I have done most of the things mentioned by other posters. My machine tilts forward, I use an office chair that is adjustable. I have a foot rest of the same height for the foot that is not using the control pedal. Everything about my sewing machine set up is designed just for me and to keep my arms and neck at the right angle to protect them. My cutting, pressing and pin basting area are actually on another floor in my house which requires me to get up and move. While I only machine quilt Linus quilts and small projects like table runners and wallhangings I do produce at least 20 Linus quilts a month so I do a bit of sewing. I have various aches and pains which were made worse by a rare autoimmune disease that I contracted in 2000. After surviving that disease that played havoc with my muscles and joints and the wear and tear of at least 45 years of sewing and quilting I am still here and still going strong. I am fortunate enough to have been a stay at home wife the majority of my 34 years of marriage so I am able to make time for my quilting passion. I still manage to read at least two or three hours each day.
My only reacommendation is to set your sewing setup as ergonomiclly as possible. It does make a big difference.