I'm a programmer and a hobbyist sleight of hand card magician, ie two things that require my hands to be in good health. I use a Kinesis Advantage 2 ergonomic

I'm a programmer and a hobbyist sleight of hand card magician, ie two things that require my hands to be in good health. I use a Kinesis Advantage 2 ergonomic keyboard. They're not cheap, but they greatly help with comfort IMHO. I greatly regret not buying one ten years earlier (I almost did, but put it off due to the cost). I use it with a foot pedal for shift and other things. I would highly recommend that any programmer seriously consider getting or trying one out. If I feel stain or pain, I will sleep while wearing wrist braces to keep the joints straight at night. Its a bit weird and uncomfortable, but you get used to it. I haven't needed to do it in about a year. Regular breaks and stretches are also good and keeping your joints warm helps prevent damage. Also, I see a lot of people at conferences and in the office hammering their keyboards as if on an old-school typewriter. Don't do that. Also, as others have mentioned, keeping your keyboard (and everything else) at a proper height is important. Exercise (for your hands an in general) are great too, as others have said. Some great advice here today! Finally, if you have carpel tunnel specifically, I recommend trying these out: https://www.mycarpaltunnel.com/carpal-tunnel-treatment/ligament-stretching/ https://www.mycarpaltunnel.com/carpal-tunnel-treatment/ligam... They're a bit pricey and not guaranteed to work, but they did for me. The pain went away after about 3 to 4 weeks and hasn't really come back (after heavy typing on a bad keyboard without breaks maybe, but nothing a wrist brace for the night didn't sort out). I've been pretty much pain free for 1.5 years since using that. Anecdotal, I know...