Scratch chats to nail tech, Jo Bennett, about her experiences as a nail technician suffering with chronic condition, endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a condition which targets the uterus, causing tissue, similar to the lining of the uterus, to grow outside of it. Common symptoms include, but aren’t limited to, severe pelvic pain and extreme period pain. Affecting 1 in 10 women worldwide, the Andover-based nail artist seeks to raise awareness for the condition.

Here, Jo offers insight into living with endometriosis, alongside being a wife and a mother of twins with additional needs, and running her nail business, Jo Bennett Nails & Beauty.

“Having a chronic pain condition is far from ideal when life has to carry on regardless,” Jo shares.

When she first qualified in nails and started her business, she showed no symptoms and was completely unaware of her condition. It wasn’t until 2021 when she was diagnosed via laparoscopic surgery, and had a second surgery in 2022.

In 2023, the condition became debilitating, forcing Bennett out of her salon space for months. “I rent my own space in The Commercial Centre, but last year I had to take six months off work, as I was so poorly with my condition. This meant paying rent but not earning any money and having to recommend other nail techs to my clients.”

“I was absolutely heartbroken and scared of losing my business, but if a flare-up is bad, then I physically cannot sit at a nail desk and do nails. [The condition] also affects me mentally, so my mood is often low and withdrawn, and I struggle to sit and chat to someone throughout an appointment.”

Jo explains her personal symptoms, which typically present as flare-ups of extreme abdominal pain: “The discomfort can be such that my body clenches in the foetal position and I have to take painkillers,” she shares. “I also get extremely fatigued, which means it wouldn’t be physically possible to try and do a set of nails properly or safely. I get back pain which can be awful, and nausea, too.”

Despite many clients remaining understanding and supportive, her return to the salon in December 2023 came with its own challenges. “I had lost 16 regular clients, which was  difficult to deal with. It’s so hard to try and run a business around an illness that means you feel fine one day, and are bedbound the next. I think clients struggle to understand how debilitating endometriosis is, unless they have experienced it themselves.”

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Communication and honesty have been at the forefront of Jo’s business approach and, she believes, key to strengthening her client relationships. “I’ve always been very open with clients about my health issues and honest with them when I have to cancel their appointments, which I think has strengthened the bond between us. It also helps to raise awareness of the condition.”

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She continues: “If I know I may experience a flare-up of my condition, I let my clients know and reassure them that I will reschedule for as soon as possible. I also recommend other local nail techs who can help meet their appointment needs. Some of my clients will often send a message to check on me or bring a present to their next appointment, which is so meaningful!

“Due to having to cancel last-minute at times, I am fairly lenient with clients when something comes up for them. I like my clients to know that me cancelling an appointment is a last resort, and that I appreciate that it may mean they have to shuffle commitments.”

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Jo’s top tips for working with endometriosis:

• Wear comfortable clothes such as a loose fitting jumper and leggings, ensuring no pressure is on the stomach.
• Use hot water bottles or heat patches on areas of discomfort.
• Get up and stretch between clients.
• Don’t overload your days and weeks – making sure you get enough rest to prevent fatigue.

Follow Jo on Instagram: @jo_bennett_nails_and_beauty