What should I do if my hands hurt while typing?

Q

What should I do if my hands hurt while typing?

Detailed Answer

Stop immediately. Pain is a warning sign of repetitive strain injury (RSI) or carpal tunnel syndrome. Rest for 24-48 hours. Apply ice if swollen. Then check: 1) Wrist posture – must be straight, not bent up. 2) Keyboard tilt – should be negative (front lower) or flat. 3) Use a padded wrist rest for breaks only, not while typing. 4) Switch to a low-force keyboard (Cherry MX Red or Topre). 5) Take a 5-minute break every 30 minutes. 6) Do stretching exercises. If pain persists, see a doctor. Do not 'power through' – that can cause permanent damage requiring surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is touch typing?

Touch typing is the ability to type without looking at the keyboard. You rely on muscle memory – each finger has assigned keys, starting from the home row (ASDF for left hand, JKL;...

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How do I learn touch typing from scratch?

Step 1: Learn home row keys (ASDF JKL;) without looking. Place left hand on A S D F, right hand on J K L ;. Step 2: Practice top row (QWERTYUIOP) and bottom row (ZXCVBNM) using cor...

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