Your Body Almanac

Cashier

Scan, bag, repeat, for hours in the same small space.

Cashiering is small, fast movements repeated thousands of times while standing in one spot. Wrists, shoulders and necks take the repetition, feet and legs take the standing, and the steady stream of customers adds its own strain.

01

Wrist, hand and shoulder strain from scanning

Sliding and lifting items across a scanner, twisting to bag and reaching for heavy products repeats the same motions all shift. Cashiers have higher rates of wrist and shoulder overuse problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

SourcesCarpal tunnel syndrome (OrthoInfo, AAOS)Ergonomics (OSHA)
Stretch your wrists and forearmsDailyGentle wrist flexor and extensor stretches for hands that type, grip or tap all day. Do tendon glides for your handsDailyMove your fingers through five positions to help the tendons slide smoothly through the wrist. Vary your grip and postureDailySwitch hands, tasks and positions so the same muscles and tendons are not loaded for hours.
02

Standing still in one spot

Standing without walking is harder on the body than moving around. Blood pools in the legs, feet ache, and the lower back stiffens over a long shift.

SourcesVaricose veins (MedlinePlus)Foot pain (NHS)
Make long standing easierDailyUse a cushioned mat or insoles, shift your weight and take breaks when your job keeps you on your feet. Wear supportive shoesAs neededChoose shoes that fit well and suit your activity, and replace them when they wear out. Do calf raisesWeeklyRise onto your toes to strengthen calves and ankles for standing, walking and running.
03

Neck and upper-back tension

Looking down at a scanner and screen while twisting toward the bagging area holds the neck and shoulders in one tense position. Stiffness and headaches can follow.

SourcesNeck pain (NHS)
Do chin tucksDailyGlide your head straight back to counter the forward-head posture that screens and desks encourage. Stretch the sides of your neckDailySlow side tilts to loosen neck and upper-shoulder muscles that tense up at desks. Stretch your chest in a doorwayDailyOpen up chest and shoulder muscles that tighten from hunching over desks, steering wheels and phones.
04

Customer stress

A steady flow of customers, some impatient or hostile, keeps you switched on all shift. That ongoing stress can follow you home and affect sleep.

SourcesStress (NHS)Workplace violence (OSHA)
Practice slow breathingDailyTake five minutes to breathe slowly and deeply, such as box breathing with a count of four for each step. Keep a consistent sleep scheduleDailyGo to bed and get up at the same times every day, weekends included, and aim for at least 7 hours.

When to see a professional

See a doctor for numbness or tingling in your fingers, especially at night, wrist or shoulder pain that lasts more than a few weeks, or painful, swollen leg veins.