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!