Does anyone else get numbness in their shoulders when they type?

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   seichepreyposted 13 years ago

   Does anyone else get numbness in their shoulders when they type?
   
   And if you do, do you know what is causing it and what can be done to stop it?

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   thejeffriestubeposted 13 years ago

   That is a sign of what is known as "keyboard elbow". Sort of like Tennis Elbow, but it affects the elbow and shoulder. You can get a small brace to isolate that muscle on your elbow for a few days, but look at the ergonomics of when you are on the computer. Specifically, how you sit, and where your elbows rest while typing.

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   Drew Youngposted 13 years ago

   I've never had it, but I can guess what's the problem. You probably don't notice it, but you might be keeping your shoulders up all the time, like shrugging them when you type, maybe because there's nothing to lay your elbows on (I don't get numb shoulders but sometimes my left shoulder hurts slightily and then I notice my left elbow was in the air the whole time). Do you have armrests in your computer chair to relax your arms when typing?

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   Cloverleafposted 13 years ago

   Yes, in fact I was thinking about writing a hub about this. 
   
   My job involves a lot of technical data entry so I am pretty well glued to my computer all day.  I started getting numbness and pain in my shoulder a year or so back and have gone through several different types of treatment for it: physio, accupuncture etc.
   
   I realized that treating it was getting me nowhere because I wasn't getting to the root of the problem.  So I got an ergonomic assessment done and now have a very different posture at my desk.  I don't slouch as much now that my chair is at the correct height for me and I use a footrest.  A lot of the pressure has been released from my shoulders.
   
   The other thing I find helps is stretching my arm across my body and pulling to release the muscles in my shoulder.  It is routine now and I do my stretching exercses every day.
   
   I hope this helps.

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   randomcreativeposted 13 years ago

   Nope.  I should get a mouse pad with more wrist support, though!

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   edhanposted 13 years ago

   Yes. I used to have it in the past.
   
   But now I have bought a nice ergonomic chair, it helps me to be the correct level for my computer table.
   
   I have a foot rest so that my feet is slight higher than my buttock for better blood circulation. My arm is now right angle to the keyboard and with a wrist-rest so that it is at a proper level.
   
   Now I am no longer suffer the numbness.

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   Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

   There was a time when I didn't realize it, but I was holding the "non-mouse" arm/shoulder kind of up (for some reason).  As someone else on here said, kind of shrugging - but just the one.  I developed a really nasty knot-type of thing that wasn't just numb, but painful.  (I've also gotten numb lower arm from mouse use and cell phone use).
   
   Anyway, with that long-term shoulder-pain thing I did two things.  First, I put my set of handweights (little ones ) on my computer desk, and started just kind of stretching my arms and shoulders between times when on the computer.  What I found really help, though, was to stretch the non-mouse arm and then hold it behind my back for as long as I could, any time I was typing.  It kind of feels like it stretches the area that would otherwise knot up or just be generally tensed.  I make it a habit to do a couple of other exercise-type things that make the shoulder/back area feel stretched.  In fact, basically, as long as I'm sitting at the computer, I'm pretty much always doing something to keep the shoulder muscles loosened up. It's just a habit now, and I'm not even really aware that I'm doing it.   (No more knots or numbness since I realized what was going on with that shoulder.)

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   tsmogposted 13 years ago

   Funny, last night I noticed the same thing or have noticed it more lately. My work day runs toward 12hrs sometimes sitting at a desk, shoveling paper, typing & mousing. Last night it was definitely aggravating me. I look forward to reading the answers to the great question.

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   lanealaneaposted 13 years ago

   I know that for me, there were times when my neck was really tight and I was not getting enough sleep. Everytime that I typed for too long I would get that pain and now I do not have it. I find that with any type of neck, back, nerve pains that you have if you can step back, swim or if try some type of strenthening exercises that it will return to normal. You probably already know now that if it hurts, try not to do it until the pain is gone. Too much time in any position can aggrivate your body. Hope this helps some. Try to get up and circulate a bit.

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      janmodricposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Pain in the shoulder related to long-term typing can be due to thoracic outlet syndrome, bad posture or herniated disc in the neck spine.

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    Matt Starkposted 13 years ago

    Addressing ergonomics and posture are vital.  Using a computer for hours can result in overuse injuries as well as nerve compression.
    
    Are you experiencing true numbness or just tingling?  Any loss of sensation in either arm or hand?  And weakness that you've noticed?
    
    If the symptoms persist, I would get evaluated by your physician.  Numbness on both sides may be a sign of something more serious.
    
    You can start by adjusting your workstation, focusing on your posture, and exercise and stretch regularly.  Take breaks throughout the day and experiment with diferent equipment at your desk.

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