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Better posture for pain-free creating. Here’s how.

Better posture for pain-free creating. Here’s how.

You’re in the zone on a great project: An amazing piece of art is coming to life at your fingertips and that technique you’ve been struggling to master is suddenly easier than ever. You feel content and peaceful. Life is good!

And then….ouch. Your neck starts to throb. Yikes. Your lower back has a kink. And what the heck is going on with your shoulders???

Sound familiar? You’re certainly not alone and it’s likely the root cause of your pain is one many artists struggle with: poor posture.

What is posture?

Posture is simply how you hold your body when you’re actively moving (walking, running) or at rest (sleeping, standing or sitting).

According to MedlinePlus, the key to good posture is your spine. Your spine has three natural curves—at your neck and mid and low back—and your goal is to maintain your head above your shoulders and the top of your shoulders should be over your hips.

 

Not sure what your posture looks like—or think it’s not a problem? A picture’s worth a thousand words. Ask a friend to snap a picture when you’re in the middle of a project and share it with you. You might be surprised by what you see!

 

4 ways to improve your posture and reduce pain

  1. Sit smarter.

    Do you tend to hunch over when you work? Slouch in your chair? Sit in an uncomfortable spot? These can all cause you pain—and sometimes the fix is so simple, like raising/lowering your chair a few inches or moving your supplies so they’re easier to reach. Check out the MedlinePlus link to see what smart sitting looks like and some great tips to help you get there.

 Want to learn even more about sitting smart? See this ergonomics presentation for additional insights. 

  1. Stand smarter.

    Work in a standing position? Wear low-heeled shoes and keep your shoulders back and stomach in. Put your weight mostly on the balls of your feet and keep your head level. 

  1. Get better lighting.

    Bad lighting can cause you to hunch over, lean in or slouch—all posture no-nos. You might have gotten a task lamp to address the problem, but how long have you had that lamp and is it still doing the job for you? As we age, our lighting needs change. Does it feel like you need more and better light? You probably do (check out this post to learn more). 

  1. Wear your complete prescription when creating (distance, plus reading correction).

    Find yourself taking your glasses off because they don’t allow you to see the detail in close work? Have progressive or no-line bifocals and find the near-lens portion is too small to meet your needs when you’re creating? Working without your glasses might seem like a logical workaround, but it can cause eye strain and headaches. Plus, you’ll be more likely to lean in or hunch over—and increase your neck/shoulder/back pain.

CraftOptics magnifying eyeglasses can be a great solution. CraftOptics enhances your complete prescription (near and far correction), comes with a super bright, shadow-free light, and are available in three working distances to get you into the perfect posture. Magnification + bright light means you’ll be able to see what you’re working on in amazing detail and maintain good posture too! Plus, you can take your project anywhere, instead of being limited to a particular spot with good light—imagine being able to work on your project during a family gathering or while you’re enjoying your favorite TV show.

Don’t let pain keep you out of the zone! Learn how CraftOptics can help you have great posture for quilting, sewing, needlework, beadwork, jewelry making or any other detail activity. Call us today at 888-444-7728 or pop out to our FAQs.

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