Career Ending Carpal Tunnel Syndrome for the Hair Stylist – yes or no?
The leading cause for ending a hair stylist career is carpal tunnel syndrome and severe tendonitis.
I read an article on yahoo answers about a stylist who had only been doing hair for 4 years and began to developed severe pain in her shoulders, arms and wrists. She saw a neurologist who put her on anti-inflammatory drugs. It helped a bit but then came back worse than ever as she was still working. She was missing work a lot and taking pain killers but nothing was really helping. Then the pain became so bad that her husband took her to the ER. Again put on a drug to help with the pain and inflammation. She is wondering if this is going to end her career.
If doesn’t have to end your career if you understand what you can do to on a daily, weekly and monthly basis for regular Body Maintenance to alleviate muscle strain and tension.
For 8 hours, a stylist uses her/his muscles to grip scissors with arms elevated, brush and comb hair out, wash hair, foil hair, style hair, all the while tensing muscles of the upper body, arms and hands. This is called and will develop into a repetitive strain injury. Muscular tension in your neck, shoulders and arms reflects continuous repetitive strain that can lead to carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and crippling pain, numbness and tingling. These are just symptoms and can be reversed when the body is given the right kind of therapy. When the cause of the repetition is addressed, and dealt with, the body will heal naturally. Not from drugs or surgery. The surgery only temporarily stops the pain until you go back to what you did to cause it and drugs only cover it up. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO STOP YOUR CAREER.
Let me ask you this:
1. Do you get a MASSAGE once a week to alleviate the tension and strain in the muscles?
2. Do you see an OSTEOPATH or CHIROPRACTOR at least once a month to maintain structural alignment?
3. Do you STRETCH during the day while at work?
4. Do you DRINK PLENTY OF WATER throughout your day?
5. Do you EAT a BALANCE NUTRITIONAL PROGRAM?
6. AND LAST – Do you INVEST IN YOUR BODY’S WELL BEING? This investment will insure longevity in your chosen career. What you put in is what you get out.
THERE IS NO CURE FOR A MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURY, ONLY BODY MAINTENANCE!
Kate Montgomery, Author of End Your Carpal Tunnel Pain Without Surgery.