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What I did was this, and my back aches stopped. I was using a straight backed chair...so I switched to a computer chair, and raised it all the way up..I did this to keep my wire fox terriers from chewing on the handle..I was afraid they would 'drop me'. So, I noticed my back stopped hurting...tension left in the back also.
I use a 6 foot folding table for my sewing machine, and it all seems to work great so far. |
I married a massage therapist. And I sit on an exercise ball like this.
http://www.healthnetwork.com.au/exer...ll-workout.asp And I stretch - i set a timer and put it on the other side of the room. Will find some stretches that I use and post them. |
I take breaks and also keep my ironing on the other side of the room so I have to get up and walk.
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chair or table not right heights can cause lots of discomfort.
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Originally Posted by Nanjun
chair or table not right heights can cause lots of discomfort.
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Originally Posted by seamstome
I will give you some professional advice since I do this for a living.
DO NOT take aleve advil (NSAID's--non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) etc on a semi-regular basis. If you read the contra-indications you will realize that use of these NSAID's even within the OTC guidelines can increase your risk of GI bleed and kidney failure. NSAID's are a major reason for dialysis and death from GI bleed--especially in people with "arthritis" who tend to take more than they realize. This can happen with no major usage or forewarning....IOW, you can take Aleve with no problems for yearsand then boom have GI bleed problems. If you are going to take NSAID's you must increase your water intake and you should eat something. Do stretch frequently. You need to use bands etc to stretch. Also take a tennis ball and roll it up and down your back while pulling the arm across your body. Double check all heights of tables, sewing machines hoops etc. Modify hoops etc so you are not sitting with your head hanging down. The key to mid back pain is to sit very straight. This can mean knees down with a good arch in your lower back...this will take the stress off of your mid back. Then squeeze your shoulder blades together and push those boobies out. Your thumbs should point forward when they hang at your side if you are doing this properly. Use a Body Rite Posture aid if you have to. Do "flying" superman exercises in doorways. Stop every ten minutes or so to pull your shoulders back and stretch. Keep an exercise ball in your sewing room and lay backwards over it, rolling back and forth. You can use the ball as a chair if you are coordinated. If you are going to use heat, no more than 10 minutes of moist heat. Ergonomically, I adjust my chair so I'm not bending my head forward to see where I'm sewing. I also put a piece of wood 1" high X 2" wide X the width of my sewing machine under the back of my sewing machine. This makes it MUCH easier to see where I'm sewing. |
dont forget to BREATHE !!! I find myself holding my breath or not beathing deeply and relaxing ....... I have the Rhomboid muscle problem, and I use dumbells and exercises to strengthen muscles.... stretching and muscle cream helps too !!
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The sewing machine should be at a level you would type at comfortably - no higher. Try bringing the sewing machine closer to you - the needle should be in line with your center. A friend told me it was because I pull the fabric through with my left arm - let the machine do the pulling for you, your left hand should stay in front of the machine, not behind it.
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I try to get up every once in awhile to stretch, walk a little, take some Tylenol.
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Exercise every 1/2 hour. Stand up, put your hands on your butt and bend back 10 x. Really helps. Keep some Bengay handy. Exercise your hand too, stretches.
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