There are various fields of work that require a high volume of typing daily, which may lead to hand and wrist pain down the line. Furthermore, as most people now own a computer and spend several hours a day using the internet, you can end up with pains from typing recreationally. Typing at a computer for long periods may eventually lead to a repetitive strain injury (RSI) or flexor carpi radialis pain, which is a very painful condition caused by repetitive hand and wrist movements. Thankfully, there are methods to prevent RSI from typing.
Stretch Frequently
Due to the unnatural movements our hands and wrists make when typing, there is a change of them becoming stiff and eventually sore. To prevent this from occurring, try to stretch your hands and wrists daily, especially after long bouts of typing. Many stretches work well on the fingers, hands, and wrists, so make sure to try these out to help alleviate any stiffness and keep things limber.
Shake Your Hands and Wrists
Much like stretching, giving your hands and wrists a vigorous shake after typing works well to prevent pain by relieving tension and increasing blood flow. Doing so ensures you avoid serious pain such as cramping in your fingers.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration is known to exasperate muscle cramps, so by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, you can avoid this issue and the pain that comes with it. Cramping in the fingers is very painful, so keep drinking water to avoid any problems.
Invest in an Ergonomic Keyboard
An ergonomic keyboard looks quite different from a conventional keyboard, namely being split down the middle that results in more curvature. In doing so, the keyboard allows your wrists to sit in a much more natural position, sitting at a much straighter angle compared to using a standard keyboard.
Take Frequent Breaks
Forgetting to take a break when typing for long periods is a bad idea, as it doesn’t give your wrists and hands time to rest. Even just stopping typing for 10 minutes makes a world of a difference, giving your joints and muscles the rest they need to avoid a repetitive strain injury.
Get a Stress Ball
While you may not be stressed from typing (yet!) a stress ball is a fantastic investment for anyone looking to avoid hand and wrist pain. The reason is quite simple – the motions used to squeeze the ball stretch all your fingers at once. As stretching is one of the most effective ways of preventing pain, it’s a great idea to buy yourself a few stress balls and use them for a few minutes each day after typing.
