You might try putting door stops under the back of your machine if you do not have a built in. The tilted position of the machine takes the stress out of your shoulders.
I am currently setting up my quilting room in the back side of my garage. 11oo square feet of house, 3 boys, and one DH, sent me to the garage. I hope to make a quilting area that is large enough to support the entire quilt while I am quilting.
You might want to read through this web site.
http://www.daystyledesigns.com/confirm.htm
There are great tips for quilting. I have spent hours on this site, but of course not quite as much time as I spend right here!
Happy Quilting!