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Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
I'm not kidding, although it is a self diagnosis. If you don't know what RSI is, heres a link:
Repetitive strain injury - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I never thought I would be one to end up with that.. but I'm pretty sure that's my problem. I use a computer all day, and then most evenings I use a computer some more to play games, watch films and surf the web. I can't really function without it, so "just don't use a computer anymore" isn't an option.
The "injury" is in my hand. When you hold a mouse, your thumb holds the side of the mouse on the left to give you a good grip of it, and it pushes the mouse to the right when you want it to go right. I only hold it gently, like most people. It's not like a strain from squeezing with my thumb, its more of a problem due to me having to keep my thumb in, in an unusual position for long lengths of time. The discomfort is here:
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5521/handfl8.jpg
I'm pretty positive it is from holding a mouse. I haven't done anything unusual lately and no injuries or anything. And when I hold a mouse now, it feels uncomfortable in the tendons area between my thumb and index finger. In the last few days, I searched for a new mouse because I figured if I could get a wide mouse, my thumb wouldn't be "in" all the time. I don't have huge hands, but they are fairly big I suppose. But I couldn't find any large mice! Even the fancy expensive mice are pretty much the same size as a normal one. Some of them are a bit bigger and have bumps in some places and stuff, but they aren't significantly wide enough to make a difference. I currently just use a Microsoft Optical Mouse, so everything else is similar shape and size to that.
After not finding one immediately, I made a temporary fix, and I found an old toy car I had since a kid, and I've sellotaped it to the side of the mouse. It now feels much bigger and chunkier when I'm holding the mouse, and it is SO much more comfortable, and the pain is gone when I use a mouse. But it's not ideal.. It looks stupid, it's going to get all full of gunk in a the coming weeks/months, my friends can't get used to it when they pop around to my house, etc.. So it works, but it's not a long term solution. This is kind of what it looks like:
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/545/58854918er4.jpg
So can anyone suggest anything? I can't find any mouse with big bulges on the left side of them. I am pretty sure this all stems from bad mouse holding technique by the way... I never knew there was a technique, but I think there is. I looked it up on the web, and it looks like you are meant to have your thumb flat against the left side of the mouse, and I never did that. I think it's too late now though.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
I'm left-handed and using a right-handed mouse, which the thumb issue doesn't affect me at all. In fact my thumb's position is about the same as the top of your toy car (respectively)
Which makes me wonder why mouses are made like this in the first place.
Try sending a feedback to Microsoft?
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
You could use a trackball when not gaming which would ease the strain on your thumb and save the mouse only for gaming.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Likewise,im a lefty using a right handed mouse, its much more comfortable...
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Flewis
You could use a trackball when not gaming which would ease the strain on your thumb and save the mouse only for gaming.
I also find a trackball more comfortable to use than a mouse.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
My only suggesting is getting it looked at correctly as if you are right in your self diagnosis and your not careful you can do more damage than good.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
I've not heard of RSI in that location before, but if it is RSI then you have to just STOP using your hand for the mouse altogether. RSI does not get better if you make slight adjustments, you have to completely rest the affected part for over a week. Switch your mouse to your left hand for at least a week. Stop playing games.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
All great suggestions, thanks! I might try a left handed mouse and see if that does anything. I also like the idea of a trackball. I could just use that in the days for work, and take a week off gaming.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
can you take a photo of your hand on your mouse in your "normal" position? ta.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
How about a fingermouse?
No, not the 80s kids show, but one of these ?
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
directhex
can you take a photo of your hand on your mouse in your "normal" position? ta.
I haven't got a camera unfortunately - even on my phone. I might be able to find a picture on the web though, either of someone who puts their hand in the same position, or I might have to doctor one.
EDIT: I looked but I can't really find one. All the pictures show people holding a mouse properly, and I don't think I hold it properly. In the pictures, their index finger is perfectly parallel with the side of the mouse. Mine isn't when I use a mouse. My index finger tip is on the left button, but the last knuckle on that finger (where it joins my hand), is off to the left of the mouse slightly. So I hold the mouse at a weird angle. And that no doubt makes my thumb have to stick in a bit further than most people :( I can try using it differently (properly), but it feels weird. Maybe I would get used to it? It just feels completely odd, like writing with your left hand as a rightly, or vice versa.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Taz
Sounds like tendonitis.
Ahh, thanks. I'll probably just go to my doctor if it doesn't get better in a few days. It actually feels ok today, but I haven't really been using a mouse today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mikerr
How about a fingermouse?
No, not the 80s kids show, but one of
these ?
WOW! You just point at your mouse mat? That thing looks great :o
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
I think its the design of the mouse as its made for left and right handed users so it is not as moulded to either hand properly, you could get a mouse like the Logitech G5 design. I had a similar Microsoft mouse and after using it for long periods you notice you mainly use your thumb to grip the mouse when moving it. You could also get a key board with a trackpad (like a laptop) or a tablet and use the pen thing it comes with.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
I think I've just realised I hold a mouse funny. :( Problem with that G5 even, is that I'd just hold that wrong too. I think I need to start making an effort to relearn how I hold a mouse. It's gunna feel like im wearing my pants back to front for a while, but I'll probably get used to it.
I'm still super intrigued by that finger mouse though. I'm gunna have to look into that because it looks great. Not sure how left and right clicks would work with that, but I'll see. I think if I can get used to holding a mouse properly (more parallel), I might treat myself to a G5 or something like that.
edit: Ok ive taken the car off :P I'm now trying to use a mouse properly, but it feels awkward! I think my hands might be quite big. The two fingers on the right are completely off the mouse and I have to drag them around when I move the mouse :( I'm definitely going to try to buy a bigger mouse, which I think will help. Maybe that G5 would do the trick.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
well alot of mice, like the pictured microsoft one, are egonomically designed to fit no one. They are symetrical for nether right or left hand confort and sized to a mythical "avarage" hand that is always too large or small for you.
it does sound less like RSI persay as within the mouse hand it tends to be ether finger clicks or wrist movement that is the problem.
although pushing the mouse left and rigth with little finger and thumb could be causeing it.
A change in mouse may indeed solve your problem or might just push it somewhere else, especially if you get avery diffenr shape/style of mouse as that would force you to change your grip/mose usage.
One thing you could try is opening up your current moust and sticking a weight inside it, as it might be the weight of the toy car forceing you to push that bit harder that releaves your current problem.
When it occures with typeing often the best thing (after a period of rest) is a more "resistant" keyboard that requires more force on the keys to type.
Try to take more breaks and don't use the pc in the evening for a day or two.
You could try useing a tracker ball or a good old joystick. ;) again same prinsiple of changeing the position and action of the hand.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Thanks :) Good stuff. I never would have thought something like a blummin mouse could do this. But I do use it a lot.
I'm now holding it how it shows me in pictures. I could get used to it, but the wierdest thing is that the two right fingers are supposed to be off the side of the mouse and on the mat. So when you move the mouse, you have to lift those two fingers slightly... Very odd. The way I was holding it, had all fingers touching the mouse, so as I moved the mouse, all my fingers where resting on the mouse so they all slid together. Sounds better, but obviously it isn't :(
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
acrobat
EDIT: I looked but I can't really find one. All the pictures show people holding a mouse properly, and I don't think I hold it properly. In the pictures, their index finger is perfectly parallel with the side of the mouse. Mine isn't when I use a mouse. My index finger tip is on the left button, but the last knuckle on that finger (where it joins my hand), is off to the left of the mouse slightly. So I hold the mouse at a weird angle. And that no doubt makes my thumb have to stick in a bit further than most people :( I can try using it differently (properly), but it feels weird. Maybe I would get used to it? It just feels completely odd, like writing with your left hand as a rightly, or vice versa.
tried that just now, felt painful within 20 seconds. seriously, this is your problem.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
u do know that there are some things to help with RSI like this
Powerball Original 250Hz Blue
its a powerball and been proven to help prevent RSI
i use it about 10 mins a day but thats for workout purposes you can use it a few mins a day and it can help
just thought id say
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Destroyer^
u do know that there are some things to help with RSI like this
Powerball Original 250Hz Blue
its a powerball and been proven to help prevent RSI
i use it about 10 mins a day but thats for workout purposes you can use it a few mins a day and it can help
just thought id say
still won't help if he keeps his thumb tucked away!
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Tried it tonight with holding the mouse differently. I'm getting used to it already. I still have a bit of pain there though, so I'm thinking I might need to have a week or so without using a computer. I'll then start using a mouse with a different grip, and I might buy a new mouse too (bigger and better).
Thanks for all the help.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
We need a picture gallery of all the different ways hexus users hold their meeces..
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
I would guess that most people hold it the same way, but I dunno. This is the picture I'm trying to learn from and start using it like.
Mouse Practice - Learn How To Use The Mouse
The right one.
Most people have their index finger, parallel to the side of the mouse, but this one even has the hand twisted anti-clockwise slightly, so the finger points left slightly. It seems better to me. I used to twist my hand the opposite way, so it feels a lot different. It's just gunna take some getting used to.
In the meantime, I'm using the mouse with my left hand like someone suggested earlier. I'm not going to be winning any FPS's, but I can at least still work.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Must be scope for some sensor that detects where on the screen your eye is looking, and moves the pointer there. Then use a couple of switches (foot switches?) to switch focus/activate option... (Works for the Apache attack helicopter...)
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
acrobat
I would guess that most people hold it the same way, but I dunno. This is the picture I'm trying to learn from and start using it like.
Mouse Practice - Learn How To Use The Mouse
The right one.
Most people have their index finger, parallel to the side of the mouse, but this one even has the hand twisted anti-clockwise slightly, so the finger points left slightly. It seems better to me. I used to twist my hand the opposite way, so it feels a lot different. It's just gunna take some getting used to.
In the meantime, I'm using the mouse with my left hand like someone suggested earlier. I'm not going to be winning any FPS's, but I can at least still work.
the important thing is that your hand should be RELAXED. take a limp hand (no gay jokes please), and place it on the mouse comfortably, with index finger able to click the left button.
any tension in any part of your hand will multiply over time.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
I used to get shooting pains in my right little finger about a year ago when I was coding all day at work and then gaming all night.
The solution that worked for me (which I still continue even though the pain has gone) was to use my left hand at work and my right-hand at home.
Might be worth a shot.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
acrobat
That looks horrendous - maybe ok for a small two button mouse though I guess.
I'm currently using a MS office mouse
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/ima...explorer-1.jpg Which you can see has a sort of twist at the bottom. I hold this twist between my thumb and little finger so that the bottom section is in line with my wrist. This means the front of the mouse angles about 15 degrees to the left, then my index finger rests on the left button, middle finger on the scroll wheel, and ring finger on the right button. All completely relaxed and I don't need to tense my grip to push buttons or move the mouse.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Personally I hold my mouse (Razer Copperhead) more in a "claw", index finger lightly touching left button, middle finger lightly touching right button, ring finger just off the right button (you guessed it touching lightly), little finger sits on the side under the "bumper" my Thumb on the other bumper or just below to use thumb buttons. The rest of my hand doesn't touch the mouse at all! However, my wrist is on a wrist rest so isn't bent and the majority of the weight of my arm is supported here. Small movements are all that is then required to move my mouse around the screen, 2000dpi FTW!
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
peterb
Must be scope for some sensor that detects where on the screen your eye is looking, and moves the pointer there. Then use a couple of switches (foot switches?) to switch focus/activate option... (Works for the Apache attack helicopter...)
That would be sweet :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
abeacock
I used to get shooting pains in my right little finger about a year ago when I was coding all day at work and then gaming all night.
The solution that worked for me (which I still continue even though the pain has gone) was to use my left hand at work and my right-hand at home.
Might be worth a shot.
Thats what I'm doing at the moment. It's working, but I'm so rubbish at using the mouse with my left hand :P It's like writing with your other hand. Hoping I get used to it soon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kalniel
I hold this twist between my thumb and little finger so that the bottom section is in line with my wrist. This means the front of the mouse angles about 15 degrees to the left, then my index finger rests on the left button, middle finger on the scroll wheel, and ring finger on the right button. All completely relaxed and I don't need to tense my grip to push buttons or move the mouse.
That sounds similar to what I used to do. Mouse angled to the left about 15 degrees or so. I thought it was fine, and I don't tense my grip or anything and it was never anything other than nice and comfortable. It just worked out being bad after a long time.
Actually, now that I'm using the mouse with my left hand, I can really feel what is comfortable or not.
It seems like there is a kind of ball of my hand, like a heel in my hand - the big rounded part of your palm where your thumb attaches to your hand. I think my problem is that that wasn't supported before. When I have that supported by the back of the mouse, it stops and bits of discomfort.
Real pain the bum though, having to faff around with my mouse grip. Argh. Tempted to buy that finger mouse thingy..
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
I used to have a similar problem using a normal mouse as pictured above by Kalniel and I think I understand how you've been holding your mouse which was similar to how I used to. I had a cheap Microsoft generic mouse at the time so I swapped out to a logitech MX700 which completely altered the way I held the mouse due to it's design (Not having a cord also helped with free movement and being a fair amount heavier seemed to make using it more natural as I have large hands)
Had a holiday where I couldn't use a mouse for about 3 weeks, came back to using the new mouse and all pain disapeared. I did find that I had a bit of discomfort for the first few days in different parts of my hand, just like doing a new exercise at the gym can work different muscle groups.
Recently I've been getting cramps in my upper back and pain in my wrists. I think it's caused by the crap generic dell style keyboard that I use at work as I have to angle my arms inwards then bend sharply at the wrists to be able to type. I use a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard at home and have been pestering work to get me one although the IT bloke keeps forgetting even though he's said that it's cleared to buy it as things like RSI, strains etc are on their watch list. Going to just buy one for myself and put it on expenses if they don't get it sorted soon.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Cool. I've done some research on mice in the last couple of days. The Logitech G5 is looking promising. The G7 and G9 are better I think, but somewhere said that the G5 is bigger.. so I might buy one of those. I tried to find one locally so I could try it out first, but nowhere had it! Even PC World.
I'm gunna research it a bit more, and then I'll just order one from scan. I dont really care about price or features, I just want one that doesn't make me claw up my hand. Something the size of a house brick would be preferable :P They all seem about the same, but I think that G5 might be a bit bigger than most.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
I personally found the logitech mx400 laser mouse very comfy, it has the rather humpy shape of some of there older models that fit my hand well.
But that's my hands which arn't that large.
My current A4tech laser mouse is a little smaller and flatter than I'd ideally like and I do find my self pushing it about with my finger tips (thumb one side, little and ring finger the other) while resting the heel of my hand on my desk.
While I can rest my hand on it with the thumb flat against the side, I find my fingers are a bit too far to the end for my likeing and curling my finger back to use the wheel is far too awarkard and my hand moves back to the finger tip position.
I do put a strip cut from a mouse mat under the heel of my hand some times to cussion it some times as it can get sore (one of the cloth covered foam mouse mats btw)
I used to love the shape of the old logitech mx700, the cordless mice are alway that bit larger and nicer to rest your hand on.
Only problem is when they run out of power half way through something. :rolleyes:
I wish they mad more corded mice the same shape as cordless they are mainly hollow plastic after all.
And personally I've never got on with the flat tapered profile of the razors.
EDIT: just double checked, it's more wrist rotateing around the ball of my hand than finger tip pushing, I sort of twist the mouse very slightly with thumb and fingers to keep it going stright left/right.
Wow I use this mouse in an odd way.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
As most people have already said I would first guess at the shape of your mouse or the way you hold it. I used to have a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer years ago, which was a bit bigger than your average mouse, and I used to get cramp type pains around the area you have mentioned which would force me to take a break. As the weeks went by it would take less and less time before I would start getting the pains and I eventually went and got a new mouse and have not had the problem since.
Not saying that your problem is the same or that getting a new mouse will deffo solve it of course, but it would be the first thing I would suggest looking at :)
At home I have always had a logitech mouse since having that MS Explorer, using the MX500, MX510, MX518 and now the G9 and would recommend the latter to anyone.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
I had a pretty similar problem to you last summer when I was using some generic dell crappy mouse for around 10 hours a day, although it was my little finger on my right hand that had the problem. I found that it was because the mouse was just too small, width and height wise and also too light to what I was used to before hand.
I changed to a MX1000 and have never had any problems at all since, but it did take a while to get used to the shape of the thing, but now it feels really strange using something different. Its just one of those things that will feel weird at first but then become so natural you wont even notice it.
I think getting a different mouse is probably your best option as it will force you to change the way you hold the thing. I now hold it with my index finger pretty much parallel to the side of the mouse resting on the left button, my middle finger resting on the other side of the scroll on the right button and my other two fingers off the side with the tips slightly resting on the desk. My thumb rests in the grove below the buttons. I guess its not that dissimilar to in that link you put up earlier but the whole of my hand rests on the mouse which I find much more natural and comfortable then not doing it (thats where I think my problem came from).
Thinking back I think I used to hold a mouse like you described but got my pains elsewhere, and I guess getting the pain when I did was actually a good thing as it made me change how I was holding it before it did some major damage.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Thanks guys :)
I'm definitely going to order a mouse tonight. It's just a shame I need to use a mouse to browse reviews to find the right one :P I'm pretty sure it will be a Logitech though, I just need to pick between a G5, a G9, or maybe one of their other ones I know nothing about yet..
I just need to make sure its as big as possible. The G9 does look pretty big, but I read that the G5 was even bigger, so I might just get that. I need to double check tonight though. I also saw one site briefly, which said he preferred a Razor mouse to the G9. I looked at it though, but it looked pretty small and flat. That would kill me.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
no idea what it's like but was just looking through scan and spotted this
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
pen mouse! on to try to con work into getting for you for health reasons? :innocent:
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
I have carpal tunnel injury, from using a keyboard on the floor in the winter because someone stole my table, one day for no reason both my hands went pretty numb without any warning, I have been into heavy gaming sessions for 20 years so my hands were very strong but I hadn't used them at all for a whole month which might have been part of it.
anyway I wish someone had told me when they went numb that I should go to the accident and emergency and get a cortisone/anti-inflammatory injection straightaway because it would have prevented some considerable damage and long-term loss of ability in my hands, I just spend two or three years not being able to handle books comfortably, use screwdrivers, keyboards myst joysticks Joypads garden tools-in fact I am typing this with-voice recognition
however if you look on the smartnav user forums for the mouse replacement, you will find some half price deals, I actually finished fear and quake with an infrared mouse with a cap with a reflector on it.
it's actually pixel accurate and very intuitive at least as much as a mouse, so you should use that whenever you need to rest your hand and:juggle:
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
First off, I love your ingenuity with the car, that's one professional mod!!
I would suggest that even with improved hand positioning and different interface methods that the problem would lie with the amount of time you use the pc, especially in intensive sessions.
I have the same problem as I work in IT and then spend 90% of my free time infront of the PC at home for gaming and social stuff.
I would suggest two things.
1. As well as your mouse, look at other things in your PC setup, such as desk height, monitor position and chair ergonomics. I got a huge benefit from altering these things. There are many guides online to what you 'should' have things setup like. Whilst many of these are designed for typists and the suchlike, some of the principles can be applied to gaming etc. I had huge back and neck problems too until i made some significant changes here.
Do you use a wrist rest? Some people find it better or worse with one, it's a bit personal here. The guidance is not to use any support, but I find it helps.
2. Specialised excersises!!! I can't stress (no pun intended) this enough! I have personally found a huge benefit from doing things like just standing up and walking 5 yards away and back between rounds (gets' the blood flowing again to all body parts)
Another excercise I would advocate is hand stretches (the type of things you do when you get RSI) before you experience any of the symptoms. Things like stretching all your fingers as far back as they go and holding for 30 seconds, then crunching them into a tight fist and holding this for 30 seconds. Doing this once and hour/30 mins or so will benefit repeat RSI by getting you hand out of one fixed position.
In terms of getting rid of RSI, the only thing to do it rest it really. I have had occasions where a bad RSI period during the night, feels fine in the morning, only to re-occur within ten minutes of gaming again. If this is happening, you need a longer break!!
Hopefully some of this may be of use to people, I have found many of these things beneficial
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Pob255
I've just ordered a Logitech G5 and that little pen mouse :) It was so cheap, I thought I should just give it a shot. I nearly got the G9, but based purely on pictures, I just fancied my chances more with that G5 .
Quote:
Originally Posted by
viet cong zombi
considerable damage and long-term loss of ability in my hands, I just spend two or three years not being able to handle books comfortably, use screwdrivers, keyboards myst joysticks Joypads garden tools-in fact I am typing this with-voice recognition
Bloody hell! That's bad. I had a look at the TrackIR stuff. I decided to try this new mouse (and the little one too), and see if that helps. If it doesn't help, I'll probably get the TrackIR. I've seen people using that to enhance games like Lock On. I never realised you can use them as a normal mouse replacement really. I'd rather not use that, but it's an option on my list if this new mouse doesn't work out anyway :) Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DougMcDonald
Hopefully some of this may be of use to people, I have found many of these things beneficial
It is mate, thank you. I've found a piece of quite firm foam, and I've started using that as a stress relief hand clenching thingy. It seems to work nicely! I am doing the other stuff you suggested too, and it's all helping. I think a combination of that, and my new mouse (and the other little one), should hopefully solve my issues gradually.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Flewis
You could use a trackball when not gaming which would ease the strain on your thumb and save the mouse only for gaming.
Yes that's what I do as well. I got a logitech marble mouse for £15, and use that with my left hand (normal mouse used with right).
That cleared up my RSI a treat, although mine was more like a sharp pain in wrist/elbow/shoulder, not much like what the OP describes. But whatever, trying a trackball mouse can't hurt.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Thought I'd update a bit. Both my mice arrived today. The thing like a pen isn't that good really, but it is usable. It is bigger and thicker than i expected, so it is nice and comfortable to hold. The 2 mouse buttons are in a good place to hold too. So it works. The only problem is that it isn't especially comfortable for long periods (like writing), and it tends to move when you press the button so it's hard to click small buttons. But I think I will get better at that with practice. It is probably going to be good for just general use and checking my mail etc. I have it working along side my main mouse, so I can just pickup whichever one I want, which will hopefully allow me to have a bit of variety which might ease and repetitive strains. -- Edit: It's actually quite easy to control if I use the spongy little mouse mat that they included. I am getting used to that a bit now. I doubt I would ever play a game like this, but for normal PC usage, it seems to work pretty well.
As for the Logitech G5, it is very good. It has a weight package so I have it at a perfect weight for my liking. It has more buttons than my standard MS mouse. It works nicely on my desk, so I don't even need a mouse mat anymore. I find the middle mouse wheel to be a bit stiff to click in as a button. But again, I will probably get used to that.
As for comfort, I am not convinced yet. It is actually moulded to make me hold it exactly how I was holding the old mouse :( The part where your thumb goes, is actually grooved in so your thumb goes inwards. That\'s exactly what I didn\'t want. I want my thumb to be out not tucked in down the side. Having said that, it is a bit bigger than most mice, and a bit taller, so it changes my hand position slightly, and that alone might be enough to solve my problem. I\'ve only been using it for an hour or so, but it feels different already. Only time will tell if my pains go, but it looks fairly promising. It isn\'t the perfect mouse for me, but it\'s much better than the last one for sure.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
When I have RSI from CAD and gaming I switch to a Wacom Pen as a pointing device and map the mouse clicks to the keyboard. I can work left or right handed with the pen. I can only work right handed with a mouse. A pen tablet is fine for RPG & RTS games and greatly reduces the click fest. I found a tracker ball type device to be the worst pointing device ever and would rather push a mouse with my foot.
The sensible thing to do is play racing games with a steering wheel for a week or two or maybe a space/flight sim with a joystick. Change is good.
Finally get down the local indoor climbing wall and give your hands a workout.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
i went out and got a leather high back chair from argos. They have come down in price in recent years and are very affordable. It has greatly helped as i spend so much time on the comp, it is essential. Hope this helps.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
I seem to need a smallish mouse as I suffer from repetative strain on the back of my hand. Find it far worse when using a large mouse. I also use a wrist rest as I find this helps a lot.
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Re: Please help with my repetitive strain injury.
Yeah a good chair is essential if you use the PC a lot. I never could get into those wrist rests but I might try now. This mouse I have is more sensitive so I don\'t need to move the mouse as much, so I could probably start using a wrist pad now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ed^chigliak
would rather push a mouse with my foot.
lol :)
That pen of yours sounds great. This one I have is really good and I am starting to really like it, but it only has 2 buttons. A third would have let me scroll web pages and play games. Currently I just use it to work and surf and its good for that. It's pretty good. I am starting to get really accurate with it too. I find it best if I sit back and use it on my leg.. I never would have thought you could be accurate like that, but it is. It's pretty perfect and it's soooo comfortable to be able to sit back like that.