Dilemma! Shoulder/neck pain compromising entire business

[Missmel]

Hi,
I have had my beauty business for nearly 8 years and I think I have reached the point where I may have to give it up due to repetitive strain doing certain treatments. For the past few months the pain in my right neck and shoulder has really been interfering with my treatments.
The worst treatments I find are manicures, electrolysis and now I'm even finding that eyebrow shapes and facials are affecting me. I'm 30 years old and began my business 8 years ago by starting off mobile and then got established in a beauty salon.
I really feel that I can't continue this way, taking painkillers every day and using a heated cushion every evening and my poor boyfriend is having to massage me every day too so I'm sure he's feeling fed up!

Has anyone got any advice or had similar problems? I have been trying to exercise, do yoga and get massages as much as possible but its getting expensive!

A confused Missmel

 

[loubilicious]

Hi, Have you seen your GP yet? That's probably your 1st port of call.
I would try to seek out a good osteopath, who will assess your problem and undertake a course of treatments.
To find a qualified and registered osteopath in your area and find out a little more about the treatment go to

Home | General Osteopathic Council

HTH Lou xx

 

[Brandywine]

The only advise I can think of is to go and see a Chiropractor. I found this made a huge difference to an arm and shoulder problem I had. You have obviously thought of everything else and are working as ergonomicaly as possible. Good luck.x

P.S. If it doesn't get any better would it be possible to become a tutor instead?

 

[Missmel]

Hi guys, thanks for your replies. I went to see my G.P but tbh they weren't very helpful because they don't specialise in that area but they did refer me for physiotherapy which I've now had two courses of, and just recently saw an osteopath who gave me general advice and manipulation.
Unfortunately it has been an ongoing thing which is obviously related to my every day posture, so all these things such as osteo are helpful in the short term but the problem causing it isn't going away unless I have a change in career.
Having built up my business I don't want to give it all up just yet. I have thought about teaching part time so that I could always try doing both. I'm hoping it's fairly easy to get into with my qualifications and experience so I will probably give my local college a call to enquire.

I'm not giving up on beauty just yet!

 

[Blue Rose]

If you have your own salon, what about employing someone?

If your takings are healthy anyway, you'll be able to afford wages, plus you'll be able to spend more time on marketing the business to keep interest in it.

I've had work related aches & pains myself for years & very rarely do treatments now because of it.

Obviously employing staff is not without its own set of problems but at least you keep your business going which ultimately is better than letting it go. Also, with having employees you'd still be able to teach part time & do what you can with the rest of your time.

 

[RickOlderman]

Dear Confused Missmel,
Most headaches, shoulder, and neck pain are due to the shoulder blades sitting too low on the trunk. There are muscles attaching from the shoulder blade directly to the first four neck vertebrae and skull. When the shoulders sit too low, these muscles then pull on the neck bones and skull causing neck pain and headaches.
Here's a quick, simple test to see if this is the case with you. If you're having right-sided neck pain or headaches, raise your right hand and place it flat on top of your head for 20 seconds. Make sure your head doesn't side-bend or rotate to achieve this. If your pain diminished after this test, then your scapula may be sitting too low causing your discomfort. This is easily correctable. This is also the culprit in diagnoses such as thoracic outlet syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome.
I wrote a book about this. It is easily correctable. I'd hate to see you lose your business for something that is so easily fixed. My website is Fixing You | Pain | Back pain | Neck Pain | Headaches | Shoulder | Elbow | hip | knee | foot | ankle | Pregnancy. if you care to check it out. I wish you the best.
Rick

 

[Exquisite Touch]

i have regualr massages due to this particular problem every monday without fail, otherwise i dont feel the benefit.

 

[Melanie89]

Hi missmel!

Iv got a really bad neck and back aswell and it does hurt when im sitting doing nails! I went to my GP n they were useless tbh! I then was recommended to a Sports Injury Therapist that the owner of my salon went to and found he helped me alot! He told me for someone my age (20) Iv got the worst back he's seen and he also told me the people he tends to get with the worst backs are hairdressers and people in the beauty industry! I was told on my first appointment just from looking at me one of my hips was twisted, one of my collarbones were higher than the other and one of my legs were longer than the other :$ i was so embarressed lol! but his treatments helped alot but I have to go every week for it to stay that way as I took a break of two weeks and felt like I was back to the start! He really digs in deep to my muscles, enough to make my eyes water most appointments lol, but it does me the world of good! xx

 

[Missmel]

If you have your own salon, what about employing someone?

If your takings are healthy anyway, you'll be able to afford wages, plus you'll be able to spend more time on marketing the business to keep interest in it.

I've had work related aches & pains myself for years & very rarely do treatments now because of it.

Obviously employing staff is not without its own set of problems but at least you keep your business going which ultimately is better than letting it go. Also, with having employees you'd still be able to teach part time & do what you can with the rest of your time.

I have considered employment but I realise it could be an issue finding someone reliable enough to look after the business on the days when I'm not there, but I appreciate that it could be an option (if I was to get a bigger shop!) so I won't rule it out.

I do think it is time to slow down with the physical side of the job though so part time teaching could be the way to go :Grope:

 

[Missmel]

Dear Confused Missmel,
Most headaches, shoulder, and neck pain are due to the shoulder blades sitting too low on the trunk. There are muscles attaching from the shoulder blade directly to the first four neck vertebrae and skull. When the shoulders sit too low, these muscles then pull on the neck bones and skull causing neck pain and headaches.
Here's a quick, simple test to see if this is the case with you. If you're having right-sided neck pain or headaches, raise your right hand and place it flat on top of your head for 20 seconds. Make sure your head doesn't side-bend or rotate to achieve this. If your pain diminished after this test, then your scapula may be sitting too low causing your discomfort. This is easily correctable. This is also the culprit in diagnoses such as thoracic outlet syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome.
I wrote a book about this. It is easily correctable. I'd hate to see you lose your business for something that is so easily fixed. My website is Fixing You | Pain | Back pain | Neck Pain | Headaches | Shoulder | Elbow | hip | knee | foot | ankle | Pregnancy. if you care to check it out. I wish you the best.
Rick

Thanks for the feedback Rik. I'm not sure what you mean by the shoulder sitting too low as it feels like my shoulder is possibly up too high. With most of the treatments I am sitting with my arm outstretched, with no support for the elbow, (e.g filing nails) so my shoulder is raised up towards my neck.

When I tried doing your exercise and putting my hand on top of my head it did feel a little easier, so I will have a look at your website. Thank you:Grope:

 

[Missmel]

Hi missmel!

Iv got a really bad neck and back aswell and it does hurt when im sitting doing nails! I went to my GP n they were useless tbh! I then was recommended to a Sports Injury Therapist that the owner of my salon went to and found he helped me alot! He told me for someone my age (20) Iv got the worst back he's seen and he also told me the people he tends to get with the worst backs are hairdressers and people in the beauty industry! I was told on my first appointment just from looking at me one of my hips was twisted, one of my collarbones were higher than the other and one of my legs were longer than the other :$ i was so embarressed lol! but his treatments helped alot but I have to go every week for it to stay that way as I took a break of two weeks and felt like I was back to the start! He really digs in deep to my muscles, enough to make my eyes water most appointments lol, but it does me the world of good! xx

Hi Melanie,

I'm glad to hear that the sports therapist has been helping with your problems. I think he's right, unfortunately we are susceptible to bad backs in this industry and you are very young to have problems like that already.

It sounds like he has set you on the right path though, and great that you are aware of what's causing it now so you can continue to take care of yourself for the future.

I've booked to see a guy who does therapeutic massage early next week and he too makes my eyes water by digging deep but it's definately worth it! x:smack:

 

[totalbirdbrain]

Before Christmas I was getting terrible pains in my neck that seemed to originate from the left scapula and it got to the point that i'd be sitting watching tv on an evening and couldnt stop reajusting my position, moving my arms....to the point that my wrists and fingers ached and I had to keep 'stretching' them. Where I work there is a lady that works freelance and i'm not entirely sure what her title is....more than physio and sports therapist anyway....she dragged me in and over a few appointments set to work. Someone of it was damn painful and I called her a few choice words! Basically my bones and joints where stiff therefore my muscles were stiff.

I havent had to see her since before Christmas and my neck/shoulder area feels great. I wont say its completely gone but am certainly 95% better. I'll find out her title for you and maybe you can see if there is someone in your area that does the same.

 

[Blue Rose]

I have considered employment but I realise it could be an issue finding someone reliable enough to look after the business on the days when I'm not there, but I appreciate that it could be an option (if I was to get a bigger shop!) so I won't rule it out.

I do think it is time to slow down with the physical side of the job though so part time teaching could be the way to go :Grope:

Unfortunately that is one of the downsides & boy have I had some dodgy staff in the past. But, touch that wood I've good some pretty good therapists atm

 

[Missmel]

Before Christmas I was getting terrible pains in my neck that seemed to originate from the left scapula and it got to the point that i'd be sitting watching tv on an evening and couldnt stop reajusting my position, moving my arms....to the point that my wrists and fingers ached and I had to keep 'stretching' them. Where I work there is a lady that works freelance and i'm not entirely sure what her title is....more than physio and sports therapist anyway....she dragged me in and over a few appointments set to work. Someone of it was damn painful and I called her a few choice words! Basically my bones and joints where stiff therefore my muscles were stiff.

I havent had to see her since before Christmas and my neck/shoulder area feels great. I wont say its completely gone but am certainly 95% better. I'll find out her title for you and maybe you can see if there is someone in your area that does the same.

Thats good to know that the physio/sports therapist helped you. Maybe its all about finding the right person to give it a good enough pummel! I had a friend that used to do hot stones for me and that sorted it out for a while so I might give that a go again

 

[Missmel]

Unfortunately that is one of the downsides & boy have I had some dodgy staff in the past. But, touch that wood I've good some pretty good therapists atm

I can imagine! Especially when your business is like 'your baby' and you've built it up from scratch, but I guess at some point you have to consider what's best for you. However, I can imagine that the up side of having some good therapists is very rewarding.

 

[jo1983]

i have scoliosis and have suffered from back and shoulder pain for mosst of my life. It became especially worse when I joined the beauty industry.
I then started doing yoga, and it has changed my life! It has strengthened my muscles and helps to releive the constant ache I get down my entire righthand side! I also get sciatica and since taking up yoga it has got soooooo much better!

 

[hippy-chick]

Firstly,
its not so simple getting into teaching, so don't put your eggs into one basket here. yes, you can now train to be a tutor in 10 weeks, but you may find that the local college isn't taking on. Most colleges either have a database of there own to call on or use an agency.

Secondly,
assess what treatments cause you pain and stop doing them! Perhaps take someone on to do those treatments. If your space is small then you could sit at reception whilst those treatments are being done.

Thirdly,
assess your posture. A full time therapist does have a 7 year shelf life before they start to feel aches, pains, RSI or are burn't out. Think of ways of changing your work around to ensure that you are working for another 7-8 years. (I've been doing massage for 18 years but only ever part time).

Fourthly,
get a regular treatment to maintain your health.

good luck!

 

[littlekate]

I have had shoulder and neck pain in the past from doing lots of nails so I started doing pilates once a week and have found it amazing! I rarely get any pain now and my posture is so much better. It is expensive but I feel it is worth every penny to prevent me having back problems on the future. Give it a try

 

[persianista]

I have rep strain in both arms and tedonitis in my left hand, which as a hairdresser is a problem. Between my gp and an osteopath, they have it under control. My osteopath sorted out my back problems completely ( caused by being so bloody short! I had all my work above shoulder height). Worth a try before you give up.