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

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Permalink Reply by Jodi on August 8, 2013 at 6:36am

That's what I figured.  I don't think stopping massage in facial treatments is the answer.  I think asking MTs for technique help would be a better choice.  We had an MT in our esthetics class and she did show me some things, which I try to remember while I'm doing hand and arm. 

Permalink Reply by coldsalineplexus on August 8, 2013 at 8:08am

To be clear, I wasn't advocating giving up all forms of relaxing touch within the facial.  I still do arm and hand "massage," however I have modified it to be a very slow, rhythmic effleurage where the pressure comes from my shoulders instead of my wrists, and when I am massaging the hands, I avoid opposing my thumb to apply pressure.

Permalink Reply by Katie Van Damme on October 2, 2013 at 11:29am

I started getting manicures every two weeks or so in my salon, and my friend that's doing it is massaging my arms and hands for me. I was using improper mechanics, and over using my thumbs. I should have been keeping my thumbs straight, instead I allowed them to over extend backward. So now I've switched to my elbows rather than my thumbs, I'm using more of my body than my hands and I'm not having so much pain anymore. I've also diversified my services so I'm not doing four to six massages a day. It's helped a lot. 

Permalink Reply by Katie Van Damme on October 2, 2013 at 11:31am

I agree. Massage is so important in my facials. It makes my clients actually get the full benefits of the facial, and when they leave they're so happy and relaxed. I don't want to have to sacrifice such an integral facet of my treatments to make myself feel better. There must be better ways to use my body to fix it. 

Permalink Reply by Bryndl Mar on October 3, 2013 at 12:20pm

I had amazing results with treating debilitating tendonitis and foot pain from 20 years as a fine dining waitress. I found a quality trigger point body worker and a fantastic chiropractor. I did 8 week sessions with each and learned some basic stretches and strength exercises to condition my tissues to work better. 

I imagine with hands it's the same deal.

When choosing either a trigger point specialist or a chiro it's important to really look around. Like us they are also not all created equal in talent & skill... ask lots of questions, be wary of any practitioner who says you will have to see them indefinitely or requires full body x-rays. my chiro says this is rarely nessasary and is often a tactic to just make more money off you. look for folks who work with athletes... turned out both mine worked with the local ballet company. maybe find out who works on gymnasts and dancers in your area by calling the gyms or dance companies.... and good luck, sounds very painful :(

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