Let’s be honest, grooming isn’t for the faint-hearted. Whether you’re kneeling on the floor, perched at awkward angles, or standing at a grooming table for prolonged periods of time, your body takes a beating. And whilst we’re all passionate about giving our best to every dog, it’s far too easy to neglect our own wellbeing until aches, pains, or even injuries force us to finally take notice.
The truth? Your body is your most valuable grooming tool. Unlike another tool that may be replaced if it becomes broken, you cannot be replaced. In this post I want to unpack the science behind repetitive strain, share practical exercises you can do between appointments (or even during short breaks), and explore both traditional and holistic therapies to keep you strong, supported, and thriving in your career for many years to come.
Common Pain Points and Repetitive Strain Injuries
The pain is real, and one of the most common arguments against holistic grooming approach is the potential (additional) strain it may have on the groomer’s body.
I get it – I do.
Before I cared to listen to my body, I would kneel on an unsupported floor without ever thinking about the long-term impact that would have on my joints, needless-to-say a few months into this bad practice and I found myself constantly complaining of sore legs.
The same went for my back, when I would find myself twisting and turning around dogs like I was challenging them to a game of Twister – that was until I fell pregnant and 8 months in, suddenly realised that actually, no, this was not the way to go about grooming dogs cooperatively.
But the truth is, it’s not just the holistic grooming approach that places immense pressure on our bodies, and repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are prevalent amongst all groomers, regardless of how they work.
Studies show that up to 60% of pet professionals experience musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in their careers (Smith et al., 2019), with common trouble spots including the:
- lower back
- neck
- shoulders
- wrists (carpal tunnel)
- elbows (tennis elbow), and
- knees.
The real problem isn’t one approach or the other – it’s: repetition, static postures and insufficient recovery periods (Jones & Brown, 2021). AKA – we simply do not know how to use our bodies during certain positions and stances in a way that keeps us stable and strong.
After my own realisation, I turned to my husband who, as a practicing Personal Trainer and Holistic Therapist (for well over a decade by the way), was more than happy to provide me with an endless amount of exercises that would help resolve the issue and prolong my working lifespan.
Core, Back and Arm Strength – It Isn’t Difficult
So there I was, 8 and a half months pregnant, standing in my back door about to take on my first “professional” work-out, and he didn’t go easy on me (or at least, it didn’t feel like he did!).
Written on the piece of paper he had prepared for me was the following
‘Five Exercises to Keep Your Body Strong During Dog Grooming Appointments’:
- Plank holds: strengthen your core and support lower back. Try 3x 30 seconds between appointments.
- Glute bridges: activate glutes and stabilise the pelvis. Try 10 reps during breaks.
- Wrist Flexor/Extensor Stretches: prevent carpal tunnel and tennis elbow. Hold each stretch for 20 seconds, repeat 3 times.
- Resistance Band Rows: build upper back and arm strength. Try 2x 12 reps.
- Neck Retractions: reduce neck strain by gently tucking the chin and holding for 5 seconds, repeat 10 times.
I challenged myself to do what I could 2-3 days out of the week, and the rest of the time I focused more on listening to when I was feeling tired (which was all the time). But I can say that within a couple of weeks, those sessions did make a difference right up until I went on maternity leave.
After I had the baby and was starting to feel myself again, I resumed the above regime and added in some holistic therapies to help prevent the build up of tension and promote relaxation as well, including:
- Kinetic Chain Release (KCR): a gentle therapy targeting musculoskeletal imbalances. One session performed by a certified practitioner (which he is) a week. As it happens, this specific therapy is reported to significantly reduce chronic pain and improve posture (Macdonald, 2018)
- Chiropractic Session: evidence supports its effectiveness in managing lower back pain and improving mobility (Walker et al., 2010). Once a month and then scattering them out to once every couple of months.
- Trigger Point Therapy: One session every couple of months. This therapy targets muscle knots relieving pain and improving overall body function (Simons et al., 2019) – be warned though, it’s sore!
I also realised that I barely drank water throughout the day, living on an endless supply of coffee instead, yet knowing that dehydration can exacerbate muscle fatigue and joint pain, it was time to re-consider my drinking habits while I was on this health kick.
The NHS website advises that you aim for at least 2 litres of water daily (NHS, 2023) – I never got close to 2 litres (possibly 2 glasses), but I figured anything is better than nothing!
Final Thoughts
The point is, prioritising your body’s health is non-negotiable for a sustainable grooming career.
By embedding preventative measures and therapies into your daily routine, you’re not just supporting your own wellbeing and prolonging your working lifespan, but you’re also keeping the animals in your care safe as well.
Ready to take your self-care to the next level?
Download my free 2-minute tension release infographic to get access to my favourite practical exercises that are easy to integrate in your salon straight away.
Why not connect with a community of like-minded people, and join the HGA free Skool Community for free!
And remember: a thriving grooming business starts with a thriving you.
Bibliography
Anderson, P. et al. (2022). The impact of micro-breaks on musculoskeletal health. Occupational Medicine, 72(3), 210-218.
Brown, R.P. & Gerbarg, P.L. (2005). Sudarshan Kriya yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 11(4)m 711-717.
Jones, S. & Brown, T. (2020). Reiki for pain and anxiety: A systematic review. Pain Management Nursing, 21(2), 145-153.
Macdonald, H. (2018). Kinetic Chain Release: A review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 31, 236-240.
NHS (2023). How much water should I drink? https://www.nhs.uk/
Simons, D.G. et al. (2019). Trigger point therapy for myofascial pain. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 23(1), 123-130.
Smith, L. et al. (2019). Prevalence of MSDs in pet care workers. Journal of Occupational Health, 61(2), 102-109.
Walker, B.F. et al. (2010). Chiropractic care for low back pain: A systematic review. Spine Journal, 10(2), 202-212.
