My cutting table is 34 inches because I am not very tall...I too had a lot of back pain since I sew lots of drapery and was using my sons' ping pong table...now it is better...felt awkward at first but it has really helped my back...I did a lot of reading about ergonomics too and read that your cutting table should be 1 inch lower than your elbows, (when you angle them) that is so that you don't smash your elbows into it...and for me it was good advice...my chair goes up and down as I need and I also have a taller stool with a back so that I can also sit at the cutting table..