My back is killing me....

[chefisaac 0]

I have only been tying for a small amount of time and I use a roll top desk, which I love. But I can only sit for about 2 or 3 flies and then my upper back starts to really hurt. I have tried other chairs at different heights. Anyone have this problem before?

[MowestFlyfisher 0]

 

 

 

I do too but i know its my chair a small wooden one is not the best bet i would find a more comfortable chair to use. that and i have to lean forward with the chair and desk i have because i cannot slide the chair under the desk at all. hope this helps a bit.

[JohnP 0]

I have that problem too, although I can usually last an hour before I have to get up and stretch. I have some longstanding back problems that contribute to my woes. I would suggest you play around with different chair configurations and vise positions to see if there is one that works better for you. The lighting could also be a problem - if you are having to strain your eyes to see the fly, that will put your back out of proper position.

[narcodog 0]

I use a vise extender, it brings the vise out from the edge of the desk. Feather-Craft has tow model's.

[Polarbear78 0]

mine doesn't start to hurt until about the 4th or 5th straight hour

[jbenwa 0]

yea get a extender to move the vise up!

[garthman 0]

I have only been tying for a small amount of time and I use a roll top desk, which I love. But I can only sit for about 2 or 3 flies and then my upper back starts to really hurt. I have tried other chairs at different heights. Anyone have this problem before?

 

 

I also use a roll top desk, but i no longer have the issue with my upper back hurting. I LOWERED my vise and moved it closer to my body using extenders; the vise head now sits at the low end of my breastbone, and closer to my body. I believe my arms were raised and held up too long to be comfortable. if you'd like me to send you a photo of my setup, PM me and we'll get it done.

 

hth

 

 

garthman

[Bryan Wright 0]

I have the same problem and I have a roll top desk as well. Although I last a bit longer than that. I have considered a new chair and an extender as has already been posted. I also think when we are new we start using muscles that we don't normally use and they have to be built up. I last longer now than I did when I first started.

[JSzymczyk 0]

let me get this straight... you can sit down and get through more than 2 flies without a kid or wife nagging about something , making you get up and move around?

[Chase Creek 0]

I used to have a back problem with a standard office chair. The height of my desk is 30", standard height for most desks. I switched to a different chair - I think they call them a "secretary's chair" or a "task chair".

It has no arm rests and swivels, of course. The back is adjustable up and down, and the pressure needed to move the back is adjustable. Think that's the case with most of the chairs of this type.

 

Haven't had any problems since. I use a c-clamp type mount for the vise, so the vise is probably 6" or so above the desk top. With me, that puts the hook about to the top of my sternum, height-wise. Have thought of getting an extender to bring the vise out away from the desk, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

[Kimo 0]

What helped me was raising the fly I was tying closer to eye level, extending the vise out past my table and doing some old-fashioned crunches which strengthened my stomach and better supported my back.

[fairwxflyfish 0]

Ergonomics is the key here, as with your computer Keyboard level ..

 

Set your vise so that when you work on the fly you are not too far above or below it and your hands are at a natural level with the fly and tools.. this is very important if you wish to stay at fly tying..

 

As mentioned above a task chair is great, and very good lighting, it is a great idea to get up and stretch about every half an hour, I play vinyl albums on my record player and get to change sides..

[clemmy 0]

A cheap thing to try is to sit on an exercise ball. Likely a 65cm or 75cm one depending on desk height. You will likely need an extender as the ball won't fit under the desk as well. The ball is less stable, and may well take some getting used to. But sitting on one forces your core trunk musculature to fire to keep balance, and unloads the spine. Some can't stand it, but for others it's the Bee's knees. They only cost about $10-$15, so it's a cheap experiment.

 

Another thing to try is ask someone to secretly look at you from behind while you are in the middle of tying. If you are shifted to one side, it can be a good indicator of spinal pathology, such as spinal stenosis, herniated disc, etc. etc. That you'd be best of seeing a Ortho or Neuro specialist.

 

Good Luck!

 

Craig

 

(physical therapist)

[Capt Bob LeMay 0]

Many years ago I had the same "lower back killing me" thing after an hour or two at the vise. Since I was doing four to six hours sessions I had to find a solution. What I came up with was one of those Danish modern, "knee chairs" (not sure of the correct name for the style of chair that has no back, but comes with a pad to rest your knees on). It forces you to assume a posture that saves your lower back. Now the hurting part is only in my neck and shoulders after too many hours at the bench. It allowed me to continue as a commercial tyer... without it I'd probably found something to do that paid a lot more money, but that's another proposition.

 

Tight Lines

Bob LeMay

[Stippled Popper 0]

As the good Captain said and your Mom: "posture" or in today's terms ergonomically sound.