I'm in pain!
#22
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Camarillo, California
Posts: 35,242
When using your laptop, basically set it in your lap or as close to it as possible. A good height on the sewing machne is crucial. I have a great sewing desk that is perfect height with my adjustable chair. Sometimes I sew at church with friends, or last week I took my machine on vacation with me and sewed at the kitchen table. It was not a good height for me. When it is too high for My shoulder gets to aching.
Frequent stretching. One thing I do (or used to when I could) is sit up straight, raise your shoulders up as high as you can then drop them as low as you can and try to leave them low. I have a habit, as my massage therapist put it, of wearing my shoulders as earings.
If you can't lift your arm up all the way you may have some impingement going on (bone spur) or you may have already frozen it up some. Get it looked at and get it moving or it will only get worse.
Frequent stretching. One thing I do (or used to when I could) is sit up straight, raise your shoulders up as high as you can then drop them as low as you can and try to leave them low. I have a habit, as my massage therapist put it, of wearing my shoulders as earings.
If you can't lift your arm up all the way you may have some impingement going on (bone spur) or you may have already frozen it up some. Get it looked at and get it moving or it will only get worse.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Western NY
Posts: 2,005
Originally Posted by virtualbernie
My left shoulder has been aching for months now. I can't lift it past just below shoulder high and can't sleep on my left side -- if I roll over to that side it wakes me up. I've started taking ibuprophen in the morning so I can move it without pain. Been putting off going to the doc because I don't want her to tell me to stop sewing so I just grin, take ibuprophen and bear it. :)
#26
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Point, Ohio
Posts: 65
i sewed in a sewing factory (corbins) for 33 yrs,,all my joints hurt and are wore out,,,but i still make my quilts,,ask your dr for a free tube of voltaren gel,,it is a arthritis rub, maybe that will help some,,it does for me
#27
The height of your table when cutting, the height of your machine and of your chair can make all the difference in the world. Figure out what height is most comfortable and adjust everything necessary to make it happen. It will be well worth the effort involved.
I complained for ages about the height of a table I use at work for various purposes. Once it finally was raised on cement blocks it made all the difference in the world.
I complained for ages about the height of a table I use at work for various purposes. Once it finally was raised on cement blocks it made all the difference in the world.
#28
All the reasons for shoulder pain and all the "helps" are great, but the only thing that really helps me at the end of a long day of sewing or computer surfing for new patterns and ideas is one ADVIL (ibuprofen) tablet. It relieves any swelling that occurs in my right shoulder and at least lets me get to sleep! Good luck ladies!
#29
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Camarillo, California
Posts: 35,242
Originally Posted by carolyne2421
i sewed in a sewing factory (corbins) for 33 yrs,,all my joints hurt and are wore out,,,but i still make my quilts,,ask your dr for a free tube of voltaren gel,,it is a arthritis rub, maybe that will help some,,it does for me
#30
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Decatur GA
Posts: 28
I have to set a timer for 30 minutes and make myself stop (needle down is great!), stand up and stretch, drink some water, etc. When I first started FMQ my teacher told us that she ended up in the ER thinking she was having a heart attack when it was strained muscles from quilting too long.
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