Workplace ergonomics in mobile podiatry and foot care
Anyone who spends their working day in a bent position knows that the back, neck and shoulders are particularly sensitive areas. Podiatrists, foot care professionals and beauticians often work for hours on end in the same position. So that you stay symptom-free in the long term, it is worth taking targeted preventive measures – with simple exercises that can be quickly integrated into your everyday routine.
Ergonomics - more than just a word
In your daily work, you are dedicated to ensuring that your patients live with healthy feet. But for you to be able to continue this, it is imperative that you adapt your workplace to your physical needs. Without consideration of your personal well-being, the treatments, which last on average 45 minutes, cannot be carried out without causing long-term health problems. Fortunately, there is the subject of ergonomics: it is the science of optimal adaptation between people and technology in view of their working conditions. Making adjustments is not as diffi cult as it seems. No matter what your budget looks like there are plenty of ergonomic solutions.
In this section, we present simple but effective exercises that you can easily integrate into your daily routine. The rule here is: ‘It's better to do something regularly and for a short time than rarely and for a long time.’ Use the short breaks between appointments to actively loosen and strengthen your muscles. Even climbing stairs between two customers can be seen as an important training session – think of it as a little workout in your day-to-day work that others have to do in the gym. Then you'll stay mobile, healthy and fit for your job!
More motion as compensation
Exercise: Screw
Objective: To loosen the shoulder muscles
How to do it: Cross your arms in front of your chest and put your left hand on your right shoulder. Move your shoulders in small, quick right-left turns while your hips stay still.
Repetitions: 3 times daily, 30 seconds each
Tip: Integrate into your routine while talking on the phone or between treatments.
Exercise: Picking apples
Objective: Strengthen the arm and shoulder muscles
How to do it: Imagine you are sitting under an apple tree. Alternately stretch your arms upwards to pick the imaginary fruit.
Repetitions: 3 times a day for 30 seconds each
Tip: Promotes blood circulation in the arms
Exercise: Palm tree exercise
Objective: To relax the shoulder and neck muscles
How to do it: Like a palm tree in the wind, gently lean to the right and left. With you, let your hand slide down the side of your body in a relaxed manner. Your head should follow the motion effortlessly, while your ear tilts towards your shoulder.
Repetitions: 3 times daily, 10 seconds each
Exercise: Neck giraffe
Objective: Stretching the neck muscles
How to do it: Place your right hand on your left ear and slowly turn your head to the right. Stretch your left shoulder and hand down as far as possible. Now repeat the exercise on the other side.
Repetitions: 2x daily, 10 seconds each
Tip: Always stretch both sides
Exercise: Hand press
Objective: Strengthen the chest muscles
How to do it: Bring both palms together in front of your chest and press them together vigorously without raising your shoulders. Try to hold the tension for five seconds.
Repetitions: 2x daily, 5 seconds each
Tip: Close your eyes while doing this.
Exercise: Gold medal
Objective: Stretching the chest muscles
How to do it: Imagine that you have just been named ‘Mobile Podiatrist of the Year’ and are wearing a heavy gold medal that is pulling you forward. Now slowly straighten up, vertebra by vertebra. Then support your hands on your lower back and lean back in a relaxed position. Alternatively, sit on a chair, put your hands behind your neck and bend forward once and then backward.
Repetitions: 1x daily, 30 seconds
Tip: Perfect for the end of the day
