My pain is not terrible, but my neck and shoulders do seize up when I sew for hours. I find that a good chair the right height helps a lot. Also it helps to stop and do a few neck rotations, and shoulder shrugs every half hour or so too. I try to get up every so often too. Just sitting for a long time hurts my back as well as my neck. Hope this helps you. Sewing is too important and fun to give it up. It is worth finding what works for you to ease your owies.