RSI - injury help :(

[xxlauracrossxx]

i think i have reppetative strain injury:cry:
when i have done lots of clients, my wrists are so bad i cant sleep.
i dont no what to do. there is no chance of giving up nails. i love my job.
i do between 8 to 15 nails a day 6 days week from paint to extentions. my wrists seem to be really bad if ive had a lot to tense clients who wont/cant relax there hands unless i say RELAX ten times through the treatment.
the obvious thing would be is to cut down on my work but i cant im too busy and i love it, it makes me happy! (sorry if that sounds sad)

*is there anything i can do?
*anything i can use / wear to help?
*advise

please help me!!
thank you for any advise
laura

 

[gillian w]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but listen to your body ..obviously you are doing too much.I used to do loads of massage as did many people i used to work for and still know and trust me we didn't listen and are paying for it now.
I cant do hardly any massage now and im only 44.
If you want longevity you need to pace yourself.Maybe more varied work do more waxing ,lash tinting anything where by you keep earning and working but you are not using the same muscles/joints over and over. Some people never have any probs but if its showing now you must take notice.
An osteopath made a huge difference to my wrists i was starting to get tingling up my arm and since i went to him its been fine up until last few weeks so im going to book again soon.

 

[xxlauracrossxx]

:cry:
im sad now
im only 20.
did you try using wrist supports if so did this help?
im really worried.....

 

[beautynails]

What did the oesteopath do?

 

[gillian w]

What did the oesteopath do?

Massaged the hands and arms and then kind of moved my whole hand and wrist in a rythmic circular motion while splaying out the little bones in the hands and wrists he spent about 15 mins on one hand/arm.It felt quite uncomfortable at first but it has worked although i need to go back now after about 3 months for a top up as its starting to tingle again.

 

[moopie]

Have you tried an ACE bandage, available at any drug/super store? I had very bad carpal tunnel a few years ago (and im young too, dont feel bad) from using my mouse on my computer too much - i have a job using the computer ALL day. I'd try it - it offers support so you dont turn your wrist so much, and basically forces you to move your whole arm/elbow instead of the constant wrist movement.

Maybe you could also try helping some of your more tense clients relax - have you tried music, and/or a light fragrance in the air? Sometimes this can really help those stubborn clients!

I'd also put up a funny sign behind your chair, so it's really facing the client as you do their nails, saying something similar (bless whoever said it, im so sorry i can't remember who it was or where i read it on here) to "I'm getting paid to do your nails, I can't do that if you keep looking at them!"

Maybe then, their unconscious want to keep holding stiff will make them quietyly embarassed..lol

I'd also try offering a mini massage BEFORE the service, maybe even for a little extra, or as a complimentary thing for your regulars every once and awhile. HTH!! GL

 

[perfectbeauty]

if it is bad - you need to get medical advice - by seeing your doctor you can see what alternatives you have open to you

I had wrist splints - which were ok during the day but not a long term solution

I then had an injection in to my hands - this solved the problem for about 3 months

I then had surgery - which was done about 2 years ago and was great for quite a long while - but I recently have had some problems during the night although nowhere near like before the surgery so i dont regret having it done and i can live with it now

i know a couple of people who also had surgery and it is starting to trouble them again after a few years - but on the other hand i know people who it cured completely

if you have problems sleeping with it - try sleeping with your arms out of the bed or placing your hands flat on a part of your body so that have natural curl to them (if you know what i mean) - i find they are a lot worse if i have had my hands closed

hth
nicola
x

 

[geeg]

I'd also put up a funny sign behind your chair, so it's really facing the client as you do their nails, saying something similar (bless whoever said it, im so sorry i can't remember who it was or where i read it on here) to "I'm getting paid to do your nails, I can't do that if you keep looking at them!"

That would be me!!

I used to work just like you all day every day and never have I had a twinge of discomfort --- largely due to good ergonomics and also finding filing and buffing so boring that I spent my career learning the techniques to avoid doing it any more than was absolutely necessary.

If you concentrate on doing the most perfect nails you can do using your brush, then you won't have to do much buffing or filing.

If you apply your tips with the well removed as much as possible or (better still) sculpt the nails, it will save you much blending time.

If you use a UV top coat to add the finished shine rather than buffing to a high gloss with a buffer, you will also save buffing, time and expense.

If you are going to avoid the problems and pain associated with RSI then you have to change your techniques. Many of these are taught in the book 'nailclass'.

The above are 3 easy ways, I think, to avoid too much wear and tear on the wrist.

 

[Susie H]

Hi hun, as already said, first things first, see your doctor, you might be able to do something really simple, to sort this out, like resting your arms on a rolled up towel which would change the angle that you work at just slightly, or you might be hunching your shoulders while you work and the problems are actually in your back?
The solution for my pain was an E-file, I only use it after the acrylic has been applied for the file and shape and I now use looks wet top coat from Creative rather then doing a glass buff. But I can't say it enough hun, see your doctor:smack::hug:

 

[izzidoll]

Lot's to agree with here,, you definitely need a proper diagnosis and course of treatment from your Dr.
The tips Geeg gave are spot on...of course.

I had to give up an earlier career because of an injury to my elbow. I had months of physio,a cortisone injection, and finally surgery.
Nothing really worked and I could still have problems if I did not use pain management techniques.
Even when I was run off my feet in the Salon I did everything I could to prevent any flare ups in my elbow. I would stretch in between clients, and I perfected my application to do less filing as Geeg has commented on.

You need to go to your Doctor who can treat you and get this under control and refer you to either a physiotherapist or someone who can help you learn pain management and ergonomics.

Ignoring it and carrying on working the way you are can only make it worse, and permanent!.