We often see how hairdressers complain about neck and shoulder problems they have to face. You will have to bend to serve your clients continuously. This can lead to neck problems.
On the other hand, you will also have to worry about issues in the shoulders due to the repetitive work you do. Here are some valuable tips that you can follow to refrain from the pain associated with such neck and shoulder problems. Any hairdresser will be able to stick to these tips and end up securing relief.
Start your work early as you can
We often see how hairdressers come to work sharp on time and immediately start working. This is a bad habit, and it can increase your risk of getting neck and shoulder problems.
Instead, you can arrive at the workplace early in the morning. Then you will be able to have enough time to relax. When your muscles are relaxed, you will be able to start serving the clients and reduce the chances of getting injuries.
During this time, it is also better if you can focus on some stretching exercises. There are numerous stretching workouts that you can do for your shoulders and neck. All you have to do is follow a reliable guide and understand the best stretching exercises you can do at the salon. Then you can do them before you start your work in the morning.
Take regular breaks
Working continuously for many hours can increase your chances of getting injuries. Therefore, we highly recommend you take regular breaks in between your work. Even if your salon has a big queue, you will need to find enough time to relax in between serving customers. Just five minutes would be enough to relax the muscles in your neck and shoulders.
You will implement an appointment system at the salon and request the customers to reserve appointments before they come. Then you will be able to have enough time in between serving the customers. This will assist you to relax the muscles and stay away from causing too much pressure on them.
Invest in an ergonomic stool or chair
If you can spend your money to purchase a stool, you will use that and serve the clients. The chair will be able to help you to refrain from bending extensively to serve the customers. You will be able to remain seated on the stool and help your clients. You will also be able to control the height of the stool according to your needs.
Take deep breaths
If you can improve the flow of oxygen that you take into the body, you will be able to reduce the chances of getting injuries on the neck and shoulders. This is where we highly encourage you to breathe deeply. When there is adequate oxygen in the body, you will help the muscles remain relaxed. This will help you to get the muscles to the spasm stage.
Never smoke
We highly recommend you not to smoke while you are working as a hairdresser. That's because smoking can create a negative impact on your muscles. This can increase the risk of getting injuries with muscles. You should also limit alcohol consumption as much as you can.
By following these tips, you can enjoy the work you do as a hairstylist because you can easily overcome the problems in your neck and shoulders problems.
Conclusion: Avoiding muscle pains in your neck and shoulder
Hairdressers suffer greater than average neck as well as shoulder discomfort and issues with their wrists and forearms than the general population. For long periods of standing and putting your arms in the air , and performing complex repetitive movements could cause discomfort and pain. In reality, more than 50% of hairdressers suffer shoulder and neck pain, and more than 2/3 suffer from the back hurt. For those who are hairdressers,, what is the best way to deal with it?
Usually, shoulder and neck pain for hairdressers is caused by tension in the muscles and the locking of joint of the spinal. This could result in Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome. The joint of the neck get stiff and inflamed , and could result in nerve irritation. The nerves that come out of the neck travel through the arms to control the muscles of the hand and wrist. Neck issues can lead to muscle weakness pins and needles as well as discomfort.
The muscles in the arms and shoulders aren't designed to contract for prolonged periods. Instead, they're better when you do short bursts of intense exercise that are followed by breaks. When you hold your arms in a straight line, muscles tight, reduces the flow of blood and can cause tissue destruction. It is believed that this could be one possible reason for repetitive strain injuries ( RSI).
Tips for preventing arm, shoulder, and neck discomfort
- Be early to work. If you're in a hurry, and puffing out from rushing up the road and your muscles are tension-stricken before you start working. If you're relaxed and calm then your muscles will be relaxed as well. In addition, you'll be able to complete Tip 2.
- Do a few stretching exercises before starting your working. Click here to download our free exercise sheet: Exercises for hairdressers.
- Pause for a short break every couple of minutes. Every couple of minutes. Allow your hands to drop to your sides and then shake them loose to loosen the muscles.
- Between sessions, you can take a few stretching exercises once more and massage your shoulder, neck as well as forearm muscles.
- Sit on a stool that is high whenever you are able to. This helps relieve tension to your back, feet and lower spine.
- Be careful not to raise your arms to a height that you can't reach by lowering the chair of your client or sitting on an elevated platform.
- Make sure your wrists are straight. If you have your hands positioned at an odd angle, you are stretching the muscles of your forearms.
- Breathe deeply. This increases the supply of oxygen to your muscles and assists to keep them calm. If you're stressed and breathing in shallow breaths, you're more prone to be in spasm.
- Don't smoke. Smokers suffer more pains and aches their joints and muscles. In case you consume alcohol, do your time. Certain chemicals in alcohol cause inflammation.
- At the end of your working day, do the basic stretch and then do the simple stretches.
If you're experiencing still discomforts and aches, come and visit our team at Sundial. Our chiropractors, physiotherapists, and massage therapists will be able to help you.
Read more from medical and science studies:
- Science Direct - Hairdresser neck pains
- Salon Work Related Injuries
- Shoulder Pain Found in Hairdressers
- Shoulder Pain Hairdressers in Salons
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