Hi fellow programmers.

How do you ensure to prevent RSI and/or manage RSI? Especially with your hands and arms.

For those who don’t know, RSI is a disorder that occurs when repeating the same movements too much for a long period of time. This frequently occurs when sitting behind a desk and using keyboard and mouse the entire day.

I personally have a great (but expensive) chair with arm rests and have a slightly ergonomic mouse (it has a curve, to make it more comfortable for my thumb).

Honestly, I dislike having to disrupt my computer activities every hour, because I’m usually quite immersed / invested into whatever I’m doing. Whether that’s watching a movie, developing an app or simply playing videogames. However, I’ll probably have to start taking frequent breaks, in order to prevent RSI from taking a hold in my body. Unfortunately, we only get one body, one chance, so let’s not mess it up with neglecting breaks and acquiring RSI.

  • snoweM
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    71 year ago

    Split keyboard is what worked for me. I started with a hand built ergodox, but now think that that’s huge. I currently only use my crkbd keyboards. It really is astounding that the “normal” keyboard is what people decided is best with how absolutely terrible it is in just about every way. Minimizing finger movement and splitting your hands apart should be your main priorities.

    • @swordsmanluke@programming.dev
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      11 year ago

      Agreed. My wrist strain decreased noticeably when I invested in a nice split keyboard. I’m very happy with my UHK, but multiple friends have spoken highly to me of their Moonlanders as well.