Backache

[Anna Marie]

Hi. Is there a recommended angle for a drawing board.
I have a home made easel that sits on my table and I sit on a dining chair. I am getting serious backache and neck pains and my chiropractor thinks it might be my work angle. I was blaming it on something completely different but I am short sighted and do do a lotof close work.
Any suggestionson type of chair and angle of easel would be much appreciated.

[paintfool]

I don't know so much about the angle but i do know that to elevate your feet by putting something on the floor, such as a sturdy box or even a couple of phone books and resting your feet there instead of flat on the floor will take a lot of pressure off of your back. I've suffered with back aches for a lot of years and this really helps!
Cheryl

[Pen]

Originally posted by paintfool
I don't know so much about the angle but i do know that to elevate your feet by putting something on the floor, such as a sturdy box or even a couple of phone books and resting your feet there instead of flat on the floor will take a lot of pressure off of your back. I've suffered with back aches for a lot of years and this really helps!
Cheryl

Thanks for that tip, Cheryl! I suffer from backaches too. My younger daughter bought me one of those Homedics full length massagers for Xmas and on high with heat it's wonderful! :) Really takes the worst of the pain away...

Pen

[Turner]

This thread caught my eye!

I have had on-again-off-again back pain for about twelve years, but rarely in the last six.

I work in my home studio with 2 computers; before that I had a studio in an agency with a desk... but always have had a setup at home, including a drafting table...

My realization came over time but it just dawned on me about three years ago:

Ready?

There is no ideal position.

Now, before you give up hope, know that this is a good thing! Beyond the usual "get up and stretch and walk around" advice, which is absolutely true, here are a few tips and techniques which have essentially eliminated my discomfort:

1) Realize there is no ideal position. When you are comfortable, you are comfortable.

2) Get up, stretch, move around - and when you return to work, do so in a *different position*.

3) Try standing - I wish I had one of those (actually two of those) adjustable height computer tables. Yeah! Some days I feel like I could work standing all day. They're like $1700 a piece, though. Drat.

4) If you have an adjustable height chair, adjust it just a little every once in a while, even as little as an inch. Use an alarm clock to remind yourself if you have to.... the trick to this is *not* waiting until you are uncomfortable, but just before. If you find you become uncomfortable every 30 minutes, do it every 25. If you don't have an adjustable chair, get one. Don't skimp, or your rear end will hurt from the cheap padding. Putting a pillow or towels on the chair won't help... trust me. Trust my butt. Office supply store for this, not art store.

5. I know this will sound nutty.... but hey.... every once in a while, work with your body at a slight angle to your work to the left or the right. For me, this seems to have the effect of stretching! (Not as much as actually stretching)

6) Sit-ups. Yup. (Guilty.... ;) )

7) I'm not a big fan of chiropractors; your body knows where the bones and muscles need to be, and barring an accident or irregularity in your body, if you treat it well, they will find their place. They do not need to be pushed or temporarily reminded where they need to be. I know more people who have greater pain and longer periods of discomfort after visiting chiropractors than before.

What do they do? Make another appointment. It's like a quick fix.

The pains you are feeling are essentially no different than if you were to lift weights out to your sides for five minutes and then feel the hurting after - it's not the position you are in itself, but the act of making your back/neck muscles hold your upper body in a position for a long duration.

Of all these tips, the one which has helped me the most is to keep moving around and change working positions.

Oh, and eat and drink. Don't forget. French fries and a shake if you want - your body needs energy. And get fresh air... in the winter, I open the door and have some nice fresh air every couple of hours... probably a good idea to do this more often when oil painting.

Best,
Andrew

[chris 97]

you might try raising or lowering your work area. i do watercolors and i stand to paint (to have full arm motion)....my husband made blocks for me to raise the table to a omfortable working height.............works for me.

[Anna Marie]

Thanks for the replies but noone mentioned angle for easel.

Well I do get up and walk around as my studio is the dining part of my Kitchen diner. Its great as when I am in the middle of the dinner I glance over my shoulder and think Aha thats what it needs consequently I now live with a luvverly man who accepts that toast and fish fingers come in various shades of black or black or oops the smoke alarm is going.

As for the comment on Chiropractors you are actually quite wrong mine is a Mctimoney Chiropractor and she treats my horse(gorgeous creature) as well as me and has done me a lot of good in the past as I compete and have rearranged both my neck and pelvis on several occcasions at speed and she has kept my engine running so to speak. Unlike old fashioned medicine she doesnt say dont fall off she says when you fall off do this.

But back to the art she has said as Turner suggested that I dont sit in one positon for too long. I will try the tips.
Cheers

P.S I am currently working on a painting that has got me so excited I dont sit still for too long I keep jumping up and dragging my slave in to say 'What do you think isnt this my best so far' and it IS!.

[Turner]

Again: there is no ideal position for you - or your easel. A range of positions is the answer. Walking around but returning to the same position defeats the good that walking around does every time.

Good luck.

Andrew

[paintfool]

You might be surprised to learn that many people think being an artist is easy on the body! LOL!
Cheryl