Writing by hand when you have RSI can be an awkward, painful task, but it\u2019s often preferable to using a keyboard. Here are some tips to make it a bit easier.<\/p>\n
Cheap and tacky pens are everywhere. Avoid them. Choose a pen that writes easily \u2013 try the Artline \u201cErgoLine\u201d it has a nice thick grip, and requires very little pressure, as does the Uniball \u201cMicro Deluxe\u201d. Most fountain pens are like this too. Pens with gel ink are generally easy to write with, and it is best to avoid ballpoints. Pen grips, available from newsagents and stationers, are cheap and ease the strain required to hold the pen (though you may need help putting them on the pen in the first place). Another trick is to wrap Bradflex, a type of plumbing material available from hardware stores, around the pen.<\/p>\n
A quick alternative is to wrap a bubble-wrap around the pen and secure it with tape or a rubber band.<\/p>\n
A slope-board angled at about 10 degrees makes writing much easier, as it minimises neck strain.<\/p>\n
One form of RSI, focal dystonia, otherwise known as writer\u2019s cramp, is caused by misfired signals in the brain that make your hand involuntarily cramp. It makes writing painful and jerky.<\/p>\n
One way to manage the problem is to write using your shoulder joint, rather than your wrist and fingers. Grip the pen lightly, and move your whole arm to create the letters. Write large letters and use large pads of paper. This requires less fine-motor control.<\/p>\n
This grip reduces the tension in the thumb and balances the use of tendons crossing the wrist and small muscles in the hand.<\/p>\n
With this grip you hold the pen between the index and middle finger. Mastering this grip requires lots of patience and practice: Bring the tips of the thumb, index, and middle finger together in the most extended position. Now gently insert a pen, separating those fingertips (it is unlikely this is your normal pen grip).<\/p>\n
Dr Hunter Fry says that most of us use more force than necessary when writing. He offers this experiment:<\/p>\n
Holding the pen as described above and as lightly as possible, write two or three words slowly on a piece of paper. This will demonstrate how really little muscular effort is required to move the pen. Retain that memory and then compare your muscular effort after writing half a page in your normal way as fast as possible.<\/p>\n
Dr Fry\u2019s rough calculation indicated that many writers would use perhaps 100 times the muscle power actually needed.<\/p>\n
A quirk of modern society is its excess of information. Try to restrict yourself to only noting down important information.<\/p>\n
For example, if you\u2019re a student, only write down the relevant points in lectures. Remember that they are supposed to be listened to. You don\u2019t need a record of every word that\u2019s said. If you restrict yourself to only writing down the important points, not only will you save your hand from unnecessary activity, you\u2019ll also develop important listening and memory skills, and probably enjoy the lectures more.<\/p>\n
Even if you can write for prolonged periods, it\u2019s going to get painful eventually. Of course, when it is painful the best thing to do is avoid it.<\/p>\n
| Activity<\/th>\n | Old way<\/th>\n | Suggestions<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing letters and cards<\/td>\n | Pen and paper<\/td>\n | \n
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