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Typing, RSI, and what I do differently

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Re: Typing, RSI, and what I do differently

#51

Post by robotmay »

Xevi wrote: post #30
robotmay wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a Logitech MX Ergo which I quite like, which is a thumb trackball. I'm not sure how that compares to finger-trackballs though as I've never owned one, but a few friends have things like the Kensington one and like it a lot.

Alright, thanks. I've looked at that mouse before but I'm afraid that the ball will wear out my thumb even more. Maybe it's worth a shot though, or maybe I should go for one of those Kensington trackballs that you use your whole hand with.

Yeah it’s a shame they’re all quite expensive really and thus quite hard to try a few different ones longer term. A vertical mouse might also be worth investigating perhaps?

One thing I like about the MX Ergo is that it’s very easy to use reclined with it on your chest, which sounds odd but can be good when you’re just clicking about.

Re: Typing, RSI, and what I do differently

#52

Post by polyterative »

esja wrote: post #19

I've been typing for 36 years now (since I was a child), and have never had RSI once, or anything close to it. I think it's because I never learned to touch-type "properly". I use most of my fingers, and I type very fast, but I'm not hitting the "correct" keys with the "correct" fingers - I'm just following whatever comfortable patterns I've burned into muscle memory over all these years. If someone asked me to descr…

I had a very bad episode before touche typing and several less severe after colemak. Sheer workload seems to be the cause

Re: Typing, RSI, and what I do differently

#53

Post by eimrine »

robotmay wrote: post #48
eimrine wrote: post #39

I saw the gif from your website and you are not touchtyping.

Er, I am touchtyping, unless we have very different understandings of the term. I look at the screen when typing, or can type whilst holding a conversation with somebody. I can even look at the screen whilst holding a camera under my chin in order to film it ;)

As a touchtypist, I can not understand how can you touchtype while not holding your index fingers on FJ keys with sensible relief. I feel very uncomfortable if neither left nor right index finger touches those keys. And instead of having rest on the buttons, your fingers are flying, which is ridiculous from my point of view and requires an unusual level of stamina. Sorry if I am wrong, just the animation is very different from my experience.

Re: Typing, RSI, and what I do differently

#54

Post by accelbred »

throwaway_moo wrote: post #9

This is not excellent advice regarding the keyboard used. Instead: - learn about the risk factors: https://kinesis-ergo.com/solutions/keyboard-risk-factors/ Keep in mind that there are hundreds of tendons in our hands, so the pattern of inflammation is very personal. Anecdotes are not your friend. - use split keyboards (or any ergo keyboard with enough space between hands) with inclination to limit pronation - use or…

Typing on ortholinear is quite uncomfortable for me. I find column staggered to be far better. Also why would someone learning a new layout pick Dvorak when there are better alternatives like Colemak, Workman, or Colemak mod-DH? Theres softer mechanical keys too like silenced linears.

Re: Typing, RSI, and what I do differently

#55

Post by retzkek »

robotmay wrote: post #51
Xevi wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Alright, thanks. I've looked at that mouse before but I'm afraid that the ball will wear out my thumb even more. Maybe it's worth a shot though, or maybe I should go for one of those Kensington trackballs that you use your whole hand with.

Yeah it’s a shame they’re all quite expensive really and thus quite hard to try a few different ones longer term. A vertical mouse might also be worth investigating perhaps? One thing I like about the MX Ergo is that it’s very easy to use reclined with it on your chest, which sounds odd but can be good when you’re just clicking about.

The Logitech M570 and new M575 are a cheaper way to try out a thumb trackball. I've been using an M570 for a couple years, quite happy with it, except that I've found it needs to be put on a 20-30 degree wedge to reduce wrist strain (the Ergo MX has this built in).

Re: Typing, RSI, and what I do differently

#56

Post by anonuser123456 »

I had RSI and switched to a kinesics advantage. My RSI somewhat went away but not completely.

Eventually I figured out I had cubital tunnel syndrome from sleeping with my arms above my head. A few weeks with a new pillow and sling and I was back to 100%.

Typing pain may be a prominent feature of RSI, but very commonly it is not the root cause.

Re: Typing, RSI, and what I do differently

#57

Post by robotmay »

eimrine wrote: post #53
robotmay wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Er, I am touchtyping, unless we have very different understandings of the term. I look at the screen when typing, or can type whilst holding a conversation with somebody. I can even look at the screen whilst holding a camera under my chin in order to film it ;)

As a touchtypist, I can not understand how can you touchtype while not holding your index fingers on FJ keys with sensible relief. I feel very uncomfortable if neither left nor right index finger touches those keys. And instead of having rest on the buttons, your fingers are flying, which is ridiculous from my point of view and requires an unusual level of stamina. Sorry if I am wrong, just the animation is very diff…

Haha no worries, it's actually a good question as to how it works, as I'm not entirely sure myself. I think the closest equivalent is genuinely musical instruments: I also never look at the keyboard of my accordions. I imagine a part of it is having a constant reference point aside from the fingers, such as having the keyboard in a specific place, or perhaps I'm anchoring more around the modifier keys than the letters.

When I get a chance I'd quite like to film it from a few angles simultaneously to see if there's anything that can be easily identified.

Re: Typing, RSI, and what I do differently

#58

Post by korijn »

AQuantized wrote: post #15
jarnagin wrote: post #10

A lot of people really underestimate the impact that mobility and strengthening can have addressing issues with RSI. If you're struggling with RSI, consider going to physical therapy as your condition may be caused by a wide variety of issues that aren't obvious based on the pain you're having. My own experience was that I dealt with ulnar nerve RSI for about a year. During that time I wore braces at night and tried…

What sort of exercises do you do to help with this? I've been finding it very hard to work on shoulder strength, especially the scapula, without just impinging it more

After going through the exact same thing (ulnar nerve RSI, pain in my wrist and hand, caused by my shoulder), my PT recommended a suspension trainer. It's cheap, doesn't take a lot of space and you can adjust your body angle to "set the weight". For example, if push ups are too hard, just reduce the angle until you can handle it. This way you can vary load from nothing up to your body weight. Pretty easy to set up too (I just bolted it onto a sturdy wall).

He recommended I exercise every day, I picked just before bedtime as a constant so it's easier to remember.

Instead of sets and repetitions he gave me the rule to just keep going with each exercise until I can't anymore (and that doesn't take much in the beginning).

Finally he gave me the advice to always choose exercises from three different categories: push, pull, and legs.

So you could get started with (1) pull ups/rows/flys, (2) standing push ups and finish with (3) squats for example. There's tons of charts online. Rows and flys are good for strengthening your shoulders.

Also, remember to take the exercises slowly and be mindful/aware of your motions and posture. Don't rush through them, put some music on, put your phone away, focus on the exercises! Quality over quantity.

Hope this helps. It worked wonders for me!

Re: Typing, RSI, and what I do differently

#59

Post by retzkek »

anderspitman wrote: post #6

My physical therapist's best guess is that I have pinched radial nerves in both arms. Things that have helped the most: 1. Stretches and nerve glides every couple hours. 2. Ergo keyboard[0], focused on separation so my arms are more squared with my body, and on keys that are easy to press (no more mechanical keyboard for me). 3. Foot pedals for CTRL/SHIFT/ALT. I hacked together[1] a custom solution with an arduinio a…

> on keys that are easy to press (no more mechanical keyboard for me).

You may like Kailh speed switches, especially Copper - light touch, short activation, satisfying tactile bump.

https://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2017/11/an-introdu...

Re: Typing, RSI, and what I do differently

#60

Post by lukeramsden »

jarnagin wrote: post #10

A lot of people really underestimate the impact that mobility and strengthening can have addressing issues with RSI. If you're struggling with RSI, consider going to physical therapy as your condition may be caused by a wide variety of issues that aren't obvious based on the pain you're having. My own experience was that I dealt with ulnar nerve RSI for about a year. During that time I wore braces at night and tried…

I've absolutely noticed that my RSI / carpal tunnel flare-ups are extremely closely correlated with the closure of gyms in my local area due to pandemic restrictions. Now I'm training on bars at the park its getting a lot better.
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