Ouch - What to do about ergonomics?

[Citadel535]

I use my computer a lot, both at home and at work. I play first person shooters alot and my wrist is beginning to kill me (maybe it's carpal tunnel). Does anyone who uses the computer a lot have any ergonomic suggestions?

 

[Zebo]

Get a message. Seriously i've spent upwards of 8 hours a day on computers for 7 years and my carpal got so bad I could barley cick the mouse...Then one day I was talking to a doctor where my wife works and she said to get deep tissue massages... Been great ever since.. I'm talking about full body professional ones from a big dude named Sven, not one your gilfriend gives.

And get a MS intellimouse cordless explorer if you have big hands.. And make sure you sit upright with forearms parallel
to ground.

 

[her209]

I wonder if that will solve my problems with ere... err.. never mind.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

post pics of your desk (s), preferrably with you sitting as you normally do.

 

[Citadel535]

I would post a pic if I had a camera to do so. I have a Bush furniture "build it yourself" computer desk. It looks just like this minus thte hutch on top:

http://www.bushfurniture.com/html/desks_3.htm

I was using a gel pad for my mouse for some time but think that it was pushing too much on my wrist. I notice sometimes I get lazy and lean my wrist against the keyboard tray.

In fact the way the keyboard and mouse are setup is just like I have it at home. At work, my desk is what they gave me and the keyboard and mouse are a little higher than they should be for my chair but I can't really purchase a new one since we only redid the offices a few months ago and it's not in the budget.

 

[SSP]

Hmm, i like the gelpad i have for my mouse. If not, i get burn marks under my hand. You could bet a Natural keyboard with the split keys... that might help a lot + keyboard gel pad.

 

[Citadel535]

Well my left hand that I use to type and move around in games is just fine. However, the hand I use the mouse on is what is killing me. There has got to be people who use the computer more than me out there lol.

 

[BOK]

I'm going through the same thing. I not only have pain in my hand/wrist, but pain in my shoulder and upper/mid back (right side). I've already been through physical therapy. What I do now is to try and not use the mouse as much as I can for other tasks (keyboard shortcuts). I also use my mouse on the left side when I'm at work. Also, try to get a mouse that is ergonomic for the right hand (that is, it tilts to the right so that your right forearm does not have to rotate to the left as much). Try the Logitech MX500, or the Intellimouse explorer.