Do you get RSI using your PC?

[Tim Allen]

Like many people I use a PC both at home and at work, and find more and more that overuse of a keyboard and mouse gives me repetitive strain-type pain in my fingers. It seems to be mostly due to using a mouse, and specifically clicking the buttons.

Now it's no bad thing to have a natural limit imposed on computer use - after all there are other things to life - but I'd rather not be forced to stop when I don't want to. Obvously using a Pocket PC for as many things as possible reduces the need to use a desktop PC, but there are loads of tasks for which you just need a PC.

I've trained myself to use the mouse with both hands, so I can alternate, but now I just get pains in both hands. I recently bought a trackball so I could click buttons with my thumb, and this helps a bit.

Anyone else have similar problems? Any suggestions?

[Janak Parekh]

I used to use mediocre keyboards and would feel a slight tingling in my wrists. I switched to a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, and the sensation went completely away. The Natural Keyboards have been a great choice for me, and I wouldn't ever go back. (This is one of the problems for me with using a laptop as a desktop replacement...)

As for fingers, I really haven't had that, but I've been typing (and played piano) since I was a little kid, so maybe my fingers are now just immune. :) Have you tried, though, switching keyboards and such?

I am also unusual in that I take frequent breaks. It's unusual for me to be typing or mousing more than a few minutes at any time -- at the minimum, I frequently take my hands off the keyboard and do things with them. I also get up and move around pretty often.

--janak

[Jason Dunn]

I have some very strong feelings and a lot of personal experience with this topic, so my very long response has turned into a column that will be published on Monday. :D

[Rirath]

I'm convinced I'm completely immune. I've used computers 24x7 for years and years on end without wrist problems, neck problems, back problems, or even eye problems. :P

[Janak Parekh]

I'm convinced I'm completely immune. I've used computers 24x7 for years and years on end without wrist problems, neck problems, back problems, or even eye problems. :P
Give it another 5-15 years. Things in one's body start breaking down. :cry:

--janak

[hollis_f]

Yup. I've tried dozens of different meeces, wrist rests, keyboards, etc. The one thing that really made a big difference was getting a good chair. It did cost me £300 (plus another £300 my employers had to shell out to get a duplicate) but it's been worth every penny.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Yup. I've tried dozens of different meeces, wrist rests, keyboards, etc. The one thing that really made a big difference was getting a good chair. It did cost me £300 (plus another £300 my employers had to shell out to get a duplicate) but it's been worth every penny.
I've heard on more than a few occasions that a good office chair is vastly underrated!!

We probably spend the majority of our lives in an office chair (sad thought :cry:!) and such a small percentage of time in a car, yet people plunk down the cash for leather seats and then try to penny-pinch on office chairs.

[orangehat]

none of us are immune. some are just luckier than others. I've been doing computers for almost 30 years with no problems but I've always tried to have a good chair and good posture and yea, i'm probably lucky too. Heck, back when I took typing in High School it was 'typing', not 'keyboarding'.

[ux4484]

I'm convinced I'm completely immune. I've used computers 24x7 for years and years on end without wrist problems, neck problems, back problems, or even eye problems. :P

O.K. Mr Kent.....

*jinx*

just when you say something like that, is when it'll happen :wink: :P


but seriously,

I'm with Janak, I take frequent breaks and move my hands around. Been using a wrist rest for years. Of course, most anyone who plays Piano knows what proper typing posture is. Many of the RSI/CT sufferers I know have VERY un-ergonomic typing and mouse positions (many folks who hunt and peck quickly often end up with RSI/CT). Then, once you have it, any attempt to correct your positioning is too late.

[Jason Dunn]

I'm convinced I'm completely immune. I've used computers 24x7 for years and years on end without wrist problems, neck problems, back problems, or even eye problems. :P

Dude, you're 19. It will happen, believe me.

[Brad Adrian]

Give it another 5-15 years. Things in one's body start breaking down. :cry:
Is that comment directed toward ME? :)

[Janak Parekh]

Is that comment directed toward ME? :)
No, of course not. Your eVest has been specially modified to give you a suit of armor which reverses the aging process. 8)

--janak

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I'm convinced I'm completely immune. I've used computers 24x7 for years and years on end without wrist problems, neck problems, back problems, or even eye problems. :P

Dude, you're 19. It will happen, believe me.
Yeah... I don't know many folks at 19 who get RSI!!

[Tim Allen]

Too right, I'm speaking from the perspective of a 37 year-old who only started using a computer when he was about 15 - because that's kind of when they became generally available.

If you're 19 now you probably moved your first mouse when you were about 5, so yes you've had a lot of years of computer use, but all when you're young. It ain't all so easy when you get past 30, and in any case just consider what problems you may be storing up for the future.

[Jason Dunn]

Ok, the article is posted:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,9806