Hi all,
I have suffered wrist pain from working on a computer on and off over the past years. Recently, I discovered the accessibility option Sticky Keys which essentially turns modifiers into toggles. This alleviated a lot of my pain.
My job as a software developer requires me to press a lot of awkward combinations of keys and this makes it much easier.
Just though I leave this here in case it helps anyone. I also added an introductory link below.
Not really related to what you said, but on one of the last Grey and Myke Cortex episodes, in response to a listener question they both expressed that despite each of them having had long standing RSI problems, since they started doing weights as fitness sessions, their RSI issues have been greatly diminished.
Might be worth some research.
When work sent me to the physio for RSI complaints, he recommended upper body stretches and strength work for the shoulders, arms, and upper back. I did a lot of weight bands resistance training, and some push-ups/pull ups (and I have since fallen off the wagon – note to self!). I also swapped to an ‘alice layout’ keyboard which has helped. This hasn’t cured my RSI and I doubt that anyting will bar stopping to type full stop, but my complaints have reduced. So anecdotally, I think that strength work does have a role to play.
All good suggestions - it’s too drastic to really be a recommended solution, but switching to Dvorak cured me of this and I’m at my old typing speed (and still know qwerty.)
Thanks for the replies. Actually, I also started some more strength exercises as well as cardio. That probably helped as well when I think about it. Sticky Keys is by no means a panacea for computing ailments. But it can help I think. There are also things like home row modifiers.
I also read about an „eMacs pinky“ recently and how many famous developers had RSI. So I thought I leave the hint to Sticky Keys here in case somebody finds it helpful.
If you’re really willing to get into a rabbit hole, consider learning about Callum Oaklley’s one shot home row mods. That’s that I use and really love it!.
I think I am good for now and try to stick to moderate customisation of my Mac. Also no Dvorak layout for now. But thanks for linking it here. Saw that article a few days ago as well.