sewing ergonomics or how to sew with out back spasms?
#12
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,798
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ditto to all of the above.
Speak with your chiro, as s/he knows your specific problem areas and should be able to make suggestions.
I am lucky ... while my chiro does not quilt/sew, she appreciates it as her Mom and Sis do. So she knows the potential problems and has helped me a lot.
While not solving the problem ... some relief can come via a tennis ball! Back yourself up to a wall, and set it in place and roll it around on the knotted area. I keep a couple in nylon knee highs, as that way I can put it in place, hold the end, and not be forever chasing it across the floor.
Works great on butt, back, shoulders, ITB, etc. Anywhere you can get it wedged in there and hit the troubled spots! And if you have someone else giving you a massage, and they can't get deep enough into the spots ... give them the tennis ball.
(NOTE ... I said, them giving YOU, the massage, and not the other way around!!!!!! :lol: )
Speak with your chiro, as s/he knows your specific problem areas and should be able to make suggestions.
I am lucky ... while my chiro does not quilt/sew, she appreciates it as her Mom and Sis do. So she knows the potential problems and has helped me a lot.
While not solving the problem ... some relief can come via a tennis ball! Back yourself up to a wall, and set it in place and roll it around on the knotted area. I keep a couple in nylon knee highs, as that way I can put it in place, hold the end, and not be forever chasing it across the floor.
Works great on butt, back, shoulders, ITB, etc. Anywhere you can get it wedged in there and hit the troubled spots! And if you have someone else giving you a massage, and they can't get deep enough into the spots ... give them the tennis ball.
(NOTE ... I said, them giving YOU, the massage, and not the other way around!!!!!! :lol: )
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Prescott Valley, AZ
Posts: 1,329
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Originally Posted by BellaBoo
I had a PT show me exactly the best way to sit and sew so I wouldn't hurt. I sew sitting rim rod straight. I never hunch my shoulders or bend forward toward the machine. I only bend my neck down but never jut my head forward. My machine is sitting low. Bring your hand up until your elbows are 90º to your upper arms, that's the height your sewing machine needs to be. About the height of a pull out keyboard on a computer desk. I tilt the machine forward if I'm sewing for longer then a couple of hours. I took the back off my office chair and that's what I sit on. It swivels and rolls easy, even on carpet. I don't hurt anymore even if I sew all day.
#16
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 166
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Yea, I paint houses for a living. I'm up and down ladders all day every day and yet nothing messes up my back more than sitting at my sewing machine for 8 hours. I really pay for it. I'll have headaches sometimes for three days.
#19
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DC metro area
Posts: 1,286
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Originally Posted by rushdoggie
Can you take some pictures of you at your set up? I am an occupational therapist and know some about ergonomics and if you can send me or post some pics I might be able to help you.:)
Do you want picures of me at the sewing machine? Or just the table and chair?
I think one of my problems is that I'm only 5' tall and it's difficult to find the right chair/desk height combo for sewing.
It has helped that I'm very careful about posture, sitting very straight, trying not to lean forward-but honestly that's really hard when you're sewing. If I do lean forward I try to do it from the waist and keep my shoulders down and the rest of the back straight and my abs activated.
#20
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,798
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Originally Posted by charity-crafter
Originally Posted by rushdoggie
Can you take some pictures of you at your set up? I am an occupational therapist and know some about ergonomics and if you can send me or post some pics I might be able to help you.:)
Do you want picures of me at the sewing machine? Or just the table and chair?
I think one of my problems is that I'm only 5' tall and it's difficult to find the right chair/desk height combo for sewing.
It has helped that I'm very careful about posture, sitting very straight, trying not to lean forward-but honestly that's really hard when you're sewing. If I do lean forward I try to do it from the waist and keep my shoulders down and the rest of the back straight and my abs activated.
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