back hurts from carving

[agaboric]

I built a woodcarving bench about a year ago and I have not gotten to use it much. When I do use it I come away with a lower back pain. I used the rule where you take your arm stright down and at the elbow place your fist below it and that is suposed to be the height that your bench needs to be. Well I have done that but I still come away with a back ache so I am wondering if I need to raise it up even higher, and if I do that will my arms get tired if I am carving something large and have to hold my hands up high for long periods of time. I just wanted to see what some of you fine folks could suggest.
Thanks,
Andy

[TreeWizard]

I have lower back pain as well if I stand for any length of time. I've found a high stool, like a bar stool, that I can kind of half sit on and half lean against seems to relieve the pain.

[AlArchie]

Andy, you can try just adding a piece of 2x10 to raise the carving level and see if that helps. You shold be able to find an 8' piece of #2 pine for around 20 bucks. Cut that into 4 two foot lengths. That way you can raise your carving level in 1 1/2" increments. When you find a comfortable level you can permanently attach the boards for a new surface.

Or a solution may be as simple as getting one of those four foot square anti-fatigue mats to stand on. They made a difference for me.

Al

[Just Carving]

As with anything, computers, woodworking, carving, even sitting at the dining table BS'ing, when you stay in one position for to long, you will "settle", and stiffen up. The key is to get out of the same position--just like altering a "repetitive" motion--frequently, and you will not suffer as much with the agony of "getting up". Stretching while sitting will help too, but it is best to get up get a drink of water, eat a piece of fruit, go to the bathroom, etc., i.e. "take a break".

Also, I'm taking a page from my Dr's orders of stretching my lower back muscles before doing any heavy work, and I'm stretching my shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers before carving, and doing it occasionally while carving too. It also helps a lot with arthritis which I've developed--or at least awakened--over the last year or so. Stretching simply means that--extend your fingers, arms, and then flex the joints. No need to over do it--just change the normal at rest position of the fingers, wrist, arms, shoulders, etc. to something different. An example is to open your fingers wide and extend them straight--with no strain, no pain. Any exercise in moderation is better than none--for carving and for your health in general.

Bob L

[againstthegrain]

If you stand, it is good to rest one foot on a step stool to take the pressure off your lower back. After the fact, ibuprofen is a miracle drug, if you don't have any contraindications to taking it. Lastly, for prevention, I do a little GENTLE, beginner Yoga for stretching. I was very skeptical when a coworker suggested it, but I am amazed at how much better my joints feel!

[agaboric]

thank you for all of the great advice I think I will try all of them and see what works the best and maybe just take a break every now and again. The reason I like to carve standing up is I also read where sitting for to long can be devastating to your back so I don't know I just enjoy carving so much and I am not going to let a little ache get the best of me.
Thanks again everyone,
Andy

[Dileon]

Got arthritis in my back... I can not sit on anything hard, chairs are a major problem with me. As sitting in one that is not level can cause major pain in about ten minutes, can not stand... so I have an office chairs that has two kinds of seat cushions one that levels the chair orthopedic cushion, one that is a circle with a hole...can buy both at drug stores or order on line. What happens is the sciatic nerve is being pinched from sitting and this will cause pain in your lower back first and then sometimes travel into your hips. Pillows relieve the pressure but the hard part is to find the combination that works for you and trying to sit different ways as everyone is different. I can no longer sit in the living room or any of the chairs...the ones I can sit in must be straight L and with pillows. A chair can also effect my upper back, and I must find ways to sit ...most of the time I can only sit on the edge of a chair with my feet under the chair and knees pointed down. I am sorry your having problems, but if you keep trying things you will find away to work a little more comfortable for longer periods of time.... a bench I would be howling in a very short time. Also if you have mild pain, take Ibuprofen a few hours before you go to the bench this may help major at times. Di

[Timberwolf]

Agaboric,

I tore the L1 disc a few years back in my lower back and as Wizard noted, I use a bar stool that is tall enough to lean against and take the pressure off the back.

Hope you are well.

[carver33]

If I stand and carve at a standard work bench for any length of time, I also have lower back pain. I noticed that I was bending slightly and putting strain on my back. I've found that, like others before me in the thread, that sitting on a stool helps tremendously. I'm sitting straighter with less strain on the back. I've just ordered the Sears shop stool, which is a step up from my current stool.

[mobjack68]

I migrate from the carving bench to the hot tub....great way to relax and then super-relax....