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Staying at home row is not really about ergonomics. The best thing you can do (without breaking the bank, i.e., no bespoke split keyboard setups) for your hand

Staying at home row is not really about ergonomics. The best thing you can do (without breaking the bank, i.e., no bespoke split keyboard setups) for your hand ergonomics at the computer is to get a vertical mouse and tilt your keyboard downwards and away from you (the opposite of what most keyboard feet do, which is tilt your keyboard up and towards you). Both of these keep your wrist neutral/in slight flexion, whereas the typical setup keep your wrists in constant extension which contributes to carpal tunnel.

jchw 1y ago
Interestingly, vertical mice I've tried (yes plural) feel intensely uncomfortable and make my wrist hurt. I actually quite like to use a trackball, but I'm not sure that did much for me either. Best I've ever done is just use the mouse less I guess. Maybe I'll learn to use a pen tablet as my primary pointing device instead.
- dawnofdusk 1y ago
  Interesting! My personal experience is that using a vertical mouse very quickly cured wrist and forearm pain that I had, and that the reason is because the "handshake" position is the most neutral hand/forearm posture from an anatomical perspective. But everyone is different, of course
  - jchw 1y ago
    I also agree that it doesn't feel like it makes any sense, hence trying it a few times. I never actually tried going to a medical professional to figure out why though, and thankfully it has not gotten worse (mostly better, with being more careful.)
- red369 1y ago
  I'm a big fan of using the mouse less. When I was having issues, I learned to use the mouse with my left hand. I got used to it enough to be nearly as fast, but I never liked it so it encouraged me to just use keyboard shortcuts. I thought I invented it, but I've since seen occupational health and safety websites recommend alternating. Here's a link to an Australian gov PDF: https://www.comcare.gov.au/about/forms-pubs/docs/pubs/safety/setting-up-your-workstation-factsheet.pdf https://www.comcare.gov.au/about/forms-pubs/docs/pubs/safety... I've seen it in NZ too. I think they suggested swapping the mouse buttons but I prefer to just leave them and do my left clicking with both fingers when using my left hand.
- hattmall 1y ago
  I use a trackball mouse and anything else feels very cumbersome. It's so much movement moving my entire hand. With the trackball I just flick it directionally with one finger and then catch it with the other finger.
Tarsul 1y ago
I use my standing desk to change the height for sitting here and there. I imagine it helps my wrists and shoulders.
- porridgeraisin 1y ago
  Yes. Instead of the endless search for the perfect static posture, just keep moving the various joints now and then. Adjust your elbow or wrist or the desk or the chair every now and then. This can make you look "unprofessionally" seated if you take it far enough so hopefully your workplace doesn't mind that. Even if you are moving between multiple so-called "bad" postures, you'll be much better off compared to just being static in a "good" posture for 4 hours.
orthoxerox 1y ago
When my old mouse died, I bought a vertical mouse and sold it after a week. I was just too cumbersome to use. When I use a mouse, I keep the forearm and the wrist static and move it mainly with the tips of my thumb and pinkie. This was impossible with a vertical mouse, which expects you to grab it with the whole hand. I found a regular mouse instead, but a decidedly asymmetrical one. This way my hand can stay in a less pronated position while still controlling the mouse the way I am used to.
mabster 1y ago
I wasn't getting RSI per se, more like my arms were fatigued after a day of development. I did the pricey split keyboard thing. One advantage there is that my vertical mouse sits between the keyboard halves which means I don't have to "reach around" to grip it which has saved a whole bunch of muscle movement.
- arcanemachiner 1y ago
  I do this but with a trackball. Works great.
- sshine 1y ago
  I got a split keyboard and for the first time in my life, my wrists are quite strained when I type. It might be a learning curve thing, but I wouldn’t go for a split keyboard for health reasons, just because they’re cool.
cph123 1y ago
I have been using a vertical mouse for a long time now, and it is very comfortable for me. But it does take some getting used to, when I watch others trying to use my computer they always struggle with it. Interestingly as well as being more comfortable to use, I find that it improves my pointing accuracy, feels like fewer unnecessary movements.
HPsquared 1y ago
It's more natural for your palms to be basically facing each other. That's how they are when you're just standing up. Also think of steering wheel, joystick on e.g. a crane, or control yokes on aircraft where people have to hold it for hours at a time and possibly apply force. Neutral grip is also a thing in resistance training, for instance neutral grip pull-ups are easier on the joints. It stands to reason the sideways mouse, and some kind of keyboard that allows the hands to lie in a more natural position, would be less stressful on the various small parts. You don't want to be constantly moving things far away from their natural position!

jchw 1y ago

Interestingly, vertical mice I've tried (yes plural) feel intensely uncomfortable and make my wrist hurt. I actually quite like to use a trackball, but I'm not sure that did much for me either. Best I've ever done is just use the mouse less I guess. Maybe I'll learn to use a pen tablet as my primary pointing device instead.

dawnofdusk 1y ago
Interesting! My personal experience is that using a vertical mouse very quickly cured wrist and forearm pain that I had, and that the reason is because the "handshake" position is the most neutral hand/forearm posture from an anatomical perspective. But everyone is different, of course
- jchw 1y ago
  I also agree that it doesn't feel like it makes any sense, hence trying it a few times. I never actually tried going to a medical professional to figure out why though, and thankfully it has not gotten worse (mostly better, with being more careful.)
red369 1y ago
I'm a big fan of using the mouse less. When I was having issues, I learned to use the mouse with my left hand. I got used to it enough to be nearly as fast, but I never liked it so it encouraged me to just use keyboard shortcuts. I thought I invented it, but I've since seen occupational health and safety websites recommend alternating. Here's a link to an Australian gov PDF: https://www.comcare.gov.au/about/forms-pubs/docs/pubs/safety/setting-up-your-workstation-factsheet.pdf https://www.comcare.gov.au/about/forms-pubs/docs/pubs/safety... I've seen it in NZ too. I think they suggested swapping the mouse buttons but I prefer to just leave them and do my left clicking with both fingers when using my left hand.
hattmall 1y ago
I use a trackball mouse and anything else feels very cumbersome. It's so much movement moving my entire hand. With the trackball I just flick it directionally with one finger and then catch it with the other finger.

Tarsul 1y ago

I use my standing desk to change the height for sitting here and there. I imagine it helps my wrists and shoulders.

porridgeraisin 1y ago
Yes. Instead of the endless search for the perfect static posture, just keep moving the various joints now and then. Adjust your elbow or wrist or the desk or the chair every now and then. This can make you look "unprofessionally" seated if you take it far enough so hopefully your workplace doesn't mind that. Even if you are moving between multiple so-called "bad" postures, you'll be much better off compared to just being static in a "good" posture for 4 hours.

orthoxerox 1y ago

When my old mouse died, I bought a vertical mouse and sold it after a week. I was just too cumbersome to use. When I use a mouse, I keep the forearm and the wrist static and move it mainly with the tips of my thumb and pinkie. This was impossible with a vertical mouse, which expects you to grab it with the whole hand. I found a regular mouse instead, but a decidedly asymmetrical one. This way my hand can stay in a less pronated position while still controlling the mouse the way I am used to.

mabster 1y ago

I wasn't getting RSI per se, more like my arms were fatigued after a day of development. I did the pricey split keyboard thing. One advantage there is that my vertical mouse sits between the keyboard halves which means I don't have to "reach around" to grip it which has saved a whole bunch of muscle movement.

arcanemachiner 1y ago
I do this but with a trackball. Works great.
sshine 1y ago
I got a split keyboard and for the first time in my life, my wrists are quite strained when I type. It might be a learning curve thing, but I wouldn’t go for a split keyboard for health reasons, just because they’re cool.

cph123 1y ago

I have been using a vertical mouse for a long time now, and it is very comfortable for me. But it does take some getting used to, when I watch others trying to use my computer they always struggle with it. Interestingly as well as being more comfortable to use, I find that it improves my pointing accuracy, feels like fewer unnecessary movements.

HPsquared 1y ago

It's more natural for your palms to be basically facing each other. That's how they are when you're just standing up. Also think of steering wheel, joystick on e.g. a crane, or control yokes on aircraft where people have to hold it for hours at a time and possibly apply force. Neutral grip is also a thing in resistance training, for instance neutral grip pull-ups are easier on the joints. It stands to reason the sideways mouse, and some kind of keyboard that allows the hands to lie in a more natural position, would be less stressful on the various small parts. You don't want to be constantly moving things far away from their natural position!