Anita & Nick Feng on fri 19 mar 99
I would appreciate any advise any of you might have. The fact seems to be
that I can no longer load and unload my top-loading electric kiln without my
back giving out. Truely this is a sign of aging! My kiln is also
incredibly old, so I'm thinking that it's time to invest in a more
back-friendly kiln. I was looking at front-loaders, but thought I'd better
ask for some advise. Are they any better? Another worry is that the front
loaders seems so much more expensive. Perhaps there is some other solution?
Thanks so much.
Anita Feng
Issaquah, WA
Earl Brunner on sat 20 mar 99
Front loaders can be just as much of a problem, you still have to lean forward
with what can be heavy shelves to set them in place. I used to put one shelf in
front and one in back. that was a bad reach for the back shelf and gave my back
fits. I now load them side to side which allows me to keep my back straighter
and not have to lean in as far. I wear a back brace while loading. My bad disk
is mid back so I wear it like a corset, pretty high. People try to tell me
I'm wearing it wrong. I tell them it's not their back.
There are kilns that lift the kiln up above the stacking area and then lower it
back down after the space is stacked. I'm sure they are not the cheapest things
around though. If you don't change your kiln design you may have to explore
other options. Can someone else load the kiln?
--
Earl Brunner
bruec@anv.net
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
Anita & Nick Feng wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I would appreciate any advise any of you might have. The fact seems to be
> that I can no longer load and unload my top-loading electric kiln without my
> back giving out. Truely this is a sign of aging! My kiln is also
> incredibly old, so I'm thinking that it's time to invest in a more
> back-friendly kiln. I was looking at front-loaders, but thought I'd better
> ask for some advise. Are they any better? Another worry is that the front
> loaders seems so much more expensive. Perhaps there is some other solution?
>
> Thanks so much.
>
> Anita Feng
> Issaquah, WA
--
Earl Brunner
bruec@anv.net
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
Merrie Boerner on sun 21 mar 99
I suffered with lower back pain off and on for 15 years. My exercise
routines and daily movements in the studio were only aggravating the
situation. So, I bought an easy Yoga video, determined to strengthen those
joints that popped and those muscles that cramped. Gradually the stretching
and gentle strengthening of the back muscles (hip joints, shoulder
joints.....etc.) began to lessen my pain and frequency of strain. I also
became very conscious of how to posture myself during awkward positions I
often get into in the studio. I haven't pulled my back out in several
years, now.
I also had a dear friend to suggest that I throw standing up....that
helped, too, I'm sure : )
I know this doesn't seem like a kiln loading solution, but it helped me
more than anything else (short of hiring a young man to load for me).
Merrie in Mississippi, where the Dogwoods and Azaleas are in full bloom !
Beautiful !
Carol Seidman on mon 22 mar 99
Don't only blame kiln loading for back pain. Bags of clay and buckets
of glaze can take their toll. Just moved a couple of boxes of clay and
made a new rule to open them up and move one bag at a time from now on.
Carol Seidman
NakedClay@aol.com on tue 23 mar 99
Hello Everyone With Weak Backs (and other ClayArr readers):
I write this as a man who has been through two back surgeries. I suggest that
everyone experiencing even an occasional bit of pain from the lower back visit
a physical therapist (this requires a referral from a physician), and begin a
program of exercises which emphasize building up the abdominal muscles. My
therapy program has also included lifting simulations, and weight training.
There is also a number of books related to saving one's back from traumatic
injury. The book I like and recommend is called Treat Your Own Back, by Robin
McKenzie (Spinal Publications New Zealand Ltd., 1981). It is still available
at your local bookstore, or the public library.
Milton NakedClay@AOL.COM
Hoping to be healed up well enough to begin making bigger sculptural objects.
Susan Fox Hirschmann on wed 24 mar 99
In a message dated 3/23/99 9:25:23 AM EST, NakedClay@AOL.COM writes:
<< and begin a
program of exercises which emphasize building up the abdominal muscles. My
therapy program has also included lifting simulations, and weight training.
>>
As a potter and part-time personal trainer.....i can advise you that full body
resistance training is the way to go, to strenghten the entire body, not just
the core muscles (back and abdominals) as a "great warm up" before clay work.
Not only can a physical therapist help, but a certified personal trainer, who
understands the musculature, and the need to stay strong will help you avoid
injury , learn proper form in lifting weights, while avoiding repetitive
stress syndromes that we potters ofen incur on ourselves in working with
clay---or injuries incurred to back muscles that really are not strong enough
for the tasks we call upon them to do!
Full body weight training meaning that all the muscle groups are "trained" at
least once a week, either with free weights, machines, or body-weight
exercises.
A good balanced program will strengthen all muscles.....and kiln loading will
be a snap!
(I studied resistance training about 12 years ago.....as preparation for clay,
and becuase I too was tired of hurting everytime i loaded a kiln----now i do
a balanced program, using the entire body at one time or another, 3 times a
week, and never felt better). It is definitely my own "warm up" for my
claywork.
susan
susan fox hirschmann
hirsch616@aol.com
millie carpenter on thu 25 mar 99
I talked with Chris at the Euclid (sp) booth at NCECA about a system to
raise the kiln off the base because I am very short and one of these
days I will fall in the kiln. but he did have some suggestion about how
to do this counter balance system. also he said it needed to be
stablized so that it didn't swing back and forth. check with him.
millie
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> The solution is to raise the kiln off the base. Fabricate a metal ring that wi
> hold the weight and set the walls with their lid on this. The usual way to rai
> it is by counterbalancing it's weight so that a mere twenty pounds of lift wil
> allow the counterweight to raise the kiln off it's base.
>
> Add to this the elegant of setting the kilns metal legs up on 18 inch high
> blocks and you wouldn't have to stoop over to load your kiln shelves.
>
> Miles Smith
>
> Anita & Nick Feng wrote:
>
> > ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> > I would appreciate any advise any of you might have. The fact seems to be
> > that I can no longer load and unload my top-loading electric kiln without my
> > back giving out. Truely this is a sign of aging! My kiln is also
> > incredibly old, so I'm thinking that it's time to invest in a more
> > back-friendly kiln. I was looking at front-loaders, but thought I'd better
> > ask for some advise. Are they any better? Another worry is that the front
> > loaders seems so much more expensive. Perhaps there is some other solution?
> >
> > Thanks so much.
> >
> > Anita Feng
> > Issaquah, WA
John K Dellow on thu 25 mar 99
I have been musing on this post for a while. When loading a shelf into the kiln
few deep breaths and then a deep one. Focus on the " one point " ( 1/2" below th
) . Tighten the stomach mussels & tighten the buttock ,closing the anus. The sh
lifted with a controlled exhaling . One can do this quietly or as I like a low ,
Tibetan Ohmmm . This keeps ones focus and adds a spiritual level to loading the
This all brings me back to an earlier post Re :- wedging clay. I did not expl
when wedging my 200 to 300 Kg each morning I use the cut & slam method . Berthin
important part of this . Breath in when lifting the clay and out with Ohmm when
down. I'm also anal retentive during this . Keep that anus closed :).
The spiritual also is present when firing with wood . Old lucifer must hate p
coming to his domain & telling him how to stoke the fires of hades .
John Dellow "the flower pot man"
ICQ : #2193986 {jacka}
E-mail : dellow@usa.net
25 Hugh Guinea Ct, Worongary Q 4213
Ph:+61-7-55302875 Fax:+61-7-55253585
Home Page http://www.welcome.to/jkdellow
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