ loupes by filling out the form on the special landing page we’ve created for this edition. By requesting a free, no-obligation in-practice trial, you’ll also receive an exclusive discount.
Take advantage of this opportunity and experience the benefits of ergonomic magnification.
Get in touch! Email us at hola@vittrea.com o llámanos al teléfono de atención al cliente 984 491 808.
Happy Ergonomics Month from Víttrea!