Hairdressing is a great career that many people want to enjoy for life. Unfortunately, the physical demands of hairdressing often cause people to experience pain. Before you quit the career you love to get rid of that pain, check out these ways to alleviate it. Keep reading to learn how to alleviate the neck pain you experience as a hairdresser.
Stretch and Exercise
Your neck pain stems from holding your neck in unnatural positions for long stretches of time. To help prevent and alleviate that pain, you need to stretch and exercise those muscles regularly. Start your workday with neck, back, arm, and leg stretches to make sure your muscles are ready for the appointments ahead of you. Take time to stretch and exercise throughout the day as well. If you have the energy, practice yoga or do another similar exercise after work so your muscles can continue to get the blood flow they need.
Take Breaks
Even if you’d rather not stretch during the day, you need to give yourself time to take breaks. Just rolling your shoulders and neck in between clients can help alleviate the tension and pain you’ll start to feel in your upper body after a while. Sit down to give your legs a break and maintain a good posture, keeping your neck straight and your chin level to create a neutral position that will help you feel better. This is also a good time to drink water and do deep breathing exercises, since hydration and oxygen can also keep muscles healthy and pain-free.
Use Ergonomic Tools
No matter how much you stretch or how many breaks you take, you still have a job to do that can put you in uncomfortable positions. Luckily, you can avoid these positions with ergonomic tools. Invest in an ergonomic stool or chair so you can sit comfortably while cutting hair. Buy tools that are easier on your hands and arms since many of these muscles connect to your neck. Swivel thumb hairdressing shears and other types of shears offer many benefits, including ergonomic designs that protect your body and help you get the work done right.
Alleviating neck pain as a hairdresser can feel impossible. If you learn the appropriate stretches and exercises, give yourself time to take breaks and invest in ergonomic tools, which will help you alleviate and prevent that pain. Without pain, you can comfortably and confidently continue in this amazing career for years to come.