Originally Posted by MadQuilter
Get a massage to relax. Take frequent breaks. Notice how your shoulders behave. If they "ride up" force them down. Shoulders do not belong by the ears.
You're absoluetly right. My Dr. explained that when a person is in pain, they automatically or naturally try to 'defend' the area that is in pain. That's why those of us with fibromyalgia hunch our shoulders and also try to protect our chests because within those areas are many of the spots that cause us so much pain. The problem is, we don't realize we're hunching all up until we've been that way for awhile. When it becomes unbearable, we think, 'oh yeah - relax!! :-) Usually by then it's too late.
I also use the doorstops under my machine, a tip which I gleaned from this board. A great idea.