Stylists who feel well, work well… especially for creatives like yourself. The physical demand of spending the day on your feet with the repetitive movements of shampooing, cutting and blow drying are ripe for injury, strain, and pain.

“Duh,” you may be saying right now, so let me get to the point… Increasing your flexibility will lower your risk of stress and injury and it only takes a few minutes out of your day.

A healthy hairstylist understands that special attention needs to be paid to your neck, wrists, and hands. Below, you’ll discover the 4 stretches you should start doing today! Without them, you are taking a chance with your money making skills.

Neck Stretch

Nerves that innervate the muscles of your arms and hands begin in your cervical spine, aka your neck. This is why starting at the neck in this sequence is important.

• Inhale and look up for 10 seconds.
• Exhale and lower your chin to your chest for 10 seconds.
• Inhale and bring your head to the center.
• Exhale and lower your right ear towards your shoulder for 10 seconds.
• Inhale and bring your head to the center.
• Exhale and lower your left ear towards your shoulder for 10 seconds.
• Repeat 3 times

Wrist Stretch

• Sit down, lift your arms over your head and interlace your fingers with your palms together and facing towards your head.
• While your fingers are interlaced, turn your palms up to face the ceiling. Don’t worry if your arms do not straighten completely. Straighten them the best you can without pain.
• Hold for 10 seconds and lower your arms.
• Repeat 3 times.

Thumb Stretch

• Create a fist with your right hand and point your thumb towards the ceiling.
• Gently pull back on your thumb with your free hand and resist the force with your thumb.
• Hold for 10 seconds and switch to your left hand.
• Perform 3 times per hand.

Fingers Stretch

• Stand and place your palms facing together in front of your face.
• Bring your elbows to your body’s center and touch them together.
• Slowly spread your elbows apart while lowering your hands to waist height.
• When your hands are in front of your belly button stop and hold for 10 seconds.
• Bring your hands back to the height of your face and relax for 5 seconds.
• Repeat 3 more times.