25/06/2008 - Name: R.B. Age: 35 years Occupation: Supervisor, Safety Officer and Union Representative.
Symptoms
Pain developed four years ago in R.B.'s shoulder and neck, with breathing difficulty when she sat on a lounge. Symptoms were made worse by the sort of fine work that was required by her job, which is carried out in a standing position or seated on a conventional work stool. Overuse injury was diagnosed by her doctor using x-ray; it showed a protruding disc at C5. Intensive physiotherapy was undertaken for three weeks but return to work was still too painful and R.B. was unable to continue. By now her whole life, as well as work, was affected. Driving was difficult; walking and swimming were very uncomfortable. Further physiotherapy included stretches, which began to offer relief. Return to work was gradual and in accordance with a rehabilitation plan.
Introduction to the Saddle Seat
R.B. consulted the company physiotherapist about her future. She was determined to continue her work and wanted to get back to all of her accustomed activities. She saw the most important part of this as maintaining correct posture when sitting. The physiotherapist recommended the Bambach Saddle Seat as the best way of maintaining a correct posture for work. R.B. was introduced to the Bambach Saddle Seat and then advised on how to use it with the work she was doing.
Result
At first R.B. found the seat so different that she spent some time getting used to it. The adjustability of the seat was critical in her finally getting comfortable. The tilt, height and back adjustments were all readjusted time and again as she found her correct position.
The seat has been successful in preventing a recurrence of her symptoms. While attending lectures to obtain her occupational health and safety diploma, R.B. had to sit in classroom seats, and the symptoms returned. She then said she realised that the Bambach Saddle seat had given her an understanding of correct posture, and she said that she now evaluates all seating, and her own posture, in comparison with the Bambach Saddle Seat, which is her benchmark, to avoid a return of the symptoms that affect her life so seriously. She now has a Bambach Saddle Seat at home for her study, and she is more productive:
I have no back or neck problem now except when I sit on a seat other than a Bambach Saddle Seat, such as a couch or other conventional seat.
