61–70 of 123 posts
Switched to a Dvorak keyboard layout, although I did so before it got chronic (meaning pain without typing), on an ergonometric keyboard. Also started using the mouse with the left hand, despite having (a fairly strong) right-hand affinity.
I had wrist pain earlier in my career (pre-trackpad) that I fixed by switching to Dvorak and using a left-handed mouse or trackball.
But that pain comes back within ~10 minutes of using a trackpad. Those things should be banned, IMO.
A physiotherapist who specialised in treating pianists cured my RSI in six sessions. 30 years later you can still see odd bumps on my forearms, on the inside, but functionally I never has problems again. She saved my career. Thank you.
That's not RSI! That's from posture! This happened to me when I worked on the couch with my laptop on my lap. And to my friend. And to my mom. And to my other friend. It's always the same source, the ulnar nerve root coming out of C8-T1, always the same problem, the angle of the neck (looking down) and the set of the shoulders (typically because the elbows aren't supported in a neutral position), and the fix is always the same, use a proper height desk with a proper height monitor and proper height arm rests.
Work out and lift weights. But ergonomically speaking I use a Kinesis Advantage 2 keyboard and a Logitech MX Vertical mouse. You may also need a long break to heal, which might not be an option if you're American. An engineer from Germany I know had something like 4 or 6 weeks off work when diagnosed with RSI and nobody batted an eye.
Work out and lift weights. But ergonomically speaking I use a Kinesis Advantage 2 keyboard and a Logitech MX Vertical mouse. You may also need a long break to heal, which might not be an option if you're American. An engineer from Germany I know had something like 4 or 6 weeks off work when diagnosed with RSI and nobody batted an eye.
Did the mouse make a big difference for you? I came across it recently and was considering getting it as my wrist has been getting pretty creaky. I tried putting my hand in that position on my desk and it certainly feels quite relaxing, but I have no idea whether it'll actually feel more comfortable in regular long-term use.
Over the previous months of September-December I binged-ate donuts multiple times a week, partly due to lockdown depression. I developed numbness and tingling in my arms & wrists. [I'm young in mid 20s].
Cut sugar since the new year and no more tingling/numbness.
He agreed that it seemed my ulnar neve was getting pinched by my elbow, most likely (i had Google around, and while I don't think googling equals an experienced doctor, I told him my symptoms, what I read up on, and asked if he thought it was something like that. To my surprise he agreed after some tests and asking me questions).
He told me to start sleeping in a manner where I couldn't curl or fold my arms. He even advised taking a small pillow, wrapping it around my arm, and ducttapping it, so I couldn't bend my elbow at night even if I wanted to!
I didn't do that, but I did pay more attention to how I sleep, and kept my arms naturally straight (relaxed) when I slept. I did have an extra pillow, and I'd lay that across my arm, which was enough. Anytime I woke up and my arm was folded, I reextended it.
After a few weeks of that, and the pain and tingling not growing, it started greatly reducing and went away. I still try to sleep with my arms as straight as possible.