Possible health issue in shop

macguy

macguy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Although I am a hobbyist when I get the chance I spend a lot of time in my shop. Lately I am getting some upper back pain just between my shoulder blades. I think it comes from the small leaning forward when working at the lathe as well as other bench jobs. It seems like nothing but probably over time can become a real problem. It used to take hours to begin, but I notice it happens now after no more then an hour and gets worse faster.

It is a repetitive thing I think but maybe the kind of thing that could cause long term problems.Does anyone out there find the same problem or something similar?


I was thinking about a kind of back support. I see those things that they workers at Home Depot ware that go around the back and over shoulders. It looks like it gives upper back support. Any suggestions? I want to buy something today if I can.
Thanks
 
That's something that's gonna get us all!
Even if you raise your lathe up, your still going to have bent head syndrome :)
I know my post isn't helping you at all, but I suffer right beside you!
 
mine was a simple solution

i just raised my lathe bench about 4 inches, so i did not have to lean over so much. now as i stand up straighter no more back pain.
 
I used to be 6'6", age has shortened that to about 1" less. Raised on lathe 7", another about 4". Built the benches 2 other lathes are on to be height appropriate for the jobs they do. It all helps at the end of the day.
 
cuejo said:
That's something that's gonna get us all!
Even if you raise your lathe up, your still going to have bent head syndrome :)
I know my post isn't helping you at all, but I suffer right beside you!
Click to expand...

I've been doing this a loooong time, and a couple of decades ago I figured out what I think is the the best solution.

My main lathe is mounted on a bench that is much taller than "normal", but it also has a Sony Magnascale digital readout - and I mounted the display unit about 8 inches above eye level [standing]. It's also left of the chuck by about 30 degrees.

So when I'm working for any extended period of time on that lathe my head is never static. Instead, it's more like a continuous neck "warm up" exercise as I constantly shift my view from workpiece to DRO (and other parts of the running lathe). Repetitive static positions can be just as hard on your body parts as repetitive stress, and this set up lets me avoid both.

TW
 
Take periodic breaks and exercise

Find a good exercise for your back. Search the web. What do you wear on your feet? Sometimes its the bad foot support



macguy said:
Although I am a hobbyist when I get the chance I spend a lot of time in my shop. Lately I am getting some upper back pain just between my shoulder blades. I think it comes from the small leaning forward when working at the lathe as well as other bench jobs. It seems like nothing but probably over time can become a real problem. It used to take hours to begin, but I notice it happens now after no more then an hour and gets worse faster.

It is a repetitive thing I think but maybe the kind of thing that could cause long term problems.Does anyone out there find the same problem or something similar?


I was thinking about a kind of back support. I see those things that they workers at Home Depot ware that go around the back and over shoulders. It looks like it gives upper back support. Any suggestions? I want to buy something today if I can.
Thanks
Click to expand...
 
Ahh the back, so many tips and so many advices. Many of us share the same issue, or close to it.

Our head is weighing a lot and our body is constantly seeking balance, like everything in life.

I´m no cuemaker but Waynes tips sounds sound, the raising of the lathe sounds sound.

Some exercises that is good is always to move around, static muscles stay fixed if not moved. Tight muscles are slow muscles, slow muscles have less flow in them. Think of a water hose (right name..??) tighten it and the water has to fight to get by.

One exercise that is very simple but very effectful is to stand relaxed, feet shoulder apart, arms hanging down and just start to swing them - back and forth - try to feel like your head is drawn up into the sky by a string and that the feet is grounded, breath deeply and just swing and feel the tension go away - stay straight without tension. Feel or try to feel like "string puppet" (there is probably a much better word for it...:embarrassed2:), the human body is perfect and is constructed to be used effortlessly, arms and legs are like counterweights drawing the head up and the feets down.

Swing it as long as you need, no counting needed - just you can tell - feel it and the ache will start to go away. You will feel a bit warmer sort of speak, a tickling feeling. You can also add standing on one foot, - switching etc, then close your eyes. Great for the small muscles, relaxing, finding balance.

I got a stroke in the small brain 1,5 years ago and this is what I was doing the very next day to regain balance. The nurses and doctors just shooked their heads:smile:, not because it was wrong, because they couldn´t believe it. The string to the head feeling is good, just let the rest follow. The "rest" should feel heavy/relaxed.

Do this always and you will see what it feels like, it´s quite a nice feeling when you get into it:).

Hope it can help, does for me.

Regards

Chrippa
 
Chrippa said:
Ahh the back, so many tips and so many advices. Many of us share the same issue, or close to it.

Our head is weighing a lot and our body is constantly seeking balance, like everything in life.

I´m no cuemaker but Waynes tips sounds sound, the raising of the lathe sounds sound.

Some exercises that is good is always to move around, static muscles stay fixed if not moved. Tight muscles are slow muscles, slow muscles have less flow in them. Think of a water hose (right name..??) tighten it and the water has to fight to get by.

One exercise that is very simple but very effectful is to stand relaxed, feet shoulder apart, arms hanging down and just start to swing them - back and forth - try to feel like your head is drawn up into the sky by a string and that the feet is grounded, breath deeply and just swing and feel the tension go away - stay straight without tension. Feel or try to feel like "string puppet" (there is probably a much better word for it...:embarrassed2:), the human body is perfect and is constructed to be used effortlessly, arms and legs are like counterweights drawing the head up and the feets down.

Swing it as long as you need, no counting needed - just you can tell - feel it and the ache will start to go away. You will feel a bit warmer sort of speak, a tickling feeling. You can also add standing on one foot, - switching etc, then close your eyes. Great for the small muscles, relaxing, finding balance.

I got a stroke in the small brain 1,5 years ago and this is what I was doing the very next day to regain balance. The nurses and doctors just shooked their heads:smile:, not because it was wrong, because they couldn´t believe it. The string to the head feeling is good, just let the rest follow. The "rest" should feel heavy/relaxed.

Do this always and you will see what it feels like, it´s quite a nice feeling when you get into it:).

Hope it can help, does for me.

Regards

Chrippa
Click to expand...

I think you are right, I need to do some exercise that relates to what I do. We have a friend who was a dental hygienist and had to quit. After a few years being bent over people her back gave out. Who would think a job like that would be so hard on your body.
I'm in good shape, I don't have a big gut hanging over my belt. But muscle groups that are not used correctly can still do you in. I am going to do some research along the lines you suggest. I might also go get a good massage, I haven't had one in a while.
 
macguy said:
I think you are right, I need to do some exercise that relates to what I do. We have a friend who was a dental hygienist and had to quit. After a few years being bent over people her back gave out. Who would think a job like that would be so hard on your body.
I'm in good shape, I don't have a big gut hanging over my belt. But muscle groups that are not used correctly can still do you in. I am going to do some research along the lines you suggest. I might also go get a good massage, I haven't had one in a while.
Click to expand...

Hi, glad you liked the tip. Do a search for Taiji or Qigong instructors, look for the ones that look like this themselves: http://www.taiji-qigong.com/start.asp
She´s in Sweden of course but if you look how fluid and relaxed her body looks you understand what I mean.
A body should be balanced in strength, just building muscles won´t do it.
It was a long time I was training for Therese but she gave me a lot of insight just watching her, many things I didn´t get at the time but now I´m my own trainer because I know what to look for - everybody does actually - that will take some loooong explanation though, think of a child.

I was a "very well trained, athlete guy" back then, and I had taken the advices from all the "doctors" to train, building up muscle etc - I was strong and rather muscular - trained sports all my life. I know however It was something wrong - felt it. They said I was hyper mobil (right word?).

Then Therese showed me something that is a goal of mine, Christian she said, you are not to flexible you are to stiff - she lay down at her back, raised her legs, flat back, legs 90 degrees and just folded them to each side into the floor - it was amazing to see.

Some of these guys/girls are so, so strong in "every position". They are not to flexible, they are flexible all over. Balance.

A very good way to stretch, relaxing the back at the same time is to squat - needs some training though, look at pics of "natives", indians etc when they sit and rest. Both feets on the floor -planted, the butt almost or touches the ground, the back is straight. However, every training can be done wrong so be careful. Try to find a Master at it but remember that you are the "only Master" of you - listen and trust your feelings when doing stuff.
Many roads will lead you in the right direction.
I do my stretching very often looking at the tube, and the stretching can look very easy, just sit in lotus for instance. If there is a will there is a way, your body - your responsibility - your life.

A part of my journey is soon finished and I will write and teach some of this stuff and If I can help you a bit I´m happy.

If you want you can always shoot me a pm.

Btw - Therese can´t weigh more than 45 kg or something but she can probably push me with ease and she´s so, so small:o. That´s strength for you:).

Best of luck!

Chrippa
 
This is interesting. I would like to ask a question and this is not directed to any one individual. Does sitting at a computer reading and posting to AZ cause any back pain?

In answer to this question, here's what we've done. We've raised all the lathes, rubber matting on the floor and believe it or not -- MBT sneakers are a huge plus! All that has helped me tremendously. A couple of Advil help too when I'm go to be standing in one place for extended periods of time. :D
 
Joe Barringer said:
This is interesting. I would like to ask a question and this is not directed to any one individual. Does sitting at a computer reading and posting to AZ cause any back pain?

In answer to this question, here's what we've done. We've raised all the lathes, rubber matting on the floor and believe it or not -- MBT sneakers are a huge plus! All that has helped me tremendously. A couple of Advil help too when I'm go to be standing in one place for extended periods of time. :D
Click to expand...

Lol, I'm sure for some it can cause severe heartburn.

Great thread....there are some nice solutions shared.
 
Joe Barringer said:
This is interesting. I would like to ask a question and this is not directed to any one individual. Does sitting at a computer reading and posting to AZ cause any back pain?

In answer to this question, here's what we've done. We've raised all the lathes, rubber matting on the floor and believe it or not -- MBT sneakers are a huge plus! All that has helped me tremendously. A couple of Advil help too when I'm go to be standing in one place for extended periods of time. :D
Click to expand...

I often sit at the computer for hours. I have one of those Kneeling chairs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kneeling_chair

The difference is, I sit upright and look pretty much straight ahead. At the lathe you have to often bend slightly forward. Seemingly an easy thing, but it slowly takes a toll on your back and neck. The lathe I use the most for long periods of time has a large chip tray. It must extend 6 or 7 inches forward of the rest of the lathe. It makes you have to stand back a little. That chip tray may be the culprit forcing me into an uncomfortable position. If I took it off altogether I could even sit with the right chair.

Years ago I owned a lawn service business. My only client was a 600 unit trailer park. One rainy day I went with a few of my workers to a driving range nearby. It was undercover and you just hit the balls out into the rain. I had never played golf in my life. They showed me a little how to hit the ball and we hit balls for hours (Me paying of course.) The next day I hurt so bad I could not even take a breath without pain.

I am not exaggerating, it took about a year to fully recover. Even though I was in the condition of Adonis, misusing those muscles doing things they were not used to really screwed me up. All that from doing something 70 year old men do everyday and doing it wrong. I was only 23 at the time. That little back pain I am getting now does concern me. I know how something like that can become chronic. I don't want to wait till it is a serious problem.
 
Last edited:
macguy said:
I often sit at the computer for hours. I have one of those Kneeling chairs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kneeling_chair

The difference is, I sit upright and look pretty much straight ahead. At the lathe you have to often bend slightly forward. Seemingly an easy thing, but it slowly takes a toll on your back and neck. The lathe I use the most for long periods of time has a large chip tray. It must extend 6 or 7 inches forward of the rest of the lathe. It makes you have to stand back a little. That chip tray may be the culprit forcing me into an uncomfortable position. If I took it off altogether I could even sit with the right chair.

Years ago I owned a lawn service business. My only client was a 600 unit trailer park. One rainy day I went with a few of my workers to a driving range nearby. It was undercover and you just hit the balls out into the rain. I had never played golf in my life. They showed me a little how to hit the ball and we hit balls for hours (Me paying of course.) The next day I hurt so bad I could not even take a breath without pain.

I am not exaggerating, it took about a year to fully recover. Even though I was in the condition of Adonis, misusing those muscles doing things they were not used to really screwed me up. All that from doing something 70 year old men do everyday and doing it wrong. I was only 23 at the time. That little back pain I am getting now does concern me. I know how something like that can become chronic. I don't want to wait till it is a serious problem.
Click to expand...


Dear Adonis... :D

If you're old enough, by the time it does cause severe problems you'll probably have other more severe issues to worry about.

In all seriousness, raise the lathe. It helps the lower back, neck and your shoulders too. It did for me.
 
I had back problems and other pain till I red Dr Sarno!

I had back problems and other pain till I read Dr Sarno!









Chrippa said:
Ahh the back, so many tips and so many advices. Many of us share the same issue, or close to it.

Our head is weighing a lot and our body is constantly seeking balance, like everything in life.

I´m no cuemaker but Waynes tips sounds sound, the raising of the lathe sounds sound.

Some exercises that is good is always to move around, static muscles stay fixed if not moved. Tight muscles are slow muscles, slow muscles have less flow in them. Think of a water hose (right name..??) tighten it and the water has to fight to get by.

One exercise that is very simple but very effectful is to stand relaxed, feet shoulder apart, arms hanging down and just start to swing them - back and forth - try to feel like your head is drawn up into the sky by a string and that the feet is grounded, breath deeply and just swing and feel the tension go away - stay straight without tension. Feel or try to feel like "string puppet" (there is probably a much better word for it...:embarrassed2:), the human body is perfect and is constructed to be used effortlessly, arms and legs are like counterweights drawing the head up and the feets down.

Swing it as long as you need, no counting needed - just you can tell - feel it and the ache will start to go away. You will feel a bit warmer sort of speak, a tickling feeling. You can also add standing on one foot, - switching etc, then close your eyes. Great for the small muscles, relaxing, finding balance.

I got a stroke in the small brain 1,5 years ago and this is what I was doing the very next day to regain balance. The nurses and doctors just shooked their heads:smile:, not because it was wrong, because they couldn´t believe it. The string to the head feeling is good, just let the rest follow. The "rest" should feel heavy/relaxed.

Do this always and you will see what it feels like, it´s quite a nice feeling when you get into it:).

Hope it can help, does for me.

Regards

Chrippa
Click to expand...
 
the kidd said:
I had back problems and other pain till I read Dr Sarno!
Click to expand...

Kidd - you are full of knowledge:).

Thanks, I haven´t heard of him but I looked at it a bit and I like it.

Our feelings shows up in our bodys, it´s very easy but yet so hard to grasp because we don´t "want" to.

We see this everyday, every waken second. A feel, a taught a manifestation throw the body.

Everyone knows this. we do it know, when typing.

Trying to avoid our feelings though is to trying to store energy and energy wont allow that so it has to find it´s way to manifest.

Children are great to look at because they go by feel, they laugh, cry, play, love - instantly. We often say that children are so full of energy etc - they let it flow.

Body and soul, can´t be divided.

Thanks for the info.

Chrippa
 
Thomas Wayne said:


I've been doing this a loooong time, and a couple of decades ago I figured out what I think is the the best solution.

My main lathe is mounted on a bench that is much taller than "normal", but it also has a Sony Magnascale digital readout - and I mounted the display unit about 8 inches above eye level [standing]. It's also left of the chuck by about 30 degrees.

So when I'm working for any extended period of time on that lathe my head is never static. Instead, it's more like a continuous neck "warm up" exercise as I constantly shift my view from workpiece to DRO (and other parts of the running lathe). Repetitive static positions can be just as hard on your body parts as repetitive stress, and this set up lets me avoid both.

TW
Click to expand...

This is interesting.
Most places where I have worked, have all had the displays for the dro like you mentioned.
When I brought my own 1st lathe back in 86, I raised it quite high compared to where everyone else was having there machines set to. I did this as it was a lot easier on my neck.
It did mean that I had to hold my hands higher of course.
But my bigger lathe, with the heavier chucks and work pieces, I have at close to the normal height due to the ease of lifting .

Another aspect is that a lot of hobbyists are not work fit.They come home and go hang for leather in the week end, then wonder why they have trouble during the week.

There has been a lot of good advice in this thread by lots of people.
 
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