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Have you got any suggestions for coping with RSI? I'm having significant issues.

by _acnx 4y ago

mokanfar 4y ago
Devote a 4 digit budget for a new workspace that relieves RSI causing movements.
- jen729w 4y ago
  You don't need to spend that much. I mean, go for it, it sounds fun, but just getting a desk the right height (i.e. probably lower than it is now) and a stable chair solved mine. See sibling comment here. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34852007 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34852007
chaorace 4y ago
It's all about hardware. I've addressed it quite well with a three-pronged approach: 1. Motorized standing desk - typing from varying postures keeps strain spread out 2. Kensington trackball mouse - less hand sweeping / temptation to drags wrist on table 3. Ortholinear "Planck" keyboard - modifier keys accessible via thumb and programmable layers more generally can completely eliminate painful hand poses and keep fingers on the home-row
- ajolly 4y ago
  Change is good. I find using a variety of mice helps. Rollermouse, trackpads, rockmouse, carpal tunnel mouse(quadraclicks), mousetrapper. For the dragging wrist problem, I really like the reloot or other similar gliding palm rests. I find upgrading them with ceramic lights makes a big difference.
- smcleod 4y ago
  Personally I find the Kensington trackball mouse made my carpel tunnel a LOT worse, they're not for everyone.
  - ryukafalz 4y ago
    With my particular RSI I also can't use a standard trackball, but I swear by my thumb trackballs. (But every body is different, every injury is different, etc.)
Scaevolus 4y ago
Have you tried a book on the mind body connection of pain? It helps some people with RSI: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Back-Pain-Mind-Body-Connection-dp-153871261X/dp/153871261X https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Back-Pain-Mind-Body-Connectio...
- nier 4y ago
  That’s also how I got rid of my RSI. Once I ended that one bad relationship in my life, my mind stopped messing up the most used part of my body to send me signals that I’m actually chewing on life’s gristle. My wrists have been pain free for 15 years. Without surgery. Without therapy. Without a change in work hours.
replwoacause 4y ago
The Kinesis Advantage 2 keyboard fixed mine. I also use a Logitech trackball instead of a mouse.
phillco 4y ago
If you're programming, definitely check out Cursorless: https://www.cursorless.org/ https://www.cursorless.org/. Talon itself provides noise and speech recognition, and provides the framework that allows you to build automations with any program; Cursorless really helps make programming by voice feel comparable to typing. For me, it's a combination of introducing alternate input methods (largely voice, but noises are also very additive -- they very well for fast/discreet actions, whereas voice is higher bandwidth but lower latency), as well as building higher-level and better integrations with applications. But I still have always to go personally. I've been meaning to write up a blog post with everything that I've learned, but you know how it is :)
- jv22222 4y ago
  +1 on that blog post!
- phillco 4y ago
  Edit: I meant to say that voice is higher bandwidth _and_ higher latency, not lower.
wahnfrieden 4y ago
Split vertical keyboards with very very light switches. I use Sofle Choc and have the sides at shoulders width apart I recommend breaks and rest over strengthening exercises when dealing with hand pain. Learn preventative measures

Have you got any suggestions for coping with RSI? I'm having significant issues.

by _acnx 4y ago

Have you got any suggestions for coping with RSI? I'm having significant issues.

mokanfar 4y ago

Devote a 4 digit budget for a new workspace that relieves RSI causing movements.

jen729w 4y ago
You don't need to spend that much. I mean, go for it, it sounds fun, but just getting a desk the right height (i.e. probably lower than it is now) and a stable chair solved mine. See sibling comment here. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34852007 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34852007

chaorace 4y ago

It's all about hardware. I've addressed it quite well with a three-pronged approach: 1. Motorized standing desk - typing from varying postures keeps strain spread out 2. Kensington trackball mouse - less hand sweeping / temptation to drags wrist on table 3. Ortholinear "Planck" keyboard - modifier keys accessible via thumb and programmable layers more generally can completely eliminate painful hand poses and keep fingers on the home-row

ajolly 4y ago
Change is good. I find using a variety of mice helps. Rollermouse, trackpads, rockmouse, carpal tunnel mouse(quadraclicks), mousetrapper. For the dragging wrist problem, I really like the reloot or other similar gliding palm rests. I find upgrading them with ceramic lights makes a big difference.
smcleod 4y ago
Personally I find the Kensington trackball mouse made my carpel tunnel a LOT worse, they're not for everyone.
- ryukafalz 4y ago
  With my particular RSI I also can't use a standard trackball, but I swear by my thumb trackballs. (But every body is different, every injury is different, etc.)

Scaevolus 4y ago

Have you tried a book on the mind body connection of pain? It helps some people with RSI: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Back-Pain-Mind-Body-Connection-dp-153871261X/dp/153871261X https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Back-Pain-Mind-Body-Connectio...

nier 4y ago
That’s also how I got rid of my RSI. Once I ended that one bad relationship in my life, my mind stopped messing up the most used part of my body to send me signals that I’m actually chewing on life’s gristle. My wrists have been pain free for 15 years. Without surgery. Without therapy. Without a change in work hours.

replwoacause 4y ago

The Kinesis Advantage 2 keyboard fixed mine. I also use a Logitech trackball instead of a mouse.

phillco 4y ago

If you're programming, definitely check out Cursorless: https://www.cursorless.org/ https://www.cursorless.org/. Talon itself provides noise and speech recognition, and provides the framework that allows you to build automations with any program; Cursorless really helps make programming by voice feel comparable to typing. For me, it's a combination of introducing alternate input methods (largely voice, but noises are also very additive -- they very well for fast/discreet actions, whereas voice is higher bandwidth but lower latency), as well as building higher-level and better integrations with applications. But I still have always to go personally. I've been meaning to write up a blog post with everything that I've learned, but you know how it is :)

jv22222 4y ago
+1 on that blog post!
phillco 4y ago
Edit: I meant to say that voice is higher bandwidth _and_ higher latency, not lower.

wahnfrieden 4y ago

Split vertical keyboards with very very light switches. I use Sofle Choc and have the sides at shoulders width apart I recommend breaks and rest over strengthening exercises when dealing with hand pain. Learn preventative measures