Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Sore Wrists:

This is topic Sore Wrists: in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Phanto (Member # 1619) on :

What is it you do for those terrible pains which come from fierce writing?
My wrist hurts like heck!

Posted by GZ (Member # 1374) on :

Sounds like your keyboard isn't at a comfortable level. Ergomoics and all that. I believe the proscribed level is so your elbows hang straight at your sides, and you aren't bending your wrists in a strange manner, which is a bit lower than a standard desk. SFWA has a link.

A good anti-inflamitory, some hot water, and most importantly some rest, might cure the immediate pain problem. Worked for the hand cramps I got from marathon crocheting. I could work through it up to a point, and then I just had to stop.

[This message has been edited by GZ (edited January 18, 2004).]

Posted by Phanto (Member # 1619) on :

Wow.
Thanks.

My keyboard was on a slant. Now, I fixed it--OMG the differance.

You are the best.
For this, you get a special thanks in my book's dedication page, when it's published.

[This message has been edited by Phanto (edited January 18, 2004).]

Posted by somnambulous (Member # 1849) on :

There's a good handbook on wrist care I read awhile back by a piano player for those who type. I forget what its called now, it was so long ago, but the best advice hat I remember is to keep your arms aligned with your wrists, so your wrists arent forced at an angle while you type... Also, you shouldn't be supporting any weight on your wrists directly. None at all. If possible your typing surface should be at the same level as your elbows.

Personally, I rest my elbows on the armrests of my chair and they carry all the weight, but I don't believe this is recommended. It seems to work for me when I get it right though. My elbow is a pivot point and my wrists only support themselves... My hands pretty much rest at an angle like so... / \ with my arms aligned. I think alot of people hurt their wrists from aligning their arms at an angle... / \ and their hands parallel on the keyboard... | |... That's not good.

I'm no doctor or anything. The only wrist pain I get nowadays is from using a traditional mouse if I'm working in Quark or something all day long or something mouse-intensive... I use a rollball now and I'm good. It was all that rubbing of my wrist ont he edge of the mouse pad that really got me.

But basically, just like any repetetive motion injury, if you are experiencing pain, the real problem is technique. Pain remedies aren't the answer.

But of course, I suggest doing some research somewhere a little more authoratative than polling anonymous message board posters.

[This message has been edited by somnambulous (edited January 18, 2004).]