Ingeborg Foco on thu 6 oct 11
Hi,
I recently had back surgery (Sept 17th) and as yet have not been
cleared to go back to work. I am wondering
if my doc would release me sooner if I throw standing up. My
question: Is there a way to figure out the best height for standing
and throwing? Is standing up really better?
I have an old Brent CXC and I am thinking it would be somewhat easy
to raise the entire wheel to a standing height. Are there any
downsides to throwing standing up? My guess would be instead of back
problems, your feet start aching:).
If any one can give me some input I would appreciate any and all
suggestions. Please feel free to contact me off list if you prefer.
Thanks to all.
Ingeborg
--
http://www.thepottersworkshop.com
William & Susan Schran User on thu 6 oct 11
On 10/6/11 11:20 AM, "Ingeborg Foco" wrote:
> I recently had back surgery (Sept 17th) and as yet have not been
> cleared to go back to work. I am wondering
> if my doc would release me sooner if I throw standing up. My
> question: Is there a way to figure out the best height for standing
> and throwing? Is standing up really better?
John Glick wrote a couple articles for Studio Potter about this subject.
Links to the articles are listed on his web site:
http://plumtreepottery.com/articles/
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Taylor Hendrix on thu 6 oct 11
I placed my Whisper up on a platform for stand up throwing and I loved
it. Then I began to have serious back pain and asked the list about
it. Many told me that I needed to adjust up or down the height of the
wheel head as just a few inches could be the difference between
throwing standing up with or without pain. I raised the wheel and the
pain subsided.
Be sure to adjust the wheel to a height that allows to you stand
without having to bow you back in any way. Leaning forward is okay,
but don't allow that back to have to curve while throwing. Other great
suggestions came from the list as well. Check out the archives for
sure. I hated the sudden and extreme back pain that I was
experiencing. Almost sold the wheel and turned to handbuilding...
Here is a link to my setup BEFORE I realized the wheel was still too
low for my comfort:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lNNKnOgisKXYqtAuEYKHDT0o4AobDw3xNjQxB=
=3D
hq9E4Y?feat=3D3Ddirectlink
Here is me throwing. Take these pictures for what they are worth. I
make no claims regarding their application to your problem.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/toJE8HQQtqs5SmTlFIGKDT0o4AobDw3xNjQxB=
=3D
hq9E4Y?feat=3D3Ddirectlink
Taylor, in Rockport TX
wirerabbit1 on Skype (-0600 UTC)
http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/
On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 10:20 AM, Ingeborg Foco wr=
=3D
ote:
> Hi,
>
> I recently had =3DC2=3DA0back surgery (Sept 17th) and as yet have not bee=
n
> cleared to go back to work. =3DC2=3DA0I am wondering
> if my doc would release me sooner if I throw standing up. =3DC2=3DA0My
> question: =3DC2=3DA0Is there a way to figure out the best height for stan=
ding
> and throwing? =3DC2=3DA0Is standing up really better?
>
...
Michael Mahan on fri 7 oct 11
Ingeborg,
Sorry to hear about the back issues. I've been throwing standing up
for more than 20 years. I made the switch after having back issues.
I'd suggest making a platform to set the wheel on. That way, you can
always sit on a tall stool in front of the wheel for some tasks (such
as trimming) and set your feet on the platform that your wheel is on,
and be able to rest your elbow on your knees, which is one nice thing
about sitting at the wheel. Make the platform wider than the width of
your wheel by a foot or so on each side. It's also a good place to
set a bucket of clay balls. When I'm throwing at my wheel (standing),
I center, open up the clay with a wide stance (sometimes one leg is
back and one forward), lowering my chest toward the wheel head, then
I place my right foot on the platform next to the wheel and rest my
right arm on my knee, using this positioning like a fulcrum to make
the first couple of pulls. I then stand up straight and tall as close
to the wheel as possible. If I'm making a large pot (6 pounds or up),
I sometimes stand on the platform after getting the clay to a certain
height.
If I'm making plates, I sometimes lift my wheel up a couple of inches
by sliding 2x4s under the legs. My platform is 16 inches tall, while
my wheel is a Brent. My son's platform is 19 inches tall. He uses a
Whisper. He might be an inch taller than me in height. I'm 6 feet one
inch tall. I found that switching to standing up worked different
muscles, especially my stomach muscles. Good luck.
Michael Mahan
From the Ground Up
172 Crestwood Road
Robbins, NC 27325
910-464-6228
www.fromthegrounduppots.com
mahanpots@rtmc.net
Liz Gowen 1 on sun 9 oct 11
Ingeborg, It all depends on what type of back surgery and at what level.
Mine involved L4/5 L5/1 Low back as well as my SI joint. Standing for me i=
s
something I have the most trouble with. I have 2 wheels , the first is an
electrified kick wheel. I took the attached seat off and just lowered an
adjustable draftsman char over the pole the seat was on. I adjusted it to a
comfortable level for me and do well with this. My other wheel is a low
boxy type electric like the Brent (can't remember the name) I put that whee=
l
on a hydraulic hand truck from harbor freight. I can adjust the height
depending on whether I am working on tall or flat pieces. Even for very
large pieces I can change the height as it gets taller without the strain. =
I
could stand and throw with the system but since the back injury gave me a
weak leg I do better sitting Think I mostly use a bar stool with that one.
Sometime I shift between standing and sitting. I think this is very
important to try to regularly change positions. Get up move around, work it
into your working rhythm. I like the idea of the cart but don't recommend
the harbor freight one. The hydraulics stopped working after a couple of
years so need to look for another one if I am going to use this wheel. The
wheel isn't the only place in the studio. Counter height, put things on
wheels to move, A set of steps to my electric kiln so I don't strain when
loading it, get help unloading clay to the studio..... Perhaps if your
insurance will allow it an occupational therapist could look at your studio
and make recommendations for your individual weakness.
Liz Gowen
I recently had back surgery (Sept 17th) and as yet have not been cleared t=
o
go back to work. I am wondering if my doc would release me sooner if I
throw standing up. My
question: Is there a way to figure out the best height for standing and
throwing? Is standing up really better?
I have an old Brent CXC and I am thinking it would be somewhat easy to
raise the entire wheel to a standing height. Are there any downsides to
throwing standing up? My guess would be instead of back problems, your feet
start aching:).
If any one can give me some input I would appreciate any and all
suggestions. Please feel free to contact me off list if you prefer.
Thanks to all.
Ingeborg
--
J Motzkin on mon 10 oct 11
Ingeborg,
I have been throwing standing up for years since finding myself creamy and
ache on getting up from the wheel when I was quite young. Three cinderblock=
s
on end under each leg brings my Brent to a good height for me. I am a short
legged 5'3". Wheel head about waist/elbow height. I sometimes brace on the
pan. The front of the wheel is against a wall so I can put my weight into
centering large pieces. I like that I can walk away to bring pieces to the
work table. Keeps me moving. Very tall pieces made by coil and throw
migrate to the seated wheel.
Down side is standing on my left foot. I have a torn tendon that complains
sometimes. I try a tall stool and raised pedal, but find myself putting it
aside and standing again.
My back issues are not as severe as yours must be...mostly arthritis. I do
strength work to keep it at bay.
The cinderblocks are an easy, low commitment way to give it a try.
I hope you are on the mend.
...judy
jmotzkin
@motzkin.com
Taylor Hendrix on tue 11 oct 11
Someone asked to see my pedal modification. I'd love to see others too. Min=
e
is posted in my pots folder of my flickr account.
Taylor, in Rockport TX
wirerabbit1 on Skype (-0600 UTC)
http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/
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