An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising: (a) a body; (b) an ultrasonic transducer; (c) a shaft extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft defines a longitudinal axis; (d) an acoustic waveguide (166, 1366), wherein the waveguide (166, 1366) is acoustically coupled with the transducer, wherein the waveguide (166, 1366) comprises a flexible portion (164, 1364) and a nodal portion located distal to the flexible portion (164, 1364); (e) an articulation section (130, 800, 900, 1300) coupled with the distal end of the shaft, wherein a bendable portion of the articulation section (800, 900, 1300) encompasses the flexible portion (164, 1364) of the waveguide (166, 1366), wherein the articulation section (130, 800, 900, 1300) further includes a distal collar (748, 940, 1340) located distal to the nodal portion of the waveguide (166, 1366); (f) an end effector located distal to the articulation section (130, 800, 900, 1300) and comprising an ultrasonic blade (160, 1360) in acoustic communication with the waveguide (166, 1366); and (g) an articulation drive assembly (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310, 1314) operable to cause the bendable portion of the articulation section (130, 800, 900, 1300) to bend, to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis, wherein the articulation drive assembly (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310, 1314) comprises at least one translating articulation driver (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310; 1314) coupled with the distal collar (748, 940, 1340), characterized in that the articulation section (130, 800, 900, 1300) further comprises a distal outer tube (176, 936, 1336) located distal to the bendable portion of the articulation section (130, 800, 900, 1300) and engaged with the distal collar (748, 940, 1340), wherein a portion of the translating articulation driver (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310; 1314) is interposed between the outer tube (176, 936, 1336) and the nodal portion of the waveguide (166, 1366); (h) whereby longitudinal translation of the at least one articulation driver (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310; 1314) creates and applies a moment to the nodal portion without transferring axial forces in the at least one translating articulation driver (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310; 1314) to the waveguide (166, 1366), such that the nodal portion is subject to laterally directed bearing forces by the distal outer tube (176, 936, 1336) and/or the at least one translating articulation driver (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310; 1314) when being driven to an articulated position. (a) a body; (b) an ultrasonic transducer; (c) a shaft extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft defines a longitudinal axis; (d) an acoustic waveguide (166, 1366), wherein the waveguide (166, 1366) is acoustically coupled with the transducer, wherein the waveguide (166, 1366) comprises a flexible portion (164, 1364) and a nodal portion located distal to the flexible portion (164, 1364); (e) an articulation section (130, 800, 900, 1300) coupled with the distal end of the shaft, wherein a bendable portion of the articulation section (800, 900, 1300) encompasses the flexible portion (164, 1364) of the waveguide (166, 1366), wherein the articulation section (130, 800, 900, 1300) further includes a distal collar (748, 940, 1340) located distal to the nodal portion of the waveguide (166, 1366); (f) an end effector located distal to the articulation section (130, 800, 900, 1300) and comprising an ultrasonic blade (160, 1360) in acoustic communication with the waveguide (166, 1366); and (g) an articulation drive assembly (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310, 1314) operable to cause the bendable portion of the articulation section (130, 800, 900, 1300) to bend, to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis, wherein the articulation drive assembly (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310, 1314) comprises at least one translating articulation driver (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310; 1314) coupled with the distal collar (748, 940, 1340), characterized in that the articulation section (130, 800, 900, 1300) further comprises a distal outer tube (176, 936, 1336) located distal to the bendable portion of the articulation section (130, 800, 900, 1300) and engaged with the distal collar (748, 940, 1340), wherein a portion of the translating articulation driver (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310; 1314) is interposed between the outer tube (176, 936, 1336) and the nodal portion of the waveguide (166, 1366); (h) whereby longitudinal translation of the at least one articulation driver (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310; 1314) creates and applies a moment to the nodal portion without transferring axial forces in the at least one translating articulation driver (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310; 1314) to the waveguide (166, 1366), such that the nodal portion is subject to laterally directed bearing forces by the distal outer tube (176, 936, 1336) and/or the at least one translating articulation driver (740, 840, 910, 912, 1310; 1314) when being driven to an articulated position.