n the bustling world of dog grooming, where every snip and trim counts towards the perfect coat, the importance of posture often takes a backseat. Yet, behind the scenes of the grooming table lies a silent danger—awkward posture in standing—that can wreak havoc on the body of groomers, leading to a plethora of musculoskeletal injuries, and even heart disease.
Standing may seem like a benign activity, but prolonged periods of it, especially in awkward postures, can have dire consequences. Beyond a certain threshold, typically around eight minutes, the body starts to experience what is known as “postural sway.” Postural sway is the body’s natural response to gravity, where it tenses up to maintain stability. However, this tension often manifests in locking the knees and hips, setting the stage for a cascade of health issues.
When the knees lock, the calf muscles—often referred to as the “second heart”—are disengaged, impeding the efficient return of blood to the heart. This leads to blood pooling in the feet and legs, increasing the risk of circulatory problems and contributing to the development of heart disease over time. The heart, burdened by this inefficient blood flow, faces strain and may falter in its function, setting the stage for cardiovascular complications.
Similarly, when the hips lock, they induce muscle apathy in the core muscles, which are the very foundation of posture and spinal support. With weakened core muscles, the spine becomes vulnerable to degeneration, as it lacks the necessary support to maintain its natural curvature. This deterioration can lead to chronic back pain, spinal misalignment and a host of related issues that can severely impact the groomer’s quality of life.
Moreover, locked hips impair the body’s ability to pivot at the hips when bending forward, a movement crucial in grooming tasks. Instead, groomers compensate by bending at the spine, placing undue stress on the vertebrae and increasing the risk of herniated discs and spinal degeneration. This improper bending not only compromises the spine’s integrity, but also exacerbates existing muscular imbalances, further perpetuating the cycle of pain and dysfunction.
The stress that groomers experience causes them to pull and tug the dogs closer so they don’t hurt their back, instead of moving to the dogs with proper hip hinge. This improper technique further strains their muscles and joints, contributing to the overall burden on their bodies.
This dynamic creates a vicious cycle where the groomer’s stress feeds into the dog’s agitation, and vice versa. The more the dog reacts, the more frustrated the groomer becomes, leading to increased tension and difficulty in handling the grooming process. In turn, this exacerbates the groomer’s physical strain as they struggle to manage an uncooperative or anxious animal.
Cathy Sitek is a certified Ergonomist and the driving force behind Human Balance & Stability Systems. With a background in manufacturing as a toolmaker, Cathy faced crippling pain in her back, neck, legs, and feet. Advised to quit or undergo surgery, she pioneered a solution: the StandRite-Pro (www.standritepro.com), her patented ergonomic device for standing workers. As the founder of Human Balance & Stability Systems and the dedicated Ergonomist for her daughter’s dog grooming company, United Dog Grooming, she ensures comfort and optimal performance in the pet grooming industry, prioritizing the well-being of groomers and the pets they care for.
