One important thing I was taught was to get up from the machine (or computer) every half hour stretch your back and go get a drink of water. Then back to sewing. I also found that you need the right height table and chair where you are sewing. I have a computer chair so I can adjust my height. Good luck.

if i am not sitting up straight while sewing my back aches, i tend to slump and that is when my shoulders hurt or if i am doing some tense sewing

I use one of those weights across the back from Nancy's Notions. Often I wear it all day long as it is so comfortable. I could not sew longer than 15 minutes without it.

If I put my chair high enough to be comfortable, my short legs have to stretch to use the peddle. I found that if I put a foot rest (the kind you get for the office that is tilted) and put my peddle on it, then I can sit higher and still reach my peddle without sitting at the edge of my chair.
Hope this helps.

And don't forget the BioFreeze. It is great for muscle stiffness and soreness. Most chiropractors carry it........runs about $12 and comes in tube, roll-on, or spray.

I also was lucky enough to find a chiropractor to help me get rid of it, and the exercise was the same! But I have other helpful ideas also.

- We have a stair way with hand rails on both sides... I put a foot up 3 (and later 4) steps, lean forward until my chest touches my thigh, bring my chest up keeping arms back, face up, and rotate to standing (very similar to the door thing, but easier and move effective for me). A few times both legs and I'm ready to go!

-Also dh helps... I cross my arms over my chest, he wraps his over mine and leans back. He does not lift me!!! He is about an inch taller than I am so lifting would be pretty hard (and he's not young either). The cracks we hear are soooo nice, but the way I immediately feel is even nicer.

- get a desk chair and adjust it so you are not leaning over so much. My desk chair "gives" when I sit in it (I'm not so very graceful!) and that helps also.

- I use Joanne's 3'x5' (aprox) white tables which are higher than the usual... less bending over. They got bad reviews because the fold out legs didn't stay in their place, but I put little squares of industrial velcro on the top of the legs and the bottom of the table and I've never had a problem. I bought 4 of them so I can work on a queen size quilt when they are all out (6'x10'), and fold them up and put them out of the way when the grandkids want to play ping pong.

Once before I suggested doing squats to pick up pins, and I still think that is one of the best things to do. It is "impossible" at first, but if you keep doing it you will find it gets easier and easier until you can go down and back up without holding on to anything. It moves the body in good ways... and quilters need that!!!

Hope this helps. Sierra

Do you sit in a recliner? That's a chiropractors best friend. I too have back problems and found that the recliner is the culprit.

I'm going to try all these things. I have problems with backaches all the time. Right now, I don't want to sew, and I just about ready to get off the computer and lay down. But I think I'll try the door way first!!!!

Oh i get this it is my own fault as i tend to sit on the edge of the settee and crouch over whilst cutting fabric, it is painful and aches for quiet a while occcchhhh

just a thought, bc this has happened to me:
have you considered your diet?
I have chronic health issues and do not absorb all the nutrients from my food and when I get anemic, I have horrible pain.
Having your b-12, iron and folic acid levels and while your at it uric acid levels is not a bad idea.
If you do not sleep well, I would get checked for fibromyalgia, and or sleep apnea.
Poor circulation is very painful.
One last thing: exercise. Sitting too long can make just about anyone stiff.
Try taking more breaks and doing some stretching. Hope you get if figured out. Pain and quilting are not supposed to go together!

You might try getting a different chair with better back support. I have a bad back- had back surgery - I make sure that I don't lean over something toooooo long, or I know I will suffer later on in the day. Also make sure that my back us supported when sitting.
I was using my mother's old Singer bench (with no back) - OMG - a couple of hours sewing sitting on that - really cramped up my back

I just find that I can sometimes adjust the height of my computer sewinging chairs by chair cushions just like trying to get use to my TRI- focals trail and error

I used to get a horrible pain like that;... behind your scapula? ( wing/, shoulder blade?). then the pain radiates up your neck to the base of your skull, and you can't look up, or sideways?.... I only found a couple things that took care of it, in my case;
1. a capasacion (sp?)cream. Arbonne makes a great one. becareful it is HOT.
2. I found that my pillow was too flat, I'm a side sleeper.
3. pressure point massage, that's where your husband, or whome ever, takes their knuckle and digs into the 'knot' behind your scapula; yes, this is very painful, but you'll get some relief.
4.stretching exercises, where you hold onto the wrist on the painful side, and stretch that arm out in front of you, hold it to a count of 10, relax and do it again.
Good luck

Check out crazy short cut quilts on Youtube she as a video telling you the hieght of the table and chair you should be using, worked for me. :-D

You might try putting a small pillow at the small of your back when sitting. That seems to help me, especially when sewing or driving.

I just came back to sewing after the doctor took it away for 3 months because of the damage it did to my back. Now I hope I have learned to get up and stretch, do excericises, and adjust the way I sit. I bought a tall sewing desk and found out it was to tall now I am working to adjust everything so it is all the right hight. I also have to stop merathon sewing 10 to 12 hours at a time is to much..A procrastinator I am. and then i am rushed.

I use a back brace if u don't have one go to a sports and buy a ronner one that will velcro on. I use it only when I am sewing for a long time. Hope this helps

What kind of pillow do you sleep on? Do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach? I found once I got a bigger pillow (I'm a side sleeper) my neck and shoulders improved a lot. I was putting too much pressure on my shoulder while sleeping. Two pillows were too firm, but a new one made specially for side sleepers was just the ticket. Got it on sale for less than $20. figure to replace it about every 4 to 6 months.

My new machine was 5 inches higher than my older one. Had pain in left shoulder referred from my neck. Lowering machine helped some. Do not discount cholesterol or bone medicines as a cause if you take any. They both kill my neck, back, and shoulders. I wonder if the good they do is worth the pain they cause. Let me know if you take these meds. Good luck.

This surprises me because I saw the exact opposite advice somewhere not too long ago. Wish I could remember where. They suggested using wedge type rubber door stops to raise the front of the machine. This provides a better sight line into the area you're trying to see, and is supposed to relieve strain on your upper back. I found it inconvenient because the machine tended to slip off the door stops, but it did seem to make it more ergonomic for me, and I was planning to fasten the wedges down some way and try again. I guess my point is, if one way doesn't help, try another?

I thik it happens to me because of posture. When I sew I usually lean over and after while my back (between my shoulder blades starts to hurt. As someone mentioned getting up and taking a break helps. I think that weight would work by keeping you more unright.

Beside raising the back of your sewing machine get a office chair that adjusts. This has helped a lot and Wal Mart and Target has them at a good price

I have one of those back weights. Got it from Nancy's Notions years ago. Wear it if I'm going to be at the sewing machine for any length of time. I love it. I really think it helps keep my posture straighter. You might go on-line and look for tips for sewing ergonomically. I've seen some really good demos. Hope it works out. My advise would be to get up frequently and stretch your back.

I have the same problem..I can't sew very long and my back kills me...I have to get up and move around while I sew..When I get through sewing I use the heating pad...If you find something that helps let me know!!

Take frequent breaks while quilting, and do some backwards bending. We don't bend our spines enough in that direction. Get one of those big exercise balls, and lay back on it and roll backwards to stretch your spine over it, in that backwards curve. Sounds strange but it really helps! To stretch out the shoulder area, reach your arms overhead while bending backwards over the ball.

(You can also keep your abs in shape with one of those balls in the house!)

Forgot to mention Ibuprophen and ICE: the two best things to reduce inflamation, and therefore, pain.

I suffer back problems caused from a fall many years ago. If I stand, or sew to long I will be in pain, So when I rach that point I eat a couple of crackers (food in tummy) drink water, then take two extra strength excedrin, I can't aford Dr.s I then go sit in easy chair for about 10 15 min. and back pain goes away. So I can quilt awhile longer. I've had to do this since 1998, didn't always quilt. Just going shopping is a painful experience for me. Excedrin is only one that works for me. have tried many. No I do not work for them or have I ever.

Pain is rather like a roof leak, you never really know where the leak is. Try using the alternate foot to operate your machine. I have begun driving with my right foot and sewing with my left. It has made a difference. Also, neck exercises, simply turning your head as far right, as far left, as far back and as far forward as you can comfortably do. Circling your shoulders, frontwards and backwards. the other suggestions have been very good too. We each are wonderfully unique people. Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks! Hope you find the answer.

Buying a cutting table helped my back a lot.

Have the same problem. Between the 2-hours each way commute, sitting at work all day, and sit-down winter hobbies, my back has been screaming for attention.

Started a beginner yoga class this fall and it has done wonders for me. I do some of the simpler (and less noticeable) relaxation exercises on my breaks at work, on the train, etc., and a half hour before bed...no more backaches!

I sew with the microwavable neck wrap on. I have arthritis, herniated discs and some other problems and have had a lot of treatment, medication,stim. Device and using heat frequently works best for me. I also have a great office chair.

Ice packs are good also.

Ditto!

I remember using the microwave heated pads on my back, and they bring quite a bit of relief - definitely worth a try. Oddly, I have less back trouble now than I did twenty years ago. I'm not sure why because I'm still far too sedentary and somewhat overweight. I have created a sort of "obstacle course" method of forcing myself to move around. Having my computer and sewing machines upstairs has helped because I have to go up and down frequently to let dogs in and out and deal with laundry. The ironing board is in the next room, necessitating frequently getting out of my chair. Also, I put up a pet gate and step over it every time I come in here. It was hard at first but got easier, and this tiny amount of activity has apparently helped my back. I wonder if women had more or less back trouble in the days of treadle-operated machines. Maybe we need treadle operated computers.

This used to happen to me too but in my case I found that I had arthritis in my neck and compressed cervical disc... the pain was in my shoulder and down my arm. Not saying that this is your problem.

Found that I needed to do neck exercises and stretches, not bend my head down while on the computer or at my machine. Physical therapy worked miracles.

I hope you just need to stretch your shoulders back.

good luck, it is no fun to be in pain when you want to have joy in quilting.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :lol:

Sorry you are in pain....heard on Dr Oz..to drink tart cherry juice...may help. Get up move around every 30mins to 60 mins...

My daughter who has MS swears by yoga. I stand and sew at my kitchen counter where it's just the right height. Sitting too much kills my back.

Table height/chair height match is essential, as others have said. Another factor is eyeglasses. You didn't mention whether you do/don't wear glasses, but if you do, be sure your sewing position is such that you're not having to hold your head in a strained position in order to find the right 'spot' with best focus of your glasses. Strained/sore neck & shoulder muscles are my 'cue' that it's time for an eye exam and some 'thickers.'

Ive found that trying to reach to far to finish a block or row pulls on my shoulders and back. Even sitting sideways strains to quilt.

Good posture and stretching really do help. Your chair must be the right height to your machine so you are not bending over to sew. A simple exercise to stretch is to raise your arms to shoulder height, bring your hands in to your chest then try to touch your elbows together behind your back. Do this very slowly several times a day.