How can i protect my hands? :(
I've only been in skin care for four years. When I was in school I was told that the typical career life of an Esthetician is five years. I don't want that to be true of me, because I am so passionate. I am noticing though, that now that I work in a high volume salon, and am the only skin therapist there so far, and the busiest employee, that my hands hurt so badly when I'm not doing facials. Two weeks ago I couldn't move my thumbs, and every morning when I wake up it feels like I've hyperextended them all night long. My palms have such deep trigger points and aches that I don't know if it's repairable. And now I'm noticing even in my ring fingers the muscles are giving me resistance when I flex and stretch my hands. What can I do to protect my career and my body that won't cost me a fortune?
Tags: career, hands, health, protect, self-care
Views: 2122
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by coldsalineplexus on
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Stop doing intense massage as part of your facials! Find other techniques you can use to provide the same level of relaxation... Hot towel wraps for hands and feet, table warmer, meditation gong, you name it.
Besides the face and neck, what else do you massage in a typical facial? Esthetics programs are famous for not teaching body and hand mechanics, so if you absolutely don't want to back off of massaging, you should seek continuing education for your mechanics.
Plunging your hands into ice water periodically is also very helpful. Ideally you would do 20 min cold and 20 min warm as often as possible to reduce inflammation.
Additionally, most massage therapists can teach you the hand stretches that they are taught to do between clients.
Finally, hand braces are pretty inexpensive at the drugstore and you can sleep wearing them, especially if you actually are hyperextending during sleep.
But at the end of the day, I feel that adjusting the way you are using your hands is the most important factor. Imagine you open a book, place your palm and wrist down flat on a page, and close the book over your hand. That's how your hands should be aligned most of your workday.
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Permalink Reply by Jodi on
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As someone who sat at a desk for years before getting into esthetics, I've had hand and wrist pain for years. The stretching Christine mentions is great, as is having your hands regularly massaged. I found what helped me is going to a chiropractor. They put my wrists in 'traction' and it really stretches them out. They then massaged the super tight muscles in my forearms. It really made a difference. I stopped going for a few years and am noticing pain again, so I have an appt Wednesday to start again. Also, a massage therapist friend of mine mentioned alot of wrist and hand pain comes from tight pectoral muscles, so maybe have a massage therapist work on that as well? I'm going to have her work on me soon, in combination with the chiropractor. Good luck! I never heard the 5 year thing, and I hope that's not true!
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I second the chiropractor suggestion. Acupuncture can also be very helpful. Glucosamine supplementation can help. And of course anything else you can do lifestyle-wise to minimize inflammation.
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Permalink Reply by Sheila Gordon on
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try working out some trade with your massage therapist. I was having major elbow pain and one session with my LMT and it's gone. May be worth a shot.
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Permalink Reply by Shelley Hancock on
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I missed that 5 year memo thank goodness because I'm in my 25th year! :-) I gave up doing massage on my clients many years ago. I was nervous when I told my clients that I would no longer be doing massage during their treatments. I explained to them that I wanted to save my body and be able to do this for a very long time. I did not lose one single client!! Be good to yourself...we olny have one body!
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Also, if you have LED at your place of work, I would highly recommend applying infrared light to your hands.
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Permalink Reply by Denise R. Fuller on
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Here is a link to a great article on keeping hands healthy by Austine Mah:
http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/1670/He...
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Permalink Reply by Dawn C on
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You should be stretching your fingers and using a consistent pressure but never a hard pressure. Put your hand together, fingers extended upward at chest level then raise your elbows up. Palms can come apart and fingers should stretch backwards. I was taught this by my cosmo teacher and massage teacher. Hope this helps
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I dont know what your state regulations are but I know in Fl we are not allowed to massage . Fl law just changed and we arent supposed to do decolette anymore either. Just do your lotion application with mild pressure but definitely stretch for 10 min before you start taking clients and at the end of the day.
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Permalink Reply by Natalie on
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I have to agree with all below- keep light with massage or I don't think there is any ways around the joint pain after many years.:(
- Instead of hand massage offer a hand exfoliation scrub and warm oil rub or lotion. Can spray on if gets that bad and lightly rub in.
- I purchased the warming mitts and simply place lotion or oil on clients hands, then place in plastic and inside mitt. Simple way to cut massage out and still pamper the cuticles and hands with a warm touch.
Do shoulders and neck massage lightly or as add on only.
If necessary omit all together or use a professional massage gadget/ hot stones that can be somewhat 'comparable', I say that lightly- if clients must have.
Do short exercises- Open up palms and stretch fingers then relax.
Another exercise I do daily-
put fingers together like a prayer position then flex and open up fingers and do circular motion. Relax and repeat. Bending fingers back and holding at knuckle to open and bend doing movement that you may normally do. doing light exercises and strengthening techniques daily or on days off do strength in Am & noon and PM for others.
Beware of the posture and alignment you use as far as technique can help. Harmful movements with wrist and other areas of hand can bring everything out of alignment.
Talk to your Dr. and ask advice!
Try to give yourself a few daily breaks and take care of you!
- Get hand massages weekly or give to your self.
- Hot and cold therapy.
- Lotion that is for arthritis and hand aches and pains at night to ease.
Yoga and Pilates for hands article- http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/353/Yog...
Hope you get some relief!
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I wonder how massage therapists handle this? I know MTs who have been in business longer than 5 years, obviously they do alot more massage than we do...just seems strange all the replies saying 'stop massaging.' Maybe it's technique, since we aren't really taught that?
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Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on
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We pay attention to what we are doing.
Many people, MT's included, have poor body mechanics or use their bodies improperly, placing udue stress on joints.
I have been an MT for 10 years. If you are hurting, then you are doing something improperly.
You figure it out and then you change your technique.
MT's also know the benefits of massage so the smartest ones get regular massage themselves.
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