Muscle Spasms when machine quilting - make it go away.
 

I am learning to quilt. I am doing my first quilt on my DSM. I really want to do this, I love it so far except for the horrible pain in my shoulder/neck from muscle spasms. I am prone to these from working at desk on computer all day. but was hoping to be able to quilt without so much pain.
I was so disappointed to have to quit very soon after starting a quilt yesterday due to pain. I have a great new machine, 11.25 inch throat - just need to be able to learn to use it without so much pain.

I am not sure my table is low enough/chair high enough. Does anyone else suffer from this and have suggestions on how to change things so that it does not cause this strain.

I wonder if it is a problem when using a long arm standing up? anyone have any trouble with muscle spasms when using the long arms?

Thanks,
Terri

I have random muscle spasms. I had one just above my ankle that just would not quit. I had a tube of Max Freeze on my desk and decided to try some on it and it really, really helped.

I use a hot pad a lot on my neck and shoulder muscles. and my lower back too at times.
look at the height of your chair to your machine. do you have to raise your shoulders to sew? your elbows should bend comfortably, hands not higher. and back straight. i tend to slouch and raise my shoulders. it's habit because i know better. try out different chair heights or raise or lower your machine. some tilt the back of the machine up a bit too.
i also rub in Aspercreme (no odor) and that helps some. good luck.

The spasms are more than likely due to poor body mechanics. Your elbows should be at a 45* angle when you are sewing. If your machine is sitting on your table you will need to raise your chair height. If your chair isn't adjustable then I would invest in an office task chair without arms. To make do with what you have you can put one or two pillows on your chair seat and see if that raises you up enough. If the problem is the opposite ie table is too low you can either get bed risers to put under the legs or place some 2x4s under them to raise the table up. Do some stretching exercises often while you are quilting. Take frequent breaks stand up and stretch. Make sure you are properly hydrated as well.

Auntpiggylpn, I think you meant to say that your elbows should be at a 90 degree angle. I agree that having the machine inset into the table at the proper height makes a huge difference, not only in ergonomics/comfort but also in ease of maneuvering the quilt (which in the long run contributes to your comfort too). As far as quilting at a longarm, it can be easier on the body simply because you are not wrestling the quilt, and you are moving more often, not sitting in one position for long periods of time.

The quilting part is my favorite but I tend to tense up around the neck and shoulders, I just get up and move around
(leaving the needle in the work) and drink lots of water!

Yes, good ergonomics are KEY to comfortable sewing!!

Another thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to try a wedge cushion on your chair. It will lift you up a little and (for me and my particular chair, anyway) I find that if I'm tilted just ever so slightly forward it encourages me to have better posture in my lower and mid back. If this gets your feet too far off the ground, put a box or buy a foot rest and make sure you have good foot support as well.

A last idea - to help break bad habits, set up a mirror so you can glance over at yourself periodically while you're sewing to check your posture. I have a terrible habit of scrunching my shoulders up almost to my ears while I'm quilting a quilt sandwich; a glance in the mirror helps remind me to keep my shoulders DOWN. I LOOK uncomfortable when my shoulders are up, and it doesn't feel good either. I do it out of stress...for me the quilting phase is the most stressful and I "clench" myself all up while I do it, which is bad for the quilt and really bad for my neck and shoulders! Learning to relax is hard for me, but I'm working on it and feeling better and better after every quilt. :) Maybe you're a "clencher" too?

I, too, tend to have my shoulders near my ears when trying to FMQ. It's a constant issue of telling myself to drop them. I know I need to buy an adjustable table so I can lower the entire sewing surface. I haven't tried it but some people have suggested drinking a glass of wine and listening to soothing music while quilting. Maybe this is something you will have to build up to. Don't try to go longer than 15 minutes without taking a small break. Rotating your shoulders back and moving your neck carefully from side to side will help. Good luck!

you have to learn to relax your shoulders and remember to breathe it should be fun