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User Interface and Carpal Tunnel - Tech Solutions?
the_REAL_sam asks: "I've been using computers since the apple 2+. I've played many games, and worked in silicon valley. I can't even guess how many hours I've logged at a keyboard. Now I'm 32 years old, and my hands sometimes shake and get numb after using a keyboard/mouse for too long. So I'm asking Slashdot what, if any, affordable technology exists to circumvent the traditional (potentially RSI-inducing) means of human-computer interface."
That shaking hand problem has another cause.. frequent exercise.. not that i know anything about that.. ;)
Microsoft Plus for Windows XP costs under $25 (donation goes towards Microsoft developers and their families), and has a built-in speech engine that allows you to interact via voice with MS applications, plus they provide complete speech API for free , if you're into software development.
I am not a doctor, but what I do is have various input devices, wheel mouse, regular mouse, split keyboard, regular keyboard and every couple of months change my main computer's devices. I don't know if this will actually help but the change feels nice.
Useless sig.
Well, there's always Microsoft's much touted voice interface system. Productivity might dip a bit though.
The only technology you need is in your body. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a symptom; not the root of a problem. Your hands are taking a beating because likely your back, shoulder and pelvis are all out of alignment. I've been using computers since I was 9 (I'm 26 now) and having been working full-time at a computer for the last 8 years. I've found the only thing to fight of musculoskeletal dysfunction is Pete Egoscue's Pain Free for the PC
--
Evan
"$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
Maybe some form of weightlifting would help you.
I never have any pains other than sore muscles, and I routinely log 12-14 hours daily on a computer. A big part of that is time spent in the gym. You don't have to be a bodybuilder, just exercise 3 or 4 times a week at some light to medium weights. Figure out what the maximum weights you can lift are, then do about 60-70% of that weight for 4 sets of 8 repititions. Recheck your maximum weights every couple months, and adjust accordingly.
It will make you feel better, and improve your concentration when you have to sit still and type all day. Also, the women like guys with a little muscle on them
"If you think you have things under control, you're not going fast enough." --Mario Andretti
It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! RSI Theory & Therapy for Computer Professionals
An Education is the Font of All Liberty
When my girlfriend, a professional writer and editor, got carpal tunnel, her doctor prescribed a wrist brace that she had to wear for x hours per day for y weeks (don't remember the exact numbers). We also made four other changes:
1. Traded in the stick-shift for an automatic.
2. Got her a smaller and lighter purse (less crap in it).
3. Went to a trackball.
4. Went to a split keyboard (Microsoft Natural).
The carpal tunnel has not returned in the intervening years.
I started to get carpal tunnel syndrome myself and went with a split keyboard and a trackball. That did the trick for me.
If you have wide shoulders, I strongly recommend the split keyboard. The wider your shoulders, the worse the angle on the wrists to use a conventional keyboard. As to mice or trackballs, trackballs rock and mice suck -- especially if you do much graphics (e.g., Photoshop) work. Get a good one and don't get one of those idiotic ones that you operate with your thumb. I recommend the ones by Mouse-Trak. Very high quality, ball size and weight is substantial, and price is reasonable at around the $100 mark.
Good luck and don't ignore the problem or it will just get much worse. Treat it early.
Try a Twiddler. Comes in PS2 and USB models.
If all this should have a reason, we would be the last to know.
Talk to a doctor right away. If your hands are going numb and shaking then you need a qualified physician to look at them. Also, JWZ has some good information about RSI.
Prevent email address forgery. Publish SPF records for y
I almost never need to use the mouse outside
of web surfing. I use emacs to edit files, compile, read news, read mail, debug (with gdb) and run shells. I even use the keyboard to switch between subwindows (c-x o). Since I started this system (and got a split keyboard---comfort keyboards are amazing) my wrist problems have more or less gone away.
When someone makes a web browser that has an emacs interface, I will use it. Aside from that, if it cannot be done in emacs, it is not worth doing.
dtg
The truth is an offense, but not a sin.------R. N. Marley
The injury is not caused by *what* you do, but how often you do it.
;))
Any user interface method will suffer from this in exactly the same way - if you spend too much time doing the same action, you will cause damage - tennis players and coal miners will tell you that they also suffer.
The only long term solution is to vary your actions. (I guess I'm saying you should tear yourself away from the computer for a few minutes each day, but I know that's asking a lot of some folk here
(Spudley Strikes Again!)
Quickie... STRETCH!
Every hour or two and before you start in the morning, stop working and stretch your hands and arms. http://www.mydailyyoga.com/yoga/rsi.html
I had problems a few years ago with these types of symptoms, and after seeing a physiotherapist (and performing these types of exercise) for a while they went away.
Unfortunately, if you are experiencing numbness you may have damaged some of your nerves. I would recommend seeing a doctor/physiotherapist very soon or you could completely lose use of your hands.
1. Do google searches on 3 types of wrist deviation.
2. Get keyboard that help with deviations. Kinesis Keyboard
3. Get multiple pointing devices like this.
4. Switch among devices, using left and right hands.
5. Take a break to stretch every 20 minutes minimum.
6. Do a google search on stretches for CTS and wrists, arm, shoulder, back, chest.
Has anyone had any experience repacing a mouse with a tablet when it comes to comfort. The keyboard doesn't bother me, but after using the mouse for a long time, my hand gets tired in an unpleasant way. I'm thinking of getting a tablet since I never experienced any discomfort using a pen for extended periods of time. Any comments?
I was developing numbness in my mousing hand at work, was sent to workers comp, and found out I had tendinitis (lucky it was only that). A few things I found out:
/. crowd), your primary one should be directly in front of you. Look on the back of your LCD screen if you have one - you will see a mounting area with 4 screws. These are all the same, and you can buy a monitor arm for them.
1) The computer screen should be directly in front of you, at eye level. Should be obvious, but quite a few people don't do it. If you are one of the dual-screen types (I expect there are a lot in the
2) Your knees should be at a 90 degree angle. This might mean a new chair.
3) Your forearms should be parallel to the ground when typing on the keyboard. This might mean a keyboard tray, which is a wise investment.
4) Your forearms should also be parallel to the ground when using the mouse. No putting it on the top of the desk.
5) If you read from documents while you are working, you should seriously consider a copy holder that puts it near eye level (many monitor stands have this feature, or you can get a model that puts the document next to the monitor).
6) Look for ergonomic equipment. For mice, I use a Humanscale mouse, which forces my wrist to be straight when I use it. Trackballs are good for people as well. The split keyboards are very useful for some. You can actually get mice you can operate with your feet as well.
7) Learn to use the mouse with your opposite hand, and trade off.
8) Learn keyboard shortcuts.
I'm not a doctor, don't take this as medical advice, blah blah blah.
I am also 32, and I've also been using computers since the Apple ][ days, and I've found that regular excercise that uses my hands (basketball, baseball, throwing a football around) is invaluable. Having a 9 year old son who is active in sports helps a ton, too.
I've nver has RSI and have been pulling away for 12 years now.
On every PC you use, have a different keyboard and mouse. Particularly mouse. Change the mouse on at least one PC every six months. I've been using computers for what feels like forever (~25 years give or take), but because I'm always swapping between different hardware, seating and posture I don't have any problems.
If your looking at Voice Recognition applications first thing you would need to do is get a good microphone and makesure the soundcards decent.... Training the applications is pretty easy but id suggest reading all the books/samples it wants you to read several times to it so it has a good chance. I have done alot of Dictation stuff with "Dragon dictate's" series and they seem to work pretty well. I found an australian version and spent about 10 hours training it the first few days. Once it gets the hang of you as long as your not too much of an emotional speaker...ie speak monotoned and at a steady pace. Grammar etc generally sucks in them but its good enough to get started. I write about 15 pages in dicatation then spend 15 minutes grammar checking and proofing them. I would suggest you try split keyboards and better seating etc first though as its rather a painful process to train them. Imagine readying 3 pages of the same book 5 times without finding out anything more... and then doing it with say 10 books.... its enough to make you want to get a secretary... oh some of the products also now have Wav to text stuff. so you can use a dictaphoine of good quality also.. remember its trained for your voice tho so everyone who talks to it needs to be trained.
WTF - Speak in acronyms already, i can't figure out what you mean otherwise boss
I'm a hard core rock climber and college student. Typing papers on stressed hands had to stop when I was using the Qwerty layout. I switched to Dvorak (Vowels on the left home row, most used consanants on the right, bottom row is all obscure things) and it took a month or so to get fast again but I never look back.
I haven't posted in so long, my sig is out of date.
RSIGuard has been really helpful at making me take breaks. It comes with a feature which remembers how many times you've skipped breaks and calculates your willpower from that.
It thinks I have very low willpower and won't let me skip any breaks. Locks me out of the computer completely, keyboard doesn't work.
Sure, input devices is one area that has been under some scrutiny now by a lot of vendors to better devices. Unfortunately, most new devices that come out are re-designs of existing devices (a better style mouse, or keyboard wrist supports, etc), and not any significant change in the devices themselves.
However, given the innovations and improvements in all fields, rather sooner than later we will have some new devices or mechanisms of input (there is talk already of speech-based input devices).
However, I firmly believe for people in sedate, desk jobs like ours, we should exercise in one form or the other. Pick up a sport. Badminton, Squash or even Tennis aren't that easy to start with. America has a significant love for Golf, so that's not a bad option either.
Keep one of the grip-enhancers near you and you can use that whenever you have time during the day (it supinates and stresses upon your wrist and forearm muscles)
If possible, enroll in a gym. You don't have to start lifting monumental weights, but you would at least strain yourself physically, spurting muscle development and tissue regneration
If the gym is not suitable, you can do simple exercises at home - pushups, situps, crunches, chin-ups, etc all help.
All told, I sympathize with you and the work-related ailment/side effect. Science and technology do help, but I believe we all have an onus to look after our bodies as well
http://efil.blogspot.com/
I'm a user who has gone through serious pain due to mouse overuse.
I really want something that watches where my eyes are focused as a pointing device.
Then if I tap my index finger against my thumb, it's a left click.
Second finger against my thumb, it's a right-click.
Index finger stroking the thumb, it's a wheelie scroll.
I understand that there are issues. Like that eyes get "jitters", but surely these problems can be overcome.
Then there's the keyboard - but don't get me started on that!
Surfing the web is sometimes that may cause serious injuries to your wrists.
You must constantly try to click on very small links. In order to do so, you first move the pointer near the zone you need to click, and then you unintentionnally stress all your muscles in order to "slow down" the pointer and put it to the exact target location. _This_ is exactly what brings RSIs.
If you have to work with browsers all day long, definitely use the Mozilla suite or Firefox. Instead of having to use the mouse, everything can be made through the keyboard. Type the beginning of a text link and the browser will highlight it. Hit Enter and the link will be followed. For broken, unaccessible web sites, a carret can be enabled in order to "click" on any area of a web page.
Mozilla and Firefox also includes plenty of handy keyboard shortcuts and once you're familiar with them, you will never need the mouse any more.
I had a RSI last year, and using keyboard-based navigation really helped.
{{.sig}}
I'm not a doctor, but two things have helped me... 1. Try to have a variety of motion. I think the key part of "repetitive stress injury" that most people overlook is "repetitive". Think about it- human bodies are designed to be in motion as long as you're awake. But evolution has not designed our bodies to make the same, small, twitchy, repetitive motions over and over again for 8, 9, or 10 hours a day. So rather than trying to reduce the amount of motion your body and hands do, switch it up a bit-change chair, armrest, and keyboard positions. 1a. For the reasons listed in #1, I suspect that "hunt and peck" typing might be better than "correct" typing for one's hands and wrists in this regard- I have a greater variety of motion as my hands roam around the keyboard like a piano than a "proper" touch-typist. And, after many years of practice, I can even do it without looking. :P
2. Get an AWESOME wristrest. Seriously. Drop $20 on a niiiiiice thick, gel-filled wrist rest. Also, and this is KEY - get the kind with a nice, soft, shiny, synthetic cloth (neoprene or whatever) surface that is pleasant to slide your wrists across. If it does not have that property, you will not use it properly, because you will then LIFT your wrists off the wristrest while they move around, thusly defeating the purpose of the wristrest. The idea is to have the wristrest constantly supporting as much of the weight of your wrists as possible.
Hope this helps. BTW, I'm 27 and these things have worked for me so far. Around 4 years ago I started to get some pain and tingling; adopting these practices has left me comfortable and symptom-free since then.
OtakuBooty.com: Smart, funny, sexy nerds.
I'm not a doctor, but two things have helped me...
:P
1. Try to have a variety of motion. I think the key part of "repetitive stress injury" that most people overlook is "repetitive". Think about it- human bodies are designed to be in motion as long as you're awake. But evolution has not designed our bodies to make the same, small, twitchy, repetitive motions over and over again for 8, 9, or 10 hours a day. So rather than trying to reduce the amount of motion your body and hands do, switch it up a bit-change chair, armrest, and keyboard positions.
1a. For the reasons listed in #1, I suspect that "hunt and peck" typing might be better than "correct" typing for one's hands and wrists in this regard- I have a greater variety of motion as my hands roam around the keyboard like a piano than a "proper" touch-typist. And, after many years of practice, I can even do it without looking.
2. Get an AWESOME wristrest. Seriously. Drop $20 on a niiiiiice thick, gel-filled wrist rest. Also, and this is KEY - get the kind with a nice, soft, shiny, synthetic cloth (neoprene or whatever) surface that is pleasant to slide your wrists across. If it does not have that property, you will not use it properly, because you will then LIFT your wrists off the wristrest while they move around, thusly defeating the purpose of the wristrest. The idea is to have the wristrest constantly supporting as much of the weight of your wrists as possible.
Hope this helps. BTW, I'm 27 and these things have worked for me so far. Around 4 years ago I started to get some pain and tingling; adopting these practices has left me comfortable and symptom-free since then.
OtakuBooty.com: Smart, funny, sexy nerds.
Ive got shaky hands...Thought it was from computer use...went to neuro said it was a central nervous tremor...Have you been checked for thyroid disease or does it run in your family?
--Gavin Miller (not gonna login at school)
Nice tips on posture, but I don't believe that a good ergonomic setup should include a mouse at all (nor trackballs, or anything else of that nature). Stick to the keyboard only, and make it a good keyboard. None of this flimsly $10 junk. Get one of those old, big, heavy IBM clicky-clicky keyboards or one of the newer ergonomic keyboards like the Kinesis Classic (probably the better option, but more expensive... it's $200 or so). Yeah some people balk at the price, but I use it every day all day long (usually at least 8-12 hours a day) and I got tendonitis 5 years ago, but I've been able to manage it partly thanks to this keyboard.
Also, take breaks. Every 15 min if you have to (get one of those timer programs that forces you to stop typing if you forget). It doesn't have to be a set interval, but you do have to take breaks throughout the day. It's not an option! Also, take lots and lots of micro-breaks. Like when you're writting code or typing a message to someone, take your hands off the keyboard when you're thinking, and either stretch them a bit or let them dangle at your side, or something (I often like to clasp them together on top of my head, which incidentally removes stress from the carpal tunnel). Let them relax!
Learn good typing technique. That's partly posture (like the parent message), and also learning to type with your whole body (don't just move your fingers... let the arms and shoulders do their work too). And whatever you do, don't ever use one of those wrist rests or anything like that. While typing, your hands should hover above the keyboard at a natural angle and never, ever should your wrist ever lay on the table or keyboard. Look at how good (and experienced) pianists play. That's pretty much how you need to handle the keyboard.
When you take breaks, do some stretching. You should once in a while stand up and stretch all the major muscles in the body. Lightly. Overstretching is bad too. It should never be painful. Get a book on the subject if you need to. Taking yoga classes will help too.
If you don't get much excercise, it's a good idea to start. You don't need to become a hardcore fitness buff, but you should at least walk a few miles every couple days, or bike, or swim some laps (I prefer the swimming since it stretches and works the whole body).
Make sure your diet is appropriate and balanced. If you're overweight by a lot, then it's time to go on a diet! Extra body mass has the unfortunate effect of putting more strain on the carpal tunnel (along with quite a few other negative effects).
Make sure you don't stay up all night or too late constantly. Ideally you should be in bed before midnight and up by or before 8am. A regular sleep schedule like this ensures maximum production of the hormones that fix and repair the damage your body has accumulated during the day. Oh yeah, if you sleep during the day instead, your body won't produce nearly as much of that stuff, and you'll find out that not only do you get injured more and it takes longer to recover, but also that you'll age more rapidly! Young programmers like to stay up all night, but it'll catch up in the end if they don't wise up (their chances or getting injured or diseased later in life will increase dramatically).
Last thing, and really the most important of them all, is to avoid stress. Chances of injury rise dramatically when stress enters the picture. If you have to, get another job that has less stress. I'd rather take a lower-paying but less stressful job and still have the ability to use a computer effectively. Money is never as important as good health.
I've had many of the same problems for years. I am a software developer as well as a writer and so the ability to type is rather important for my livlihood. I investigated a number of alternatives (I'd been using the M$ ergo keyboard for a number of years), and finally decided on the Fingerworks Touchstream to solve my problems. It's taken me a while to get used to it and has dropped my overall typing speed. But in general, it has worked quite well as a keyboard/mouse replacement and I highly recommend it. Oh, and I also play starcraft(through transgaming) as well as UT2004/Q3/SOF and other fps' with my touchsteam. My hands are much happier now. Cheers.
Gotta find my destiny, before it gets too late --Ian Curtis
http://www.shadowpublications.com/blog
I've been using computers daily since 1979, and using a standard
keyboard at least eight hours a day since 1983. I have always used
the mouse as little possible. For the past ten years or so I've
used a trackpad for the little mousing I do (mostly the occasional
copy (I paste via keyboard) and the times I have to access a web
site that can only be used with javascript active (and even there
I use the keyboard shortcuts in Mozilla/Firefox as often as not)).
Oh, and it's probably worth noting that I use only the *main* keys
plus the function keys. I use the keys to the right of the enter
key only very occasionally, except for the shift-insert combo.
I have so far (knock on wood) never had more than the occasional
pain in my hands, and those pains I have had have gone away within
a day or two without treatment and probably had nothing to do
with my keyboarding.
I do practice the basic ergonomics (monitor in front so I'm looking
very slightly down, legs at ninety, elbows near ninetly and on
armrests, forearms supported in front of keyboard so wrists are
flat). I've done that since I started keyboarding daily in '83.
So either (a) a lot of RSI suffers don't do basic ergonimics
or (b) I'm lucky or (c) (my favorite theory) the mouse is
what's killing all you RSI sufferers.
For those who are curiuos, I achieve my minimal mouse usage via
the following programs: X windows, ION window manager, vi
editor, w3m-image browser with vi keybindings, snownews RSS
reader with vi keybindings, and pine mail reader (which I wish
had vi keybindings!)
If I had to do graphics work I think I'd get a digitising tablet.
This is /. and the post is asking about wrist problems, and yet I don't see one joke relating to masterbation. This is truly a sad day.
You could soak your hands in warm-to-hot water. Ideally, the water should have a moderate sulpher content. But that doesn't prevent RSI, or answer your question about HCIs.
To build a human-computer interface (HCI) that doesn't pose a risk of RSI is a challange. A lightpen-driven GUI would probably help.
It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
Its quite expensive, but I believe the best keyboard available at the moment. And has an integrated mouse. Search for datahand.
1. Software
2. Mouse use
3. RSI alleviating device
4. Anything else
1. Software:
Various man machine interfaces are helpful for handicapped people. I'm not sure that these devices are the best approach for the rest of us. The way we interact with our computer is possibly most often due to the software design. Graphical systems definitely have their place, though they often place a disproportionate bias towards the use of a mouse, trackball, etc., where a simple key based interface might be both more appropriate and more efficient. It may be worthwhile noting what software you use and rate how your symptoms vary from package to package.
2. Mouse use:
I alternate between mousing with my left hand and my right hand. This does help. Note how your fingers tend to be tense when browsing. If possible, try to let your fingers lie naturally over the mouse and operate the mouse buttons with the back of your fingers rather than your finger tips. Whenever you have your hand on the mouse, mouse point, etc, ask yourself if it's really essential at that moment in time. Most of the time spent on the mouse, poised to point and click, is putting your wrist in tension. Thats a long time and a lot of pain for the sake of brief momentary actions.
3. RSI alleviating device:
I use a MouseBean attached to my mouse. This affords relief by supporting the wrist without applying pressure on the artery in the carpal tunnel area. http://www.mousebean.com
This works for me - you may prefer silicon wrist pads - I've tried them and they made me angry with discomfort.
4. Anything else:
I first developed problems working at a bench in an awkward space because my boss was hogging two desks, one of which would have helped me a lot. I should have raised hell about it at the time.
I've been guitly of holding the mouse in expectation of using it and hence placing my wrist under tension for a disproportionate amount of time compared to the actions of pointing and clicking.
At home I put the mouse on my knee because its in a position my arm naturally falls to. Looks odd, can be a nuisance when mouse falls on the ground but it doesn't hurt.
Although I'm still far from applying best practice, the discomfort I sometimes get is nothing like as bad as it was. I used to curse screwdrivers and round handles, (still do sometimes). Power drivers and proper grippy handles make life a lot easier and less frustrating.
Best wishes to all those looking for a remedy.
(I realise some wit may find ways of modifying this post for amusement - I welcome it).
My hyperlinks aren't worth the paper they're printed on.
I'm still pain-free after 10 years. For me, variety in my movements was the key. YMMV.
I am the very model of a modern major general!
and get a proper diagnosis first.
Just because you have wrist pain and numbness does NOT mean you have carpal tunnel syndrome. I have had similar symptoms to what you state but not due to carpal tunnel problems. Heck, excessive bending of the wrists while typing for extended periods can bring on pain and numbness. From what I have read, carpal tunnel syndrome really sucks. And what is required to treat it (often surgery) is not required to treat run of the mill really painful wrist pain.
For a start, one of the other posts had a number of good points about proper computer posture. Keep your upper legs and forearms parallel to the floor. Feet on the floor. Bend your wrists as little as possible. Support your arms at/near the elbows (adjustable arms exist on good chairs for a reason). Let your fingers do the work of typing. Take breaks. Sit up straight.
Most of my problems went away after I improved my workspace. Most workspaces I have seen (or have worked at) are awful.
The underside of my ergonomic Logitech keyboard (which makes it very annoying to copy!) suggests the following:
- Take frequent short breaks. Get up and walk around at least a couple of times every hour.
- Vary your tasks throughout the day.
- Keep your shoulders relaxed with your elbows at your sides. Position your keyboard and mouse so you don't have to reach.
- Adjust your chair and keyboard so your wrists are straight.
- Avoid resting your wrists on sharp edges. If you use a wrist or palm rest don't use it while typing.
They also point you to www.logitech.com/comfort. Check it out.
The split keyboard design is very nice after an initial adjustment period. I can type forever on this keyboard, but for less than 5 minutes on a normal one before I start to feel searing pain up my entire forearm. HTH.
Incidentaly I noticed that of all the coders I've ever worked with, smokers have never complained of any aches and pains related to coding all night. I think that the activity of going outside for a short smoke break/walk/chat actually helped.
If lung cancer ain't your thing, going for a short walk is great too. I like to step outside and make any necessary personal phone calls.
Postition of chair, keyboard and monitor is very important. By simply rasing my monitor by 6 inches greatly reduced my RSI. With a low monitor you tend to hunch down creating bad posture a high monitor means that your head is level and instantly produces a better posture.
There are four sorts of people in the world: fools, lunatics, idiots and morons. - Umberto Eco, Foucaut's pendulum.
>I do believe that emacs does have a web browser mode.
Too bad it doesn't have a good text editor.
The Touchstream Keyboard use finger muscles less and in a different way from a normal keyboard. Add the fact that it does mouse as well. It does take a bit of learning, but is otherwise pretty cool.
I agree with other people that changing imput devices - mice, keyboards - would be a good idea. I run the touchstream and a conventional Qwerty in parallel. When running apps which use a lot of F keys or the numpad (which my favourite editor prefers), I need a conventional keyboard. Wne word-processing, I switch to the Touchstream. Web surfing probably better in the Touchstream because of gestures.
Consciousness is an illusion caused by an excess of self consciousness.
...everything that I read off a mouse's bottom.
Oh, it was a keyboard? Nevermind.
Read this document to learn what "RSI" is really caused by:
http://www.rsi.deas.harvard.edu/handout.doc
For more info, Google for: sarno tms
Personally, I find that when I was changing my input devices or setup in some way, it'd only help in the short term. Yes, the wrist rest helps, but then it's just a different repetative motion that I'm making.
I've found that switching to a laptop at home (which I actually use from my lap, not a desk), and a desktop at work has helped significantly.
This way, I'm getting my hand/wrists making two different sets of slightly different repetitive motions, rather than the same thing every time I'm in front of a computer.
I also find that large amounts of caffeine helps -- just because it forces you to take more frequent bathroom breaks, so I'm not sitting there typing for 4-6hrs at a time.
And when I used to game quite a bit, I'd use a completely different hand position for gaming than for doing work (number pad and mouse, as opposed to hands near the home row)
[yes, it's a reason for you to bug your employer for more computers on your desk -- I suggest getting enough systems to build your own tanning booth from the amount of EMF radiation -- my best so far was 2x21", 2x17", 1x15" (all CRT... which isn't that impressive, unless you consider it was in 1996, and one of those machines was just to play quake...I mean...perform network testing)]
Build it, and they will come^Hplain.
I don't pretend to know much about anything, but I've been addicted to computers since I was about nine. Being 19 now, and still just as much addicted as the first day I logged onto IRC, I have no problems at all. I don't use the homerow when I type. I can type long reports at an average of ~100wpm, my fastest was 132wpm. Those speeds are a few years old. Maybe not using the homerow will give me an advantage, since my fingers aren't in the same place the majority of the day, or curved around when I type. They usually stay extended outward until i go to press the key.
Why not try a Gyromouse? It would seem to me that this is a very low impact design since you aren't stuck in any particular position.
I use:
1. kmousetool to click the mouse for me. Takes some getting used to but I can't live without it now.
2. Xwrits to force me to take 5 minute breaks every half hour. Use the breaks to get up and stretch.
3. A good massage therapist.
I figure if you can get performance parts for your rice burner, you can get a serious carpal tunnel setup... Anyway. I type/mouse for about 8 hours a day, sometimes more; I also used to work for Starbucks. Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, coffee making is one of the most hazardous things you can do to your wrists(sometimes it feels like nails are going through my wrists). So besides making you sign an agreement that says you won't sue when you're old and crippled, Starbucks offers this advice: Excersize your wrists by holding your hand down flat on the table, stretch your muscles in hand and arm. It seems to help, also just practice good computing, and buy wrist rests(say it 5 times fast).
I've been computing since the early 80's (an Apple ][+) and mousing since 1986 (an Atari 1040ST). Somewhere around the early 90's I started having pains in my right wrist. I tried a wrist brace and supportive pads for my keyboard and mouse usage and they reduced the discomfort, but didn't eliminate it. What finally worked (and still works) for me is some wrist stretching exercises I learned for Aikido. There are some fairly clear descriptions here. The most effective (for me at least) is the kotegaishi, with nikkyo a close second.
"I'm a scientist! I don't think, I observe!" - Dr. Clayton Forrester
I've had a lot of trouble with RSI through the years, sometimes to the point I couldn't button a shirt. Here are some tips--
First, though, see a doctor! If you ignore it, you risk making symptoms permanent. Treatment will speed recovery time. Keep an open mind, too-- naturopathy and massage therapy have helped me more for this than the standard HMO treatment.
As for input devices, I've had a lot of luck with the Datahand Keyboard. It's a lot of money up front, and it has a very steep learning curve, but it's absoultely amazing. Their website is http://www.datahand.com and I have only good things to say about them.
I've played with various voice recognition, including Dragon NatSpeak for Windows and iListen for Mac. They're only useful for standard conversational writing. iListen's correction utility is very dependent on mousing, too, so it may cause more trouble than it's worth.
Someone above mentioned guitar-- I play guitar quite a bit, and it actually helps my hands quite a bit because it's a much lower level of repetition, uses different motions, and larger muscle groups. (On the other hand, piano-playing makes things worse for me.) Consider some sort of hobby, but keep a close eye on how it makes you feel.
Finally, re-consider your computer use. I'm quitting my job and going back to school. Plain & simple, humans aren't designed for this. And with tech jobs going offshore, you'll have a jump start on other ex-techies.
As you can tell from the time I usually stay up all night. An easy way to fix the problems you mention is to have plenty of bright lighting including some ultraviolet (but avoid glare on your monitor) so that your body thinks it's daytime. This means you will get normal vitamin D and meletonin. And make sure to shut the curtains when you sleep so that your body thinks its nighttime then. Even with your eyes closed it can tell.
If you have a particularly bad day don't be afaid to take an asprin. In addition to reducing the pain it will acutally help prevent damage from swelling and inflamation. (So actually take asprin not some other pain killer.) It can even help avoid auto-immune reactions to damaged tissues which could lead to arthritis.
You could always get a life and leave the keyboard once in a while.
Seriously, as someone who also has carpal tunnel... rearrange your life a bit. Different keyboard, mouse, chair height. See your doctor or hook up with someone else who has CTS/RSI and get some advice. Then there are exercies etc. Advil and cold compresses work best for me.
But nothing beats getting away from the keyboard for periodic rest periods. Just don't do equally strenuous activities on your away periods.
Don't use the setup I'm currently using. My computer chair is a metal folding chair (plain jane chair like what you might see at an old school). Without any chair arms I have to prop my arms up with my elbows and knees. This means I have to lean forward to type. My keyboard i sitting on top of one of my servers (the taller of the 2 servers) at an angle. The other server is sitting about 2 inches away parallel to the first server. The mouse sits between the top front edge of that case and the angled keyboard sitting on the other case. With me sitting directly in front of my keyboard which sits at 45 to my server cases) my monitor (nice big Mitsubishi 2070SB-BK) is at my 3 o'clock position. This setup is a royal PITA and back. Since my arms are above me keyboard and mouse my wrists are at an unusal angle. This makes my hands ache. This setup sucks. Thank god I'm moving soon and can buy a new computer desk. Woohooo
I know this reply is a little late, but I'm a musician and spend lots of time on computers (8 hours a day or more.) I developed symptoms like this at a fairly early age. What causes carpel tunnel is a fluid buildup that puts pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. When you start getting periodic numbness and tingling sensations in your hand/fingertips you're in trouble, and either need to seriously lay off or start some sort of treatment. If untreated it can develope to be pretty debilitating making your hand(s) virtually useless. Susceptibility to carpel tunnnel is usually genetic too, so if you're parents had it you have a better chance of getting it. Mine got pretty bad to the point that I couldn't play music or even type. I looked into surgery, but the recovery time of one year wasn't very appealig so I explored other options. One thing that kept comming up was B6. One of the things vitamin B6 supposedly does is help the body with fluid distribution so in theory in the right dose it should eliminate the fluid buildup causing your carpel tunnel symptoms. I started taking it and my symptoms fully receded. You might want to check it out.
The pain and numbness in your hand are definitely symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive stress injury. I'm 20 and I suffer the same thing.
Fortunately, there are solutions to relieve the symptoms.
First, I use a wrist brace/splint from Futuro. You can buy one from drugstore.com, though I got mine from the pharmacy or health/wellness department of Zellers. They range in price from $16 to $25, depending on where you buy it from and what country you live in. Definitely well worth it, though.
As well, try and get outside more. I admit I'm not the best at this, but I do take the dog for regular walks every day and try and do other outdoor chores.
You could also try lifting some five pound dumb bells and doing regular exercises for your wrists that way.
Hope this helps,
Doug
Doug Mehus http://doug.mehus.info/
What I'm going to suggest sounds so simple that most people have trouble believing me. My doctor gave me this advice 5 years ago, if you follow what I suggest ALL THE TIME your carpel tunnel will stop getting worse and in most cases your symptoms will go away.
Here's what my doctor suggested:
Stop playing fast paced computer games with your mouse; this will screw up your wrist more then anything else.
Write in big letters on your monitor (just above the screen)
"Monday morning: move keyboard, mouse and chair"
Monday mornings before you do anything else do exactly what the note says. Every week I angle my keyboard to the left or right slightly, move my chair up or down a few inches, and move my mouse to a new location, etc. The only problem is that you have to stick with it, even when your wrists don't hurt.
When punk rock is outlawed, only outlaws will have punk rock.
An elbow rest helps heaps for your mouse hand. Keep it at the same level as your wrist so that your forearm is parallel to the ground. Takes most of the pressure off your wrist. Provided instant relief for me.
I've found that the "reaching for the mouse" pains were reduced drastically after I developed a capacity for doing most stuff with the command line and vi. Don't need a comfy chair. I slouch in the chair all I want and don't give a rat's arse whether I walk around with a stoop. Life is good.
The chief controllable factor causing carpal tunnel syndrome is an imbalance in the strength of the forearms. The back/upper side of the forearms is much stronger than the front/lower side of the forearms. This put the nerves and tendons in the wrist under tension. To solve - exercise. I do Yoga. Also watch how you type. Try to avoid pulling your fingers back up. Instead keep your wrists flat. See a good physical therapist.
It also depends on the amount of natural lubrication in the carpal tunnel, which is dependant on the individual
Try BreakReminder by cheqsoft which is free or the more feauture filled Workpace or RSI Guard. I remember doing a Google search and there was heaps of returns. Try download.com too Here's how it works, firstly you have micropauses every say 4 minutes where your forced to rest for 20 seconds. Then say every hour you have a rest break that is good at 10 minutes. You can configure it easily to increase the number of micropauses, rest breaks and the length of them which is useful if you really need to use the computer and have RSI. The better ones also have animation where you follow the graphics for excersises. I got it playin 8 hours CS for a month. :/ With break software I don't get it that much anymore although I did have a long break away from a computer so that's recommended
This software is ESSENTIAL in my opinion.
It rests your
EYES - many peeps have eye problems with staying so close to a monitor
MIND - it's good to reset your mind. helps recover your thoughts and keep the stress away which helps in keeping disease away like cancer
HANDS - usefuly for you and for CS playas who use their hand instead of arm to navigate
Other - Blood circulation, relaxes other muscles too.
For me it's my right shoulder blade protruding on my muscles. So I simply use the left hand to navigate now unless I'm playing games. Try that :) Also you should definitely try moving your whole arm when moving the mouse instead of just your hand
I'm a software engineer and I spend many hours riding a keyboard and mouse.
6 6,00.asp]), but I can't see myself laying out the cash.
I use an MS Natural Elite keyboard and the cheapest Logitech trackball.
The trackball I use is ambidexterous (may be used with the right and left hand) and only costs $20. It's NOT the trackball mouse that requires right hand usage and thumb movement of the ball.
When I'm at work, I use my right hand. I switch for my work at home to my left. This way, both hands are equally utilized and the strain is distributed as well. Also, the trackball uses the thumb and ring/pinkie fingers which eliminates the pain I used to get from clicking with my index finger all of the time.
The keyboard is an older MS Natural Elite (without the new fangled media control buttons).
ALL of my computers are interfaced with this keyboard and mouse combination. When I'm travelling, I still take my trackball but I use the notebook keyboard since it's a hassle bringing a keyboard and it's not for an extended period of time.
I'd like to check out some of the more specialized keyboards (like the DataHand [http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,10387
For under $60 you can have a similiar, less strained keyboard/mouse combo.
Anyway, that's how I deal with the stress of piloting a computer (programming and otherwise) for up to 16 hrs. / day.