You might see if you can get a copy of 'Perfect Hand Quilting without Pain' by Liuxin Newman (aka Thimblelady). Her method does not require pricking the finger, and also eliminates finger and wrist stress.
When I hand quilt, I need something to take the weight of the quilt or it causes shoulder problems. If sitting on the couch, I put a chair back in front of me to prop the hoop on, and if quilting at the dining room table, prop the hoop on the table and the quilt falls on chairs on either side. I don't get much quilting done because I just can't sit for very long at one time. The short intervals of standing/sitting with piecing are much better for my back. If I had one wish, it would be that I could sit for hours and do hand work.