Health

How can I relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

July 30, 2014 | Bookmark +

I’m suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. Do you have any suggestions on how I can relieve the problem?

Answer

You can reduce the potential for damage by changing some of your techniques. One I used when I began having symptoms of carpal tunnel was “building to finish,” meaning do not add any more product than you need so you do not have to take it back off — build it to be what you want as a finished product. This takes practice and a good eye, but it works.

In the first years of being a nail tech, most of us add product here and there and end up adding way too much. Thin your tip as you build, build the shape (as much as you can), and most importantly, do not over-build. This dramatically reduces three things: the amount of time you build, the amount of time for finish, and the amount of product you use. The rewards are half the stress on your wrists, less time on each client, and less product to purchase.

Also, whenever my wrist started feeling tired, a bit achy, or generally like I was headed for trouble, I put on one of those stiff wrist guards (purchased at a drugstore) while I worked and also at night while I slept. Later, I could go to nights only for a while. This usually took about two weeks at work, and a few more wearing them at night. 

— Janet McCormick (www.janetmccormick.com) is a nail technician of 34 years and co-owner of Medinail Learning Center.

Bookmark +

What’s the cause of the pinkish-red oval area on the pad of my client’s toes?

I have a client who has a recurring problem with her fourth toes during the winter months. Both of her “ring finger” toes develop a pinkish-red oval area on the pad. Then a month later, when I see her again, the skin has become dry and hard like a callus, with the layers of skin peeling away to reveal a deeper, dark epicenter.  It’s extremely painful for her and, needless to say, we do not touch it. But it clears up in the summer when she’s wearing open-toed sandals, so I suspect it has to be due to the boots she wears in the winter. Plus she never puts lotion on her feet or uses a foot file in between visits. What do you think causes this?

We respect your data and privacy.
By clicking the submit button below, you are agreeing with Bobit’s Privacy Policy and this outlined level of consent.

Bookmark +

What are the big white spots on my natural-nail client’s nails?

I have a client who has been with me for about two years. She used to wear acrylic nails but has been a natural nail client for eight months or so. She has these white spots on her nails — big spots that are dry, but not flaky, right in the middle of the nail. I did try to buff them lightly but they do not come off or grow off. I had a new client come in last week who had the same on her toenails. She said it started after she had a pedicure done at another salon. Can you help?

Load More
a Bobit media brand

Create your free Bobit Connect account to bookmark content.

The secure and easy all-access connection to your content.
Bookmarked content can then be accessed anytime on all of your logged in devices!

Create Account