Nails Magazine

Career Handbook 2013

Magazine for the professional nail industry.

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NAIL TABLE — LOOKING DOWN (prep, application, some filing, polish) Incorrect: This technician has her shoulders rolled forward, her left arm is resting on the table, which pushes her shoulder up, she is twisted in her chair, and her legs are crossed. "Crossing the legs causes more compression on one side of the body than the other," says Burt. "It also suggests that the person has very weak abdominal l muscles. Crossing the leg tilts your pelvis s so you can sit up straight for a longer period d without getting tired." Correct: Many times techs may twist in n their chair because they want to get closer to o their work. Instead of contorting themselves into this position, Burt suggests techs might benefit from a table with a cut-out that allows her to sit straight in her chair but still work on the client's hands from an angle. Techs can also work on strengthening their core muscles so they are able to sit straight for longer periods of time and to keep both feet on the floor to prevent unbalanced compression. Techs may also benefit from using a magnifying glass during the detail portion of the service. NAIL TABLE — LOOKING FORWARD (some filing/fine finishing) NAIL TABLE — BEARING THE WEIGHT I Incorrect: It looks as if you're holding a client's h d with a gentle touch and soft hold, t li t' hand ith but the reality is that your wrists and hands are being repeatedly strained and taxed. Over time, the added weight, combined with the repetitive motion, takes a toll on your muscles and joints and can cause long-term problems, such as arthritis and carpal tunnel. Correct: As with a pedicure, some sort of rest should bear the client's weight. Products on the market, such as the Wrist-Assist (shown), maintain a full range of motion for a client, while keeping her wrist supported and the hand limp. This alleviates the need for the tech to support the weight of the entire arm during the service and prevents the customer from "fighting" with the tech for control of her fingers. Incorrect: We all have heard that it's important to choose a chair with lower back support. The idea is to sit straight, feet on the ground, eyes ahead, with lumbar region supported. This may work in an ofce setting, but it's difcult in the salon. Techs often sit at the edge of their seat while they're working, both to get closer to their work, but also because this position supports their sitting bones. However, sitting at the edge of the seat ofers no support to the lower back, and it causes strain and fatigue to the muscles. Correct:  Keep legs on the floor, back straight, with sitting bones supported. Techs may need to invest in an ergonomically correct chair and should choose one that fits their height and weight correctly and allows your shoulders and elbows to experience a full range of movement. >>> 2013 NAILS CAREER HANDBOOK | 71

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