A discussion came up in an on-line writing group regarding what to do about painful human-keyboard contact. It would be inappropriate to recreate that thread here without the permission of all involved, but here’s a tweaked version of my own recommendations.
If you have overcome all the mental and logistic blocks to getting your writing done, but have to face pain at the keyboard, problems with wrist fatigue, carpal tunnel syndrome, strange tinglings or outright pain in your digits, etc., I would strongly suggest a multi-pronged attack:
1 - Get a Medical Assessment
Make sure you don’t have an injury or illness that is causing the pain. Pains in the extremities could indeed be carpal tunnel, or they could be something else. If your problem is not related to injury or some form of repetitive stress, it could be from shingles, gout, or a vast array of other ailments, some of them hard for even the pros to diagnose. Unless the source of the problem is completely obvious, get a qualified medical expert to assess your state of well-being in this regard. If they have advice to offer and the advice is not completely ludicrous, try that advice before prescribing your own solution.
2 – Get and Use an Ergonomic Keyboard.
A good example is the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. This will make a HUGE difference in wrist fatigue for many individuals over the long run. And you can probably make the mental adjustment after as little as one day of use. The example keyboard is a USB device, so you can plug it into ANY laptop (any made in the last 10 years anyway), as well as any desktop PC or even your MAC. I know the ergo keyboard choice is a nearly religious topic among computer users, but the objections to trying this are rather weak.
3 – Upgrade Your BorgWare
Borgware? I’m talking about any artificial stuff that goes onto the outside of your body to help get you through the day. If you have wrist braces, whether they are the ultra-cheap stretchy bandage, the $20 Ace specials from Rite-Aid, or the megabucks models from your local orthopedic clinic, check that yours are the best for your type of ailment, that you are using them correctly, and that they are in good shape (they can wear out). I use an off-the-shelf brace from the Ace “Tek Zone” line, found at my local Rite-Aid or Walgreens for about $18, and it works wonders on my wrist. You may have special needs here and advice or prescriptions from your doctor or physical therapist. If what they provide does not work, get them to fix it or set up you to get another. If at all possible, find a way to make your insurance pay for it, because that is what it is there for.
4 - Try Voice Recogntion
Voice recognition software has come a long way. There is the “free” variety that comes built-in with the last couple of Microsoft Windows releases. I specifically recommend Dragon Naturally Speaking. The “entry level” Dragon version 10 software can be found for as low as $100 as a boxed set that includes a suitable microphone/headset. This technology has really matured. You can reasonably expect to achieve better than 96% percent accuracy after just a couple of hours of “training” (reading canned paragraphs) and use. You can use this to put text directly into your word processor program. I have used it with MS Word (from ’97 to 2007 versions), OpenOffice Writer, Celtx, even “VI for Windows” (yeah, for some things VI still rules). And you can usually use it to “drive” the computer, i.e. to launch other programs and switch between them, though that is a bit more complicated. The higher end versions add still more functionality. This solution is not for everyone, but if you are psychologically flexible enough to get over the initial weirdness, you will find this can be an awesome tool. You can even use it to feed your dictations, i.e. to play your tape recordings to your computer and have it transcribe them for you.
4 – Do an Ergo Check on Your Workspace
Your desk, keyboard height, monitor height, chair height and tilt, etc., all interact to form your total ergonomic environment. If the wrists are the Sore Spot, you can start with chair and keyboard heights, wrist angle to keyboard, and work out from there. A lot of this you can determine from on-line research. But you may also be able to tap into your medical insurance to get professional advice, even an on-site (at home or work) ergo assessment by a suitable professional. If your insurance won’t cover it, you may be able to contract an ergonomics pro to consult with you at a less-than-doctor-visit rate, perhaps even via email by sending them some critical measurements of your workspace. There are also local classes in ergonomic office setup available at some local college campuses.
5 – Explore Dietary Influences
In other words, consider saying goodbye to the cow, or at least the solid parts of her in your refrigerator. When my joint problems in my wrists and elsewhere were at their worst, I was advised by a friend to try reducing my red meat intake. As a major consumer of hamburger and steak, this was quite an adjustment for me, but I did try it. The results after a couple of weeks without beef were simply astounding. I still eat the occasional t-bone or hamburger, but as a treat, not a regular meal. I have replaced about 85-90% of my previous beef consumption with chicken or fish, and it has made a huge difference.
I am no professional ergonomic specialist, dietition, or orthopedic expert … I am just a professional person who uses his computer to make a living, and who has had to make “adjustments” to keep working at times. Your mileage may vary. Anything that represents a substantial change in your personal habits should be sanity-checked by someone with training and experience. If you are on a budget or one of the Uninsured Masses (I have been there), there are still cheap and free solutions you can pursue. It is your environment. Own it!
