Every day in our practices, we see different patients. We must constantly adapt our posture and modify our movements to treat each patient individually. This concept of ergonomics is very important because it helps healthcare professionals maintain their physical health throughout their careers.
In the practice of our profession as chiropodists/podiatrists, to guarantee our comfort and that of the patient, our offices must be arranged according to very specific recommendations. Ergonomics is a science that seeks to adapt work to the human body.
In this article, My Podologie will give you some advice regarding the choice of durable equipment and a conservative posture.
Common occupational illnesses
According to Ameli, in 2019, 88% of occupational illnesses were due to musculoskeletal disorders. This trend is on the rise, with a 2.3% increase recorded compared to 2018.
These figures should make us think and push us to find solutions to preserve our physical health.
Podiatry is a manual discipline. As such, healthcare professionals are frequently affected by conditions related to the upper limbs, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinopathies of the elbow, shoulder, etc.
The scourge of our time: back pain; it affects us all. Lower back pain and neck pain are common. Our eyes and ears aren't spared either. We may also experience decreased visual acuity and hearing loss.
Tips for setting up a podiatrist's office
To optimize your workspace, you should first focus on the most essential furniture (treatment chair, practitioner's chair) and then determine the optimal arrangement of peripheral furniture (station placement, tables, etc.) to create an environment suited to the practice's layout. This environment should allow the practitioner freedom of movement and, above all, minimize unnecessary steps.
Various arrangements and tips:
The location of reserve equipment and equipment for daily activities is not the same
They must be clearly distinguished. Equipment used daily must be kept within 1 meter and at a height between 45 cm and 1 meter from the ground to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Reserve equipment is stored in a separate storage area.
The organization of your workspace should take into account your work habits and your movements.
To grab a blade or forceps or to move around the patient in order to better access an area to be worked on without causing discomfort to the practitioner and the patient.
Sliding doors are more energy-efficient than hinged doors.
The patient's chair must rotate on its own axis to allow for proper patient positioning.
It must also be able to be positioned in the "Trendelenburg" position, meaning with the legs raised. It should also have adjustable armrests to facilitate the transfer of a person with reduced mobility onto the treatment chair. When providing home care, it is advisable to obtain a footrest to adjust the patient's position to the practitioner's preference.
The ergonomic range of Ruck patient chairs , exclusively at My Podologie, will ensure your physical health throughout your professional life as well as the ultimate comfort of your patients!
Discover the MOON Pedicure Chair with Wi-Fi electric lift . Also available with wired electric lift .
The practitioner's chair must be ergonomic
We spend a significant amount of time sitting while treating our patients, and a poor choice of seating can have long-term repercussions. The purpose of choosing an ergonomic practitioner's chair is to allow for frequent changes in the practitioner's position.
The ergonomic range of Ruck practitioner chairs will allow you to work in optimal conditions. The Ruck range will bring real added value to your podiatry practice.
The lighting must allow for the preservation of the practitioner's visual acuity.
Visual discomfort can lead to irreversible damage over time. That's why it's important to have a well-lit and suitable treatment space. The lighting in the treatment room should be brighter than in the rest of the room, as it will require more visual attention than a simple verbal conversation with the patient.
LID's articulated and adjustable LED lamps will protect your vision in the long term. They are made in France. The LID lamp range offers homogeneous and balanced light, quality materials, and well-designed fixings.
The choice of instruments must take into account the physical health of the practitioner.
Instruments should be chosen according to the practitioner's preference, as well as their shape, weight, and size. Your instruments should fit the shape of your hands and also meet ergonomic criteria. If you are starting to experience hand pain, Akori ergonomic nail clippers will offer comfort when cutting nails thanks to their gentle spring and rubber handles (click on the image to access the products):
The ventilation in the office must be regulated.
The air in your office isn't healthy. Why? Because indoor air, whether in your home or your office, is on average eight times more polluted than outdoor air. You're in daily contact with patients and their feet. In this context of a health crisis, it's even more important to ventilate and refresh the air in your office. Opening a window for a few minutes each day is a good way to refresh the air. You could also consider investing in an air purifier, which will ensure healthy air by removing bacteria and particles.
Our air purifiers will allow you to enjoy quality air while you work.
Discover a wide range of cooker hoods and air filtration accessories on our website.
The noise level in the office needs to be regulated.
The noise level in your treatment room must also be regulated, just like the air quality. Noise levels exceeding 75 dBA (decibels) could damage your hearing in the long term.
Advice regarding the working position of a Pedicurist-Podiatrist
Our working position is closely linked to the ergonomics of our podiatry furniture, but not only that. During their training, podiatrists develop their movements and posture. We are not perfect; we all do things in our daily lives that can contribute to the development of various pathologies. To help prevent these conditions, My Podologie offers some advice.
Rounded arms during the treatment
With rounded arms, you'll protect your arms and wrists. Check your posture repeatedly during the treatment. Correct it and avoid having your arms straight.
The height of the arms
Avoid having your arms and hands positioned beyond shoulder level. This leads to tension and fatigue. An angle of approximately 90° is ideal.
Get moving!
The best preventative treatment for back pain is to move, to change position when the previous one is no longer comfortable. Ergonomic equipment allows you to avoid maintaining the same position over the long term. The equipment adjusts to you, not the other way around.
