I have been working from home for the last six months or so, since the COVID related shutdowns began. I have been having terrible hand, shoulder and upper-back pain since then. It has increased to an extent that my productivity is getting affected.<p>The right thumb (used for the mouse), the right wrist, the shoulders are the one that pain the most. Sometime I feel like I cannot even use the spacebar with my thumb because of the pain and use my index finger.<p>I am a touch typist and sit straight in an ergonomic chair. I use a thinkpad. My monitor elevated and is at eyelevel. I do not have any problems in my lower back. It is the upper back and the right hand that gives problem.<p>This could possibly be because, I have a small frame and can only rest my left elbow in the hand-rest but not my right elbow as the chair is wide. I do not have narrower sized ergonomic chairs where I live (Some small town in India). We get standard one-size-fits-all chairs. I sit either cross legged or at the 90 degree angle with the help of a foot rest. I sit in front of the computer for about 10 hours a day. I take frequent walks and breaks too (thanks pomodoro).<p>Do any of you have any recommendations for eliminating this pain ? I am considering buying some kind of vertical / ergonomic mouse and keyboard. I am eyeing the kinesis split keyboard so that I can rest both my hands in the handrest. I am thinking if I should get a trackball instead of the mouse, as some people are recommending that. Youtube has contradictory recommendations (ex: should [not] rest wrists while typing). What do you HN readers do for improving ergonomics or steps you did to reduce/eliminate hand/wrist/shoulder pain ? Thanks.
No offense this is not a technology fix, this is a get some real exercise and be healthier. Do it now before you get older and things get harder to fix using mother nature.<p>Your body was not designed to sit and type for 10 hours even with breaks. You need to move and use your entire body to do something physical.<p>Try weightlifting with a trainer or a trusted friend who knows what they are doing. Go for a hike not a walk or look up fully body calisthenic workouts on youtube. You can do those with no equipment.<p>You could have an Embody chair and a self adjusting perfect desk and keyboard and you will still hurt doing what you are doing. Please take this as a positive nudge towards becoming healthier.