Melissa Fusco: Actively Sitting Takes Its Toll
By Melissa Fusco
The single best tool that artists have to work with is their own hands. Often I hear clients tell me that my hands must hurt from tattooing hours-on-end. In my experience my hands are the last to feel fatigue and if so, the first to recuperate. The hands are an amazing and complex tool that can withstand hours of repetitive work, their strength, stamina, flexibility and movement is incomparable and cannot be replicated… (more…)
Brandon Collins: Health and Wellness Tips For Tattooers
By Brandon Collins
It’s fairly common knowledge that being a tattooer isn’t the healthiest of professions. For some of us, our days consist of smoking cigs, drinking, eating and sitting (and sadly more of the latter). Working 10-12 hour days with little to no breaks can do a number on, not only your physique, but your overall health and wellness. Luckily, with some dedication and a few sacrifices… it doesn’t have to be… (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Mike Rubendall)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: What type of physical problem have you encountered due to tattooing?
Mike Rubendall: Before I was physically active and aware of what being in good health was, I had major back and neck pain. It seems to be a common problem amongst tattooers due to poor posture and long hours of tattooing throughout the years.
Have you had to see a doctor, chiropractor, masseuse therapist, acupuncturist or anything similar because of problems or because you want to avoid them?
I would regularly see a massage and physical therapist. They have been helpful for me for the most part. However, I feel maintaining a healthy diet and exercise is a more effective method to avoid any type of chronic pain caused by tattooing… (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Nick Baxter)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: What type of physical problems have you encountered due to tattooing?
Nick Baxter: Obviously tattooing can put strain on your fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, neck, spine and lower back. In broader terms, all of these body parts are connected, like a series of stops on a train. The physical action of sitting and extending your arms, making small, repetitive hand motions over long periods of time puts stress on the body that just goes down the continuous line of interconnected body parts. I deal with pain, strain, and discomfort in all of these areas on a regular basis… (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Jesse Smith)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: What type of physical problems have you encountered due to tattooing?
Jesse Smith: I’ve definitely had a few issues with carpal tunnel here and there. As well as a few nerve issues in my shoulders and arms. I’ve also noticed that my hearing has suffered because of the constant buzzing over the years… (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Kari Barba)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: What type of physical problem have you encountered due to tattooing?
Kari Barba: I have encountered back, neck and hand pain for sure. I think we all get that.
Have you had to see a doctor, chiropractor, masseuse therapist, acupuncturist or anything similar because problems or because you want to avoid them? (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Mike Giant)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: Did you encounter any type of physical problems when you were tattooing?
Mike Giant: Yes, my neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists and fingers would always hurt after a long day of tattooing. It took its toll over the years. These days I can only tattoo once or twice a week because of the pain… (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Seth Ciferri)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: What type of physical problems have you encountered do to tattooing?
Seth Ciferri: A lot of it is from sitting all hunched over for so long… I developed this weird muscle mass in my mid back. It was there because I had such poor posture while working, due to a lack of core strength. It’s taken years of weight training, massage therapy, and chiropractic work to get it straightened out. Core strength is KEY in maintaining good posture while working. It will help ensure a long and comfortable career… (more…)
Health Issues With Tattooing (Marcus Kuhn)
By Petri Aspvik
Petri Aspvik: What type of physical problem have you encountered do to tattooing?
Marcus Kuhn: After 20 years I have pain in my number 11 acupuncture point just southeast of my right scapula as a result of the long swoop of lining and the repetitive pulse of the mag work. After four hours my shoulder becomes congested and starts to fill with fluid. like a nose when you are congested with the flu. The body is responding to the inflammation of the tissue by sending fluid to the area. At night my shoulder sometimes pulses with pain… The fluid takes three hours or more to drain. I have also lost a register of my hearing from the frequency of the ultrasonics and the running machines… (more…)
Thanks for your support!
