Best Keyboard for RSI

Submitted by Zukk07 t3_zsc9wn in MechanicalKeyboards

Hey guys, I am 30 years old have been playing StarCraft since I was 13. I have also been working in tech since I graduated university. Coupled with the fact that I don’t exercise and have poor posture, I have done a number on myself.

I’ve been having forearm, wrist, and hand tightness / pain. Doctors diagnosed with RSI and told me to correct posture, so yoga and start exercising daily.

I need advice on a keyboard, either standard or low profile? I am not sure what is better but I assume low profile keyboard?

In terms of key caps and switches, not sure if low-profile flatter keys are better or not?

Are low profile mechanical keyboards the best for work/gaming?

I was using black and blue mechanical switches for the longest time and can no longer use those because of high acuation force . I feel cherry red switches are best based on my research but I really don’t know.

If you guys could point me in the right direction and provide some links, that would be so helpful! Thank you!

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pedrorq t1_j180aa0 wrote

That's the right question for r/ergomechkeyboards

9

dovenyi t1_j18war2 wrote

There are hundreds of split keyboards, hundreds of switches and there's an endless number of alternative logical layouts (other than qwerty). Try to observe yourself when typing and identify the cause of your symptoms. A new keyboard won't help you without a known issue to address. E.g. splits alleviate ulnar deviation. Low profile may alleviate wrist extension. Tenting helps with forearm pronation. But you may simply need a better layout, move a frequent key combo to another finger, higher chair, arm rest. So again: observe yourself before impulse buying anything.

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Zukk07 OP t1_j19q708 wrote

>Hey guys, I am 30 years old have been playing StarCraft since I was 13. I have also been working in tech since I graduated university. Coupled with the fact that I don’t exercise and have poor posture, I have done a number on myself.
>
>I’ve been having forearm, wrist, and hand tightness / pain. Doctors diagnosed with RSI and told me to correct posture, so yoga and start exercising daily.
>
>I need advice on a keyboard, either standard or low profile? I am not sure what is better but I assume low profile keyboard?
>
>In terms of key caps and switches, not sure if low-profile flatter keys are better or not?
>
>Are low profile mechanical keyboards the best for work/gaming?
>
>I was using black and blue mechanical switches for the longest time and can no longer use those because of high acuation force . I feel cherry red switches are best based on my research but I really don’t know.
>
>If you guys could point me in the right direction and provide some links, that would be so helpful! Thank you!

thanks man, such good advice, will 100% do that

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NoOne-NBA- t1_j1auywv wrote

The answers to this will vary heavily, depending on the individual involved.

A lot of people prefer low profile over high, but a good number, like myself, find low profile keyboards to be less comfortable than higher profiles.
Likewise, there are people who swear by wrist rests, and those who find them to cause more issues than they fix.
There are people who love their tented/split/cupped ergos, and others who find those less comfortable as well.

As far as your switch choices go, Gateron Whites have an even lighter spring in them than Reds do, and are still linear, if that is what you're after.
Those are my switch of choice for gaming, for that reason.
That being said, I also use the springs from them to lighten up other switches which aren't linear, like Zeal Zilents, and Gateron Aliaz Silents, which would normally be in the same range as the Blacks you have used.

Having worked as a graphic designer/typesetter for the last 30+ years, as well as being a heavy gamer for going on 50 years now, I believe the reason I don't have any issues at this point is due to a conscious effort on my part to keep my arms supported, and my wrists as straight as possible at all times.
That choice has limited my experiences with RMI to those involving co-workers and friends.

What those experiences have taught me is that you are in for a fight here, and it's not going to be a pleasant one.
Fixing this problem is a very long road, at best.
I hate to say it, but fixing the problem is much harder than avoiding the problem in the first place.

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Zukk07 OP t1_j1avqlz wrote

Wow. Very interesting. It’s amazing you don’t have any issues, wish I had that Foresight.

I went with the Dygma Raise and Cherry MX red switches. I went with high profile like you’re saying.

Looks like closest one to the gatreon whites are the Kalih speed silver. I was worried about going with those because it may be too light and quick to bottom out without feedback while gaming. (I’ve even using reds for the past year ) but maybe I should contact support and change them to the speed silvers if it will help with fatigue.

What do you think?

https://preview.redd.it/qkwwqd1pok7a1.jpeg?width=1185&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d4475216921ecc4696537cc121a379ea7f46182a

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NoOne-NBA- t1_j1b1r12 wrote

The springs on the Speed Silvers and Reds are nearly identical, from my experience.
The difference is the leaves in the switches, which actuate earlier on the Speed Silvers.

I would personally go with the Silent Pinks myself, but I prefer the lightest springs available.
The Silent Pinks are nearly identical to the Gateron Whites, in terms of spring weight, actuation distance and linearity.

That being said, a lot of people don't like having the lighter springs for the reasons you mention.
I actually find myself having the opposite problem, where heavier springs cause me to miss characters.
Quite often I push the buttons as hard as I think I should have to, then back off, without actuating the switches.

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1

CorrodedRose t1_j1bcbf6 wrote

Hey man I just wanted to recommend you this video https://youtu.be/Big80AStHSU

I am only 21 but I got into ergo boards after having some wrist strain during a data entry job. I thought this video explained somethings and highlights the problems and solutions that come with RSI.

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Zukk07 OP t1_j1bcsto wrote

Thanks so much bro, will watch this tonight when i get home. I hope your wrists are feeling better!

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CorrodedRose t1_j1bczcb wrote

Thanks, you too. Luckily my biggest pain was ulnar deviation so an Alice is ergo enough for me (but I still have a few split keyboards).

Good luck on your ergo journey.

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Zukk07 OP t1_j1bh6ov wrote

Oh nice, good you caught that early. And thanks man, you too! Wish you the best!

1