Is there a secret to managing typing aches?

[OddLove]

I been dealing with hand aching, specifically around the left side of my right hand because I use that pinky to smash the shift and enter key so much when I'm writing.

I just felt it there when I double tapped the enter key. So frustrating...

Anyone have any tips or advice of preventing or recovering from those kinds of aches? I know resting is probably the most reliable way. But it'd be nice to have some other ways to either power through or speed up recover time.

 

[NuclearFairy]

I walk over to my SO, hold my hands out, and plead, "Fix it?" Then he shifts the bones back into proper alignment and I do rolling thumb massages on my arm meats.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome or wrist tendonitis. Extra-strength Tylenol or ibuprofen would help.

 

[NuclearFairy]

For you though, first you gotta touch the ouch part and see if it is warmer to the touch than it should be. If so you're gonna want to ice and compress for a few days before trying to massage the arm meats.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Get a keyboard rest thingie, maybe try changing the angle of the keyboard a little, make sure you're sitting straight at the desk. Even a slight change in posture can do wonders.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I had CTS some years ago. The right keyboard can really help, if that is indeed your issue. Mine has the keys, um, splayed outwards? I looks weird, but really helped. CTS is often waved off as trivial, but can be a serious problem if ignored. If your discomfort continues, I would suggest you check with your doctor. Good luck.

https://www.guidingtech.com/wp-content/uploads//Perixx-Periboard-612B.png

 

[pink_silk_glove]

Not sure exactly what your injury is so can't say for certain.

The advice that I can offer is to place your hands comfortably. I used to get achy wrists because I would rest the heels of my palms on the desk and bend my wrists back for my fingers to type the keys. Didn't hurt at all at first so didn't think anything of it. Then after a while the wrist pain got fairly bad. I got one of those long skinny pads to lay down in front of the keyboard. Not only was it nice and comfy for the heels of my palms, it raised my wrists so that they didn't have to bend back for my fingers to hit the keys.

I don;t use it anymore because now I use a recliner for my back and I just keep the keyboard in my lap. Now all that I need are an IV and a catheter and I can sit here and type all day (yay!).

 

[Nynah]

I had CTS some years ago. The right keyboard can really help, if that is indeed your issue. Mine has the keys, um, splayed outwards? I looks weird, but really helped. CTS is often waved off as trivial, but can be a serious problem if ignored. If your discomfort continues, I would suggest you check with your doctor. Good luck.

https://www.guidingtech.com/wp-content/uploads//Perixx-Periboard-612B.png

The layout that's "splayed out" is called the ALICE or the ergonomic keyboard and it's designed to lessen stress on wrists and fingers by having your hands sit at more "natural" positions, so this maybe something that could help the OP. Microsoft used to make an affordable ergonomic keyboard but they've since discontinued it, sadly. Logitech has some options now but they are fairly pricy. I've never used Perixx ones but that's the brand TarnishedPenny linked and it seems they're currently having a sale and some of them look quite affordable.

Ulnar wrist pain is definitely a thing and most treatment recommendations are obviously rest, icing and immobilization but hopefully changing up your keyboard setup (lowering the profile, making sure your wrists are supported, trying the ergonomic layout, etc.) can also help in the long run. Good luck!

 

[jsmiam]

Also, don’t be embarrassed to improvise.

Roll up an old t-shirt, hand towel, tightly-whitey, into roughly the shape and size of an arm wrest for the front of your keyboard. Mouse too. I’m not saying permanently necessarily, but you’ll know pretty quickly if it helps. Then go buy the fancy one from the store. (Or not!). Keyboard tray? Better. But sitting on cushions for a while to see if being higher relative to the keyboard position can tell you if it will help too.

And don’t overlook that it could be your mousing. My wrist pain isn’t too severe thankfully, but it’s definitely from the mouse, not my typing.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Often raising your chair (adding a footrest if necessary) can help, as your hands fall downwards in a position that doesn't strain your wrists.

But it's really not something to mess with. Take frequent breaks, and consider physio or osteopathy if it seems to be an impinged nerve - it could be a shoulder issue. Try a break and tapping on a phone for a bit of variety, or holding a pen and using that to tap your keyboard. Or just practice using the left shift key for variety.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Also, don’t be embarrassed to improvise.

Roll up an old t-shirt, hand towel, tightly-whitey, into roughly the shape and size of an arm wrest for the front of your keyboard. Mouse too. I’m not saying permanently necessarily, but you’ll know pretty quickly if it helps. Then go buy the fancy one from the store. (Or not!). Keyboard tray? Better. But sitting on cushions for a while to see if being higher relative to the keyboard position can tell you if it will help too.

And don’t overlook that it could be your mousing. My wrist pain isn’t too severe thankfully, but it’s definitely from the mouse, not my typing.

Was just going to add that.

I use a trackball which eliminates sliding a mouse all over the place. Ball and buttons do all the work, but since it stays in one place, it's easy to add a rolled up rag to act as a rest.

I don't have the problem with the KB since I never really could 'type'. Hunt and Peck is as close as I get, so my wrists aren't in one place for long.

I have more of an eye/finger coordination issue and sometimes have trouble finding keys. It's far more than just not typing properly, it's a cognitive thing of sorts. I can be looking at the 'T' key and not see it for example.