Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!cs.utexas.edu!oakhill!dover!talent
From: talent@dover.sps.mot.com (Steve Talent)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Avoiding Wrist Damage when Typing
Message-ID: <1932@dover.sps.mot.com>
Date: 25 Oct 89 17:25:13 GMT
References: <15349@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU>
Reply-To: talent@dover.sps.mot.com (Steve Talent)
Organization: Motorola SPS, Mesa, AZ
Lines: 29

In article <15349@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU> erspert@athena.mit.edu (Ellen R. Spertus) writes:
>I have heard horror stories about people who have ruined their wrists
>from holding their hands in improper positions at computer or piano
>keyboards.  Can anyone tell me how we're supposed to position our
>hands (i.e. with wrists on table, low, high, whatever)?  Please
>answer by email.  I will summarize if there is interest.
>
>					Ellen

I developed problems in my fingers from improper typing posture.  The
condition is commonly called "Trigger Finger" - I forget the medical
term.  After being told that surgery may be the solution I changed my
typing posture and have not had many problems since.

I used to type with my wrists or the heels of my palms resting on the table.
To reach the keys I had to bend my wrist back at an angle.  I started having
problems with pain in my hands and if were to grip something, e.g. a screw-
driver, my fingers would lock.  I had to straighten my fingers by pulling
them with the other hand.

I now type with my wrists flat and the problem rarely occurs.  Sit upright
with your elbows about the same height as the lower edge of the keyboard.
Your forearm will be inclined 3 to 5 degrees from horizontal.  One reason 
I believe I developed bad typing posture before is that my chair was too
low relative to the keyboard.  I had to reach up to the keyboard and because
of arm fatigue I would rest my wrists on the table.
-- 
Steve Talent, Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector CAD
Mesa, AZ  602-994-6801,  ...!{oakhill, sun!sunburn, uunet}!dover!talent