Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/135515
ABMP has partnered with Crocs and Pedestrian Shops to bring discounted shoes to members. To access the 2 good! Keeping your nails trimmed is not only hygienic, but helps you prevent poor hand ergonomics. Nails Yes, the length of your nails can also affect your body mechanics. Therapists with short nails do not hesitate to use the fingers or thumbs, and the hand can work in a soft, flexible, and relaxed fashion (Image 2). Therapists with longer nails are often concerned with scratching or hurting the client, which results in tense muscles and poor hand use. If your client can feel your nails, your nails are too long. Remember, nails should be kept short to allow for hand flexibility and client safety. And, as with controlled hair, short nails are more hygienic. websites of discount providers, log in to www.abmp.com and scroll down to "Discounts for Members." Shoes As a manual therapist, you are standing and moving on your feet throughout the majority of your day. Therefore, it is vital that the shoes you wear are comfortable and supportive for the kind of work you do. As you know, painful feet can cause problems in your ankles, knees, hips, and back. Bringing awareness to your footwear now will better protect the longevity of your practice. Think about your shoes as part of the equipment that makes your job easier. Like your table and chair, the shoes you wear contribute to your comfort and performance level. When shopping for shoes, keep in mind that most feet swell approximately one shoe size (about 5 percent) over the course of a day. As your feet swell, they begin to take up more volume within the shoe. Therefore, it is smart to shop for shoes later in the day. If you prefer to work barefoot or in socks, this is fine as long as you can stand for several hours at a time and remain comfortable. If, however, you find that your feet are constantly sore, wearing supportive shoes may be the answer. Consider buying a walking shoe or a crosstrainer, both of which provide a good base of support and are designed for people who are active on their feet. Wearing nonslip shoes is a good idea in situations where the floor can be wet (e.g., a spa or cruise ship). Barb Frye has been a massage educator and therapist since 1990. She coordinated IBM's body mechanics program and authored Body Mechanics for Manual Therapists: A Functional Approach to Self-Care (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2010), now in its third edition. She has a massage and Feldenkrais practice at the Pluspunkt Center for Therapy and Advanced Studies near Zurich, Switzerland. Contact her at barbfrye@hotmail.com. www.abmp.com. See what benefits await you. 49