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Sometimes Pottery Hurts

3/16/2011

5 Comments

 
This might be too personal to talk about on a blog. When I sit at my wheel for a few hours, the ends of my pelvic bones get sore. The soreness turns into numbness, then the numbness travels down my legs. It's really painful. My throwing chair is small and contoured and I didn't think I could find a cushion to fit. Someone suggested that I try wearing bicycle shorts. All this did was remind me why I don't even like wearing bike shorts while biking. 
Picture
I dug through my closet and found some small shoe insoles, the kind that are designed to go under the balls of your feet when wearing high heels. They are made of a grippy gel-like material, so they stay put in your shoes. Turns out they stay put on my throwing chair too. I've been sitting on them for five days now, and no pain! Relief from numb butt!

5 Comments
littlewrenpottery link
3/17/2011 12:27:40 am

Sometimes pottery does hurt! I have a milk stool which has a padded cushion. Hope your new arrangement goes ok, I tend to find that my nails always get worn down on my right hand!

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Irene Lawson
6/1/2011 02:39:37 am

Oh, man, get Superfeet to start selling Superass inserts for potters....

Reply
Rachelle Chinnery link
6/2/2011 07:08:02 am

Ten years ago I had surgery for a shattered disc (not pottery related - but pottery aggravated). I began to sit on a small exercise ball at the wheel and after the initial awkwardness, grew to love it! I can roll slightly to the left or right to move pots, grab tools or just get a better look at my work. Also, I position a mirror in front of my wheel so I am not tempted to sit at a potentially 'dangerous' angle to assess my work.

Reply
Annielee
6/4/2011 11:46:14 pm

After starting to suffer back pain as I got out of my throwing chair, couldn't stand up straight for awhile, I decided to learn to throw standing up. So much better. It really didn't take me long to feel comfortable to throw this way. I have saved myself from possible back surgery, as so many other potters have suffered through. Raise the wheel and you will be amazed of the difference it makes you feel.

Reply
Jay Wiese link
4/16/2012 12:28:07 am

I'm gonna steal this idea for use with my meditation bench.

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    Mea Rhee (mee-uh ree),
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