Professional Skin Care
As a spa professional, you work hard to keep your clients comfortable, relaxed, and healthy. But what about you? A hands-on, physical job takes a toll on your body. After three back-to-back hour-long massages or facials, you might notice a sore back, tingling in your feet, or strain in your wrists.
Here are practical ways to ease body aches and protect your body while you work. The better you care for yourself, the better you can care for others.
What Happens If I Neglect My Body?
Standing and doing repetitive hand motions all day can lead to pain in your feet, back, legs, hands, and wrists. Repeating the same movements over long periods is a common cause of injury in the U.S. Many spa treatments call for these repeated motions, which can cause repetitive strain injuries (RSI). If left unchecked, these issues can lead to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. To avoid this, try the tips below to reduce stress on your hands, wrists, and body through the day. Here are five simple ways to prevent and ease aches and pains.
5 Tips To Reduce Body Aches & Pains
1. Hand Care
For treatments like manicures or facials where your hands stay at an angle, try to keep your arms and wrists straight when possible. Vary the types of services you do throughout the day. If you already feel tingling or swelling, use an ice pack or cold compress on your wrists and hands. Wearing a night splint may help, but check with your doctor if you have numbness, pain, or ongoing tingling.
2. Choose Supportive Footwear
Standing is part of the job, so pick shoes that support your feet. Avoid strappy shoes, thin flats, or heels. Use cushioned shoes or add supportive insoles. Orthotics can improve comfort, posture, and reduce joint stress. Small habits help too: shift your weight from side to side, keep your knees soft (don’t lock them), or rock onto your toes and back on your heels to ease calf tension.
3. Stretch
It’s easy to focus on clients and forget yourself. Book massages, take baths, or set aside time to stretch and relax your body. Stretching helps when you stay in one position too long and can prevent common hand and wrist issues like carpal tunnel. It also helps reduce muscle fatigue, tendon inflammation from repetitive movements, and the strain that can lead to varicose veins.
A simple calf stretch: stand on the edge of a step with your core pulled in, toes on the step, heels hanging off. Rise onto your tiptoes, hold briefly, then lower your heels below step level. Repeat 10 times.
4. Exercise & Movement Breaks
Long periods of standing, sitting, or bending—especially combined with little exercise—can contribute to lower back pain. Your body needs regular position changes. Long-term, focus on exercises that strengthen your lower body and back. Short-term, switch postures during the day and take brief walks between appointments to ease pressure on your feet and spine.
5. Self-Care & Massages
Regular massages reduce stress, ease muscle pain, release knots, and improve circulation—helpful after a busy workweek. Make time to receive treatments yourself; they’re an investment in your health and work quality. Use heat pads during massage to relax sore neck or back muscles.
For jaw and facial tension, try a facial massage two to three times a week. It boosts circulation, eases tightness, and can lift and tone your skin.
Do you get body aches? What self-care routines help you at home? Share your tips in the comments or on social media. You can also learn how to become an Eminence Organics Spa Partner here.