amma

Maybe stop every 15 minutes, stretch, and then continue? Try raising/lowering your chair then too, moving it one inch either way helps a lot :D:D:D

QuiltE

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: )

ShirlinAZ

This is the key. It will also help to use a footrest if necessary so that your knees are 90º from your buttocks and from your feet.

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.

:)

LivelyLady

I can relate. My chiropractor has to work the knots out of my back, and like you I want to sew for much longer times. I like the idea everbtrue posted about the weights. I'm going to try them.

pjemark

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.

Greenheron

LOL, Beth, did you practice on that pup in the chair?

rushdoggie

:D

charity-crafter

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.

QuiltE

With your saying your height, I'd think for sure it's the height of your chair/table ... suggestions have been given on how to get that right! So to get your arms at 90degrees, you'll need the seat of your chair higher, or the sewing machine lower .... do you have a lower table to try it on? even just temporary, to see if it helps? That way it may avoid the problems of your feet being able to touch the foot pedal.