Body Pain, No Gain

We’re all pretty familiar with the “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song. It was a staple of early education—whether as an earnest attempt to teach us where our limbs are or as a desperate teacher’s last-ditch effort to wrangle a rowdy bunch of five-year-olds before the final school bell. We sang, we danced, we learned.

But have you ever tried doing the actions after a full day of grooming dogs?

If you haven’t, we don’t suggest it… it hurts. So much so we’ve decided to aptly rename it to “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Woes”.

But when does body pain jump (albeit achingly) out of the ‘just-part-of-the-job’ category and become something we should be genuinely concerned about long-term?

myalgia

No, that’s not the hot new baby name for 2025 - the word actually means muscle aches and pains. And it can show up anywhere in your body where there’s muscle tissue (which, unfortunately for us, is a lot of places).

There are more than 600 muscles in the human body that let us do some pretty snazzy (and very handy) things like breathe, eat, walk, talk -oh and groom dogs- but that’s a whole lot of muscle tissue exposed to possible aches and pains. In our profession, we’re prime candidates for aches and pains thanks to repetitive motions, prolonged standing, heavy lifting, and that signature hunched-over posture.

All aboard the Myalgia Express! Should we say choo-choo or boo-hoo, Driver?

WHEN IS IT MORE THAN “JUST PART OF THE JOB?”

Remember when we asked when body pain should officially leave the “just part of the job” category? The answer: yesterday, last week, or as soon as you noticed it.

According to Better Health Victoria, muscle disorders can lead to weakness, pain, loss of movement, and in severe cases—paralysis.

We hear you: “But igroomhub, my back hurts—I don’t have a muscle disorder. Relaxxxx!”

Well, Better Health’s list of causes for muscle disorders includes injury, overuse, sprains, strains, cramps, tendonitis, and inflammation. Sound familiar? Yeah… boo-hoo, Driver.

But don’t worry—you’re not stuck on this train forever!

ChoosE Your Fighter: Who Can Help?

We’re lucky to live in a time when physical therapy options are abundant. But with so many choices, it can feel overwhelming—like staring at a buffet but being too indecisive to grab a plate.

So, we’ve broken it down into bite-sized pieces:

Who You Gonna Call? (No, Not Ghostbusters)

1. Physical Therapist (PT) – Ideal for posture-related pain, muscle imbalances, and injury recovery through exercise programs and manual therapy.

2. Osteopath – Uses hands-on techniques like joint manipulation and soft tissue therapy to improve mobility and circulation.

3. Chiropractor – Addresses spinal misalignments, stiffness, and nerve-related pain with spinal adjustments.

4. Physiotherapist – Helps restore movement and function through targeted rehab plans, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercises.

5. Massage Therapist – Provides relief for muscle tension, stress-related tightness, and minor injuries through deep tissue work.

6. Occupational Therapist – Focuses on adapting workspaces and body mechanics to prevent strain injuries.

7. Acupuncturist – Offers alternative pain relief using fine needles to promote healing and relaxation.

(Disclaimer: We’re groomers, not doctors. Always consult a medical professional for advice!)

What Can You Do at Work?

While you explore your options, here are some quick wins to help combat muscle and joint pain during your workday:

• Invest in ergonomic tools – Lightweight scissors and vibration-dampening clippers can make a world of difference.

• Maintain good posture – Keep your back straight and adjust your table height to avoid hunching.

• Take regular breaks – Micro-breaks help prevent overuse injuries.

• Stretch and strengthen daily – We’ve got a great video with Dr. Natalie Bird on stretching. Watch it here.

• Lift properly – Bend at the knees and grab a team member for heavy dogs.

• Rotate tasks – Switch between scissoring, clipping, brushing, and bathing to avoid overworking the same muscles.

If you haven’t tried any of these yet, trust us—you don’t want to end up with a case of “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Woes.”

Your Health is Your Career

Prioritizing your physical well-being isn’t just about comfort—it’s about career longevity. The earlier you address those niggles and aches, the longer and healthier your grooming career will be.

So, let’s step off the Myalgia Express and onto a path that keeps us feeling strong and pain-free. Your body (and your future self) will thank you for it!

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