Personally never used one of those things, what I suggest is ur hands should be able to comfortably rest on ur desk, ie u can put the entire weight of ur arm there so it's relaxed and then u type. Another thing is that if u have stronger wrists, u're less likely to get it. Personally I shotput hehe, so perhaps some exercise can help too.
i use one for my keyboard and mouse, and i think i would go nuts without it. I mean i spend A LOT of time at the computer, and I would definitely have carpel tunnel w/out it by now, definietely! it adds comfort, and you'll notice less lower back pain n stuff when using... i dunno, by it, if u don't like its not like you've wasted anything more than $10
<b>people are only idiots when they don't realize - when they do it just gets funnier, like a dog chasing its own tail, or like george bush's public address(es)</b>
fair enough, but don't tell me you're the type to sit in front of the computer with mini-weghts in one hand doin exercise, hehhahaha, what is it, 3lbs per finger or somethin? dude, nonetheless, how many hours a day do you spend in front of the comp? and do you have any wrist pads? i mean, i literally spend a minimum of 5 hours a day, but usually more like 9-10 hours a day, in front of the comp and w/out my silicone (play with it, its fun!) wrist pads I'd be bitching more than anything - I dunno if you've ever fealt the soreness in your joints after typing for a while without the padding, but thats something i'd like to <i>avoid</i>, heh
<b>people are only idiots when they don't realize - when they do it just gets funnier, like a dog chasing its own tail, or like george bush's public address(es)</b>
I've had Carpal Tunnel in both hands and wrists from many years of playing piano and guitar, and yes ... the gel pads help relieve some of the strain while using a keyboard or mouse for long periods of time (which is something I sometimes can't avoid, since my job is repairing and building systems.) They also help keep your hands in the proper position while working. I recommend them to anyone that has a Repetitive Strain Injury.
And it seems from that description that stronger muscles do really help.
Error, I program a lot of the time cause I work with quantum computing and have to make simulations/ test stuff, and also I just love to program. I also do graphics and play a bunch of games. On an average day I'd say I spend around 6 hours in front of comp b/c all the work I have to do, tho on more hectic occasions (which r common hehe) 14 hours nonstop is not unusual. Hmm, I'm also double jointed in my left wrist- I can bend it so there's like a 30 or 20 degree angle between my hand and forearm, vs the normal 90 degrees.
Have You ever tried to tilt the keyboard, or the desk supporting the keyboard and mouse, in an angle AWAY from You? This will eliminate most of the static tention in all parts of the wrist as it will no longer be bent upwards. It's a bit wierd at first but really comfortable once You get used to it.
I've been in a whole bunch of offices where people have the wildest contraptions for preventing wrist fatigue and RMIs... always the keyboards are propped up on the legs and people ar bitching about the pain...
I've always kept the legs on my keyboards folded up... laying it flat, but not away from me. I have a soft rubber mat, simialar to a mouse pad (it's a dinner table "place mat" actually) under the keyboard so that my wrists don't sit on the hard surface of the table. I also make a point of operating the mouse only with my fingertips, not nestled into the palm of my hand. So far... no pain...
Talking to a couple of my customers who've got problems (both dicta-typists who rattle keys 8 hours a day) I've been told that if you are experiencing wrist or elbow pain you should consult a doctor and learn the exact nature of the RMI and use only medically recommended devices. Apparently some of the common market "wrist pads" and such can actually make it worse.
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