Gaming with RSI
Growing up on computers has given me many things. An unyielding desire for information. A need to know how things work. A love for figuring how else I can make it work once it does. A career. A passion. It’s also given me horrible eyesight. And carpal tunnel at 26.
I’m in my third week of (mostly) twelve hour days at work. Although I have a good keyboard, and my awesome vertical mouse, my carpal tunnel is flaring up. Half of my hand is tingly/numb and my wrist is stabby.
When I get home from these long days, all I want to do is game. But here’s the problem, gaming is a trigger too. The PS3 controller is the worst (for me anyway) at either triggering, prolonging, or worsening a flare up. I tried to buy a different controller, the DreamGear Shadow ($30 on Amazon), with a more Xbox style configuration. But the narrow grips and small size just made it less bad – not better. I ended up purchasing Deus Ex: Human Revolution a second time just so I could play more than an hour at a time without pain.
I bought the DreamGear controller because it seemed like it was either that, or the $99.99 MadCatz MLG controller. And for something I wasn’t sure was going to solve my problem, $100 seemed like a lot to spend. I tried some Googling and couldn’t find any help for gamers with RSI or carpal tunnel (to be fair, I don’t know the difference between the two. My doctor diagnosed me with the latter). Other than “take breaks” and “stretch” that is. There are a few hardware options for PC gamers, but I couldn’t find anything for console gamers.
I can’t be the only one who runs into this problem. I wonder if companies have researched ergonomic controllers and what we’ve got is as good as it can be. Or if this is just an ignored market. So readers, have any of you ran into this? Have you found a controller that helps?
I’m looking into getting something and managed to find someone who long-termed reviewed it. Here’s a link: http://www.sitsam.com/news/xbox360-news/follow-up-with-xtendplay-and-tbyb/
I’ve been trying to find something to deal with my developing carpal tunnel. I’m training to become a sign language interpreter, so I can’t afford to develop it before I even start. And my fibro won’t appreciate it either. I didn’t find any ergonomic controllers, but I did find the wrist rests for controllers. Someone did a long-term review that I found the other day; here’s the link: http://www.sitsam.com/news/xbox360-news/follow-up-with-xtendplay-and-tbyb/
Hope that helps! 🙂
Thanks for the tip! Either this week or next week I’ll have a review for a product I tried alleviate my symptoms.
Actually, scratch that, the review will be up tonight!
GET BALLS…and rubber bands! For less pain PlayStation Control
Try any you can find around the house. Hard but some give or soft foam type.
Experiment with size from 2 to 4″ diameter.
Also try different ones, of any type…
Solid, foam or air filled.
And rubber band to handles, wide ones work best.
Heavy duty 1/4″wide bands seem to work best.
Attach to each handle with multiple bands.
Even some over ledge above L1 and R1 and stretch around balls.
Use as many bands til secure.
Adjust to your liking.
WILL STOP “SPOCK FINGER” PAIN.
Ring and pinky fingers can’t wrap around control handle and stay in relaxed position.
Control will sit in your lap or on desk.
WIIL HELP WITH MANY HAND PAIN SYMPTOMS!
Now that thumb joint…
That’s super helpful and interesting, thanks!