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- Hacker News
- Biggest thing that helped with mine was moving to a more ergonomic keyboard. Usually split between using my datahand and my planck. Honestly even just switching to a 40% ortholinear was a huge change, it eliminated way too many awkward movements.
- I solved (managed) my computer-use-related RSI. Here’s how:
1. Multiple mouse input methods: I switch between a vertical mouse and a Wacom tablet throughout the day.
2. Good armrests: I have an ergo chair with some of the most adjustable armrests you can get. Armrest position is a big factor. You want your arms close to in plane with the desk.
3. Mouse and keyboard wrist rests.
4. Stretching: I do forearm stretches every hour or so.
5. Grip trainers: just like it’s not good for your eyes to only look at a screen inches away continuously, it’s not good for your muscles to only do fine, precision work for hours. Break it up with some strength training. I’m fond of the gyroball style or the basic spring tension trainers.
by cainxinth - LLMs have not changed how much I type and mouse, I think.
I second the "change input devices up once in a while" suggestion. And I would say that Apple Trackpads and Keyboards are the ones that work best for me most of the time. Especially the Trackpads work incredibly well because with the sensitivity turned way up, I have to barely move my hand and use almost no force when using a cursor and clicking. I can also vary how I hold/rotate my wrist and compensate by adjusting my input finger(s) and/or changing which finger I use. With the keyboard, it's mostly about having very short travel and actuation force as well as a little bit of dampening. I do have a collection of ergo and mechanical keyboards, mice and trackballs but especially when I feel pain, I always go back to the Magic Trackpad and Keyboard. Wrist rests are a no-no and trying to keep your wrists floating is good.
- What helped my RSI was learning a new computer layout (dvorak in my case). It went away and has stayed gone for 25-ish years. Keeping bikeyboardal between qwerty and dvorak probably helps.by godshatter
- For folks experiencing RSI, I recommend Talon voice and Cursorless extension. I experienced thumb pain that I kind of ignored for a while - look into prehab exercises before it becomes a concern since any aggravating motion could make it worse quickly.
I haven't read it yet but folks might benefit from this recent book, Body Electric: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being.
- What helped my RSI:
- Using mouse less
- Ergonomic keyboard
- Learning to type better (I still suck, but speed is fast enough, and I don't get a soar neck or fingers from my previous glance at KB then back to monitor and smash keys)
- Positioning top of monitor to eye level
- Gradually transitioning from programming through rapid trial and error, to building and exploring logical models of programs in my head, then type out some code that usually works.
All my experiments and usage of AI if anything lead to more typing rather than less.
- I thought I would share. I don't see this discussed much and thought it was interesting (it's my own post) when doing some introspection today. Is it from moving up in my career and I just type a little less? Has the movement from typing in a code editor all day to writing more prose helped? It's hard to say for sure, but a fun observation. :) I am curious if anyone else has experienced the same.by vaughands
- I have managed RSI for decades, so consider this anecdotal of course.
The one thing that has always given me relief: changing my keyboard every 6 months or so.
For this reason I have a stack of different keyboards and whenever I start to feel the tugging pain gnawing in my hands muscles and tendons, I switch out the ol’ keyboard and get back to work.
Within a day, relief.
Seriously, it’s that simple. Just don’t get fixated on a single keyboard and you’ll be fine. Get yourself a small collection, swap them around.
by MomsAVoxell