Nails Magazine

Career Handbook 2013

Magazine for the professional nail industry.

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Honing Your Skills POSTURE PRIMER If you develop ergonomic habits, you may never be plagued with the aches and pains that are sometimes viewed as unavoidable side efects of being a nail tech. We'll show you how to comfortably do manicures and pedicures.  BY MICHELLE PRATT As defined by our friends at Google,"ergonomics is the study of how equipment and furniture can be arranged in order that people can do work or other activities more efficiently and comfortably." Below we look at how ergonomics can help reduce strain to our bodies, and we compare improper and proper posture during both pedicure services and manicure PEDICURE — LOOKING DOWN (working on cuticles/filing/polish, some pumice/sloughing) I Incorrect: When techs need to perform clo t d close-up, detailed work, there is a tendency to round the shoulders and extend the neck to get as close to the foot as possible, which will cause strain to the muscles in the upper body and the entire back. Worse, when that doesn't work, techs can add enormous strain to their bodies as they try to get into a position that gives them the best perspective. Correct: Many salons have opted to elevate the pedicure throne, which helps. However, techs should still be mindful of their posture while they perform the service. Cynthia Burt, injury prevention division manager at UCLA Environmental Health & Safety, says to choose a chair that ofers lower back support and the ability to make height adjustments throughout the day. Techs should keep their back straight and supported, and use both the height adjustment of their chair and of the footrest to keep the foot at a workable level instead of straining the body. Burt suggests techs should also employ the help of the clients by asking them to bend their knees and move their feet to appropriate positions. 70 | 2013 NAILS CAREER HANDBOOK or enhancement services. During any service, whether it's at a pedi throne or at a nail table, you have to contend with three main factors: supporting the weight of the client's arm or leg, working while looking down at the hand or foot, and working while looking forward at the hand or foot. PEDICURE — BEARING THE WEIGHT Incorrect: Don't bear the weight of a client's leg by resting the foot in your lap or by using your own strength to lift and lower the leg. This strains the muscles in your shoulders and back, and, because you are connected to the client, it also reduces your mobility to be agile as you work through the diferent steps of the service. Correct: Instead, elevate clients and place their feet or legs on a footrest that bears their weight. Some pedicure units have footrests that are height-adjustable, which keeps the foot in a workable position during various stages of a pedicure. Even during the massage portion of a service, the footrests can bear the majority of the weight so techs can limit pressure on their back, shoulders, and neck. Check out the NAILS website for printable handouts on healthy working at www.nailsmag.com/handouts. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIMBERLY PHAM; MODELS: COURTNEY MCCARTER, RETRO BEAUTY BAR, LOS ALAMITOS, CALIF., ELIZABETH ASHTON, ELIZABETH ASHTON AYURVEDIC NAIL SPA, LONG BEACH, CALIF..

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