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Back Fatigue

Lifting belts dont actually support the back until the addomen is pushed forward, this creates pressure internally and adds some support to the "inner" lower spine.

On thier own in a relaxed state they do nothing.

I'd concentrate effors on reloaction of the drive so you are in an confortable, nontwisted, correct height position, - or sitting down ?
 
cwearing said:
Anyone with experience using something like the lifting belts to diminish back fatigue while turning?😕
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You'd have to have something akin to the lifters' leather belt or a corset type prescribed by your physician to get any real twist limit and support. Rigidity is what's required.

Most "back" problems are really stance problems. Spreading your feet and shifting weight on faceplate work helps. If you're doing spindle turning which won't tolerate different angles, try putting a rail or step like the bar of old down below. What kept the drunks' backs in good shape helps the sober, too.

Seems intuitive, but the number of people who talk about bending and peering must mean it isn't, so I remind you that 1/20th of a second after the wood passes your tool (@600) you can follow the progress of the cut on the opposite side of inside work - even while standing bolt upright.
 
Lathe height

I am 6'4" (I've shrunk 2") now so I know about the back hurting. My older lathe was not as tall I found myself hurting after even a couple hour session. Since I bought my 2436 with the tallest leg set, which puts the spindle at elbow height I have not had many problems at all. Check to see where the spindle hits your body and if its too low then make some kind of platform to raise it. It works wonders when your posture is correct

Vernon
 
I agree with Vernon you can generate all kinds of differnt pain from elbow to back from having the lathe at the wrong height. I use a wood mat to sand on kinda like the old machniest stood on in front of their metal lathes. If you stand crooked or ware your shoes off one side or the other the rubber mats will give and you will be standing crooked and not know it. This does not work for everbody but the right lathe height and the wood mat works for me, worked it out by trial and error. Good Luck
 
Well, the issue of bad posture has been said and done. Wrong lathe height, or bending over when turning. It is hard to remember to stand up straight some times. Having good shoes, and floor mats adds to fixing this.

For me, a lot of the problem also comes from the 'Dunlaps' disease, as in my belly dun laps over my belt, or "I knew I was a furniture maker when my chest went into my drawers". If you suck in the gut a bit, you will notice the pain and stress eases up. I also do a lot of Thai Chi stretches that move my hips and back.

robo hippy
 
Ditto posture and fatigue mat.
lathe height is another name for posture

check your shoes and use a fatigue mat.
Bad shoes or flip flops can lead to back fatigue.
I really like a short hiking shoe they are comfortable and provide a cushioned support. They are made to keep you comfortable walking 20 miles.

I have some back problems. Standing for a long time like at a party iritates my back a lot.

Turning doesn't bother it a bit. I think in turning I'm constantly shifting weight from foot to foot an turning my body.

Happy turning
al
 
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After back surgery a few years ago to fuse L4-5, I wore a brace for a few months to help stabilize the spine during healing. It was a serious looking contraption that really did its job of restraining motion in the lower part of the spine. It is not particularly intended for comfort as much as it is for restricting movement and transferring loads to the hips in the way that a good backpack does.

It is important to first identify the cause of your back pain. Muscular and spinal pain require different types of treatment. Frequently, spinal problems cause as much or more problems in the legs than in the back itself. While things like proper posture and lathe height will help with spinal problems, the benefit will be minimal or temporary.

The little nylon belts that you see employees wear at the big box stores might help with muscle strain, but I am unconvinced that they actually serve any useful purpose. They might possibly serve as reminders to use correct posture and to not overexert the back muscles.
 
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I have a cloth/velcro weight lifter's belt that I frequently use while lathe turning. I also use it for motorcycle riding. It's much stiffer than those industrial back supports with suspenders (I've use those too)

These are only about ten or twelve dollars at Walmart.....so, it wouldn't cost much to see if it would help your back support needs.

ooc
 
As I get older I find I have to do more to avoid aches and pains. So what else is new!
There's a book I recommend every chance I get, and over the last ten years I have probably given a dozen copies to folks I know.
The title is "Somatics" and the author is Thomas Hanna.
I cannot recommend it highly enough.
"Low back pain" is epidemic nowadays, mostly in people of a ...let's just say...certain age. And it's mostly men, and there are fascinating reasons for that.
This book explains why most of that occurs. And tells what to do about it.

There are times when the problem is genuinely skeletal of course, out of whack discs and so on, so if you suspect something like that it's best to get it checked out, but far and away most problems are muscular in origin, though if allowed to progress uncorrected they can, and do, cause structural problems.

It's hard to talk about this stuff without sounding like some time-capsule hippy or New Age woo-woo, but there it is.
For less than the cost of a pain med prescription it's not exactly a big gamble, and it won't make you drowsy.
 
Do more situps and core body exercises. Put a 4x4 near the lathe and place one foot on it occasioanally. Swap feet. This does a lot to relax the back. Hang a pipe from the ceiling and hang from it occasionally. Heck while your there do a few pullups. I've fought back problems most of my life but fortunately I work out hard and it keeps it at bay. Standing on the concrete floor at work is the worst thing for me.
I purposely have some things that I use while turning, half way across the room. Seems wasteful but walking across the room really relaxes my back and feet.
 
If it hurts when you do that (to coin a phrase), don't do that. Several good suggestions above to try something different that doesn't hurt.
 
You know........John Lucas is absolutely right about the benefits of exercise. I thought about mentioning something about that, but didn't, because my reasoning told me that if a turner won't exercise for general health reasons, he probably won't do it to better his turning experience.

One thing that should be understood, though.......is it takes more than a few weeks or months of good solid exercise to see marked improvement......it takes a long term commitment to fully understand it's significance.

ooc
 
Ellsworth's book has some great stretching exercises in it (he does the hanging one too). I've found that wearing comfortable sneakers is key, along with never keeping your wallet in your back pocket.
 
It's hard to talk about this stuff without sounding like some time-capsule hippy or New Age woo-woo, but there it is.

That's a great quote! Being an old hippy, I love it. In dealing with arthritis, the kind that came from use and abuse, I found that staying active is much less painful that being inactive. Stretching, Thai Chi, Yoga, walking, swimming, or some sort of exercise does more than any medicine.

Maybe some one needs to do an article on stretching exercises for woodturners.

robo hippy
 
As far as I know there has only been one article on fitness and stretching to prevent pain and aches on the lathe. I thought about writing one but I'm not a doctor, just a long time fitness addict. I don't think I could do it justice like physical therapist could.
We have lots of common problems, back,feet, carpel tunnel, and of course just general age related aches and pains. A good physical Therapist could probably help with a lot of these.
 
I think the best service we can give to the younger turners is to advise them. Repeat to yourself *** I AM NOT INVINCIBLE - I AM NOT INVINCILE **. Don't ask me how I know this.

Vernon
 
robo hippy said:
Well, the issue of bad posture has been said and done. Wrong lathe height, or bending over when turning. It is hard to remember to stand up straight some times. Having good shoes, and floor mats adds to fixing this.

For me, a lot of the problem also comes from the 'Dunlaps' disease, as in my belly dun laps over my belt, or "I knew I was a furniture maker when my chest went into my drawers". If you suck in the gut a bit, you will notice the pain and stress eases up. I also do a lot of Thai Chi stretches that move my hips and back.

robo hippy
Click to expand...

Thats too funny! Problem is it is apparently contagious!

A couple of things I try to do is five deep knee bends after every bowl rough out or similar time interval, and one situp for every ounce of beer I drink.
hr
 
I have a note posted on my refrigerator that says If you ride 20 miles at 17mph pace you burn enough calories to eat a banana split. There is a Dairy Queen 17 miles away with a large hill between me and it. I ride up there, eat my banana split and then ride back home. Works for me.
Now if you could tell me what to do when your whole body hurts after spending a day working in the shop and around the yard. I'm worn out, but it's a good feeling.
 
John,
Stretching is as important as exercising. Minimal amounts of stretching after a work out cuts out a lot of the aches and pains. A hot tub helps some too.

robo hippy
 
Dunlaps

I have the ultimate example of dunlaps disease. When I was young )don't go there) and in the service I worked in a comm center with a guy nicknamed Steamboat. He was talking on a teletype machine and complained that it was locked up. I looked over and stated laughing. His belly was hanging on the space bar.

Vernon
 
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