Any tips to help ease back and neck strain while stitching?

dmcjms

I have shoulder/neck trouble and long hours of cross stitching only makes it worse. My physical therapist says to stop stitching altogether -- as if! -- but I wonder if anyone knows of a brace of frame that may help alleviate the problem? Anyone else have this issue?

KatharinaV-NL

Hi y'all!
I had the same problem with cross stitching and knitting + just like xstitchvader many hours behind a computer: you develop a "Forward Head posture".
My fysiotherapist helped out with 1x per week massaging the neck.
And at home I had to stretch = lengthen my neck muscles again with this exercise found on YouTube (search for "fix forward head posture")
I learned that we all make the mistake to stick out our chin towards a computer screen ;P and not sit up straight anymore.:o
Look at the video of this guy who explains the problem and solution very good.
:loveliness: Another advice: If you keep on making this mistake automatically...wear a very thick scarf while working. It helped me start changing my wrong habit. Good luck everyone!!!

AMW

Besides all the excellent advice already given, I like to put my feet up in some way; on a stool or a low table with a pillow for comfort and change positions as often as I can. I find that even slight changes of how I position my legs change how I stress my neck and back, and will help keep me from over-straining one area too much. Also, I watch TV while I stitch, making it easy to take plenty of small frequent pauses and not mind the all the ad breaks!

xstitchvader

I've started doing yoga 2-3 times a week - there are some videos on stretching the upperback/neck specifically.  It seems to help!  I'm on a computer all day and I stitch after work so it's a lot of tension some days.

mardy

Take breaks and stretch.  If you're in pain, listen to your body and stop for the day.  Don't push through the pain, you will feel worse the next day

Flirti

pillow in my back and a pillow under my stitching arm - helps a lot, and I do a lot of breaks!


Hinzufügen von Inhalten (2017-4-7 20:05):
update: still the same, but zry to pause every hour for a couple of minutes or even take a day off, that helps a lot

manolimu

        ¡Gracias por compartir!

htsear13

Following this thread

Tinggles

I usually have 1 or 2 pillows behind me so it forces me to sit straight while I am crafting... it seems to help.  Also get up and move around every 20-30 minutes.  Hope this helps!

Braenn

It's important to take breaks. I also use pillows and it's really nice and cozy :)

killertortle

I usually switch from sitting down to laying on my stomach with a pillow under my chest. It helps stretch out my back. Of course, if you are outside of your home, you probably can't do that.

Xanatos

I usually take a short break to stretch my arms and fingers

Lauruks

I googled neck stretching exercises and try to do some of them when neck starts to hurt.

hdtrike

Besides using extra pillows behind my back while stitching, I also utilize my heating pad from time to time.  It really helps with my neck and shoulders while stitching.

KnittingAngel

i can get the same thing with knitting. i use one of 2 things one of those beanbag pillows that you can put in the microwave or a gel pack that can be put in the microwave. you must remember to stretch periodically. i know you can loose time while doing something you love.

LucyLocket

Lauruks and KnittingAngel give good advice; every 1/2 you must change position and do exercises to stretch your back and rotate your shoulder muscles. This also helps remove tension in both  areas..............:D

siennaX

Agreed.  Getting up every 30 minutes or so to stretch the legs and neck helps a lot.  When I stitch without having a pillow behind me, I can definitely feel a strain in my back and shoulders.  Hope you find something that works for you.