Blog - The Aligned Hygienist

Straighten Up: Improving Ergonomics and Well-Being for Dental Hygienists through Posture 08/03/2023

As dental hygienists, we play a vital role in maintaining the oral health of our patients. However, the nature of our work puts us at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including neck and back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even eye strain. The key to preventing these injuries and maintaining a long-lasting career in […]

Dental Ergonomic Tips to Upgrade Your Ergonomics 09/09/2022

Sitting, in general, is challenging for the body; our bodies simply weren’t designed to sit for long periods of time. We hear this message all of the time: sitting is the new smoking. as it has been linked to many health issues including neck and back pain, increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. In […]

Tips for Dental Hygiene For Temping 08/24/2022

Let’s be real, working as a dental hygienist can be tough work. It can be challenging physically, mentally, and emotionally. For many offices, there is a constant state of change happening, and it can be draining for some to keep up. Temping at offices, in my opinion, is even more challenging. In this blog, In this […]

Ergonomic Tips for a Healthy Body 05/11/2022

According to Merriam Webster, ergonomics is defined as “an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.” I describe ergonomics as setting up the workspace so the practitioner, as well as the equipment and surroundings, are positioned in a way that supports […]

Yoga for Posture Correction 03/31/2022

The average American spends three and a half hours looking down at their devices every day, according to this peer-reviewed publication. Looking down at your smartphone and slouching at the computer is correlated with neck pain, back pain, and a slue of other physical issues. In addition to physical health, poor posture is also related […]

Exercises to Stretch Hips 02/25/2022

Sitting for long periods of time can take a toll on the body, especially the hips. If you sit for extended periods of time, you may be feeling tightness in the front, back or side of your hips. Although most people think this is due to the aging process, it’s likely a reflection of your […]

Exercises for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome PDF 01/17/2022

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy, with a prevalence in the general adult population ranging from 2.7 to 5.8 percent, according to American Family Physician. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve. In this blog post, I share my favorite exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome pdf. Anatomically speaking, the […]

Best Yoga Poses for Low Back Pain 12/16/2021

One of the most common things people ask for help with is low back pain. In fact, according to a recent study with the CDC, low back pain is the most common type of pain. The study showed that 25% of people reported low back pain in the last 3 months!!! That’s why I wanted […]

How To Treat a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 11/17/2021

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an important contributor to work-related disability. In fact, an astonishing eight million people are affected by carpal tunnel syndrome each year. The surgery for CTS is the second most common type of musculoskeletal surgery behind back surgery. In 2015, surgery for carpal […]

How to Improve Hip Mobility 10/11/2021

Along with specific physical exercises, sitting for long periods of time is one of the main causes for tight hips. Unfortunately, tight hip muscles can lead to many things, including aches, pain, injury and lack of functional movement. In this blog, I will teach you how to improve hip mobility with three different practices. As […]

How To Sit With Good Posture 09/20/2021

Sitting for long periods of time is tough on the body… it can be a real pain in the neck (see what I did there?:). Sitting for an extended amount of time can put unnecessary pressure on the body. After 12 years working as a dental hygienist, and the last five years running my business, […]

Stretches for Neck and Shoulder Pain 09/15/2021

I struggled with neck and shoulder pain for years. I struggled to find stretches for neck and shoulder pain that actually worked… but when I did, everything changed. I created some powerful stretches that I’m sharing with you inside this article. So let’s get down to it–I’m guessing you’re here because: You either have neck […]

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