Nails Magazine

Career Handbook 2014

Magazine for the professional nail industry.

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70 | 2014 NAILS CAREER HANDBOOK The demands of the job put nail techs at risk of developing chronic pain in their shoulders and back. Learn how proper posture can combat the risk by reducing muscle strain and fatigue. DON'T: Lean on your elbow as you apply product, shape nails, or polish. This raises the shoulder and tires the strained muscles. DO: Sit with both feet on the ground and body weight balanced on the ischial tuberosity (butt bones). Keep shoulders straight and core engaged without straining the neck forward as you work. If you need to get closer to the client's nails, use an elevated hand rest or bend the whole body forward without rolling or hunching the shoulders. DON'T: Perch at the edge of your chair or lean forward to get closer to the client's nails. This ofers no lower back support and increases muscle fatigue. DO: Find a chair with good lumbar support and work at a distance that allows you to have both feet on the foor. Wheel yourself forward rather than bending yourself closer. DON'T: Twist your body and cross your legs as you work. The twisted spine and compressed leg will increase hip and back pain. DO: Sit straight, with shoulders forward. Engage your core and straighten your shoulders and back. Keep hips facing the client with feet on the foor. If necessary, purchase a desk with a cutout that allows you to sit straight in your chair, but to still work on the client's hands from an angle. DON'T: Bear the weight of the client's hand and arm by suspending the hand during nail services. DO: Support the client's hand to reduce strain on your wrists and shoulders. You can choose a product such as the Wrist Assist or the Pampered Perch, or create your own solution, such as a small, frm pillow that elevates the client's hand while keeping it in a limp, relaxed position. DON'T: Stretch the neck forward to get a close view of the toes and feet. This creates enormous stress on the muscles of the neck and shoulders. DO: Elevate clients' feet with a footrest and get an adjustable pedi stool for yourself. The height of the footrest and the height of the stool can be adjusted to bring the client's foot to the correct height during diferent stages of the service. DON'T: Use your own strength to support the weight of a client's foot. Don't round the upper body over the toes and feet to get closer to the client. Both put pressure on the muscles between the shoulder blades. Plus, rounded shoulders reduce your ability to open your chest fully when you breathe. DO: Depend on the footrest to not only bring the foot to a workable height, but also to bear the weight of the foot. You should always be in a position where your shoulders and upper back are straight. DON'T: Don't twist the body to get closer to the client's foot. DO: Keep the lower back straight and supported. Engage your core muscles to reduce strain on the lower back. Find a chair that ofers support for the lower back, and be sure your pedicure tub and footrest allow you to wheel forward and surround the tub. Your posture will be compromised if any part of the pedicure area restricts your feet and legs. Feet should be fat on the foor, and legs should be able to maneuver freely around the footrest and tub. MODEL: CAMMY NGUYEN, BLOSSOM BEAUTY LOUNGE PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIMBERLY PHAM For more on posture, go to www.nailsmag.com/article/1138/posture-primer.

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