Pain/Discomfort in Arms/Hands

[OldSchoolSmasher]

This may seem like a sort of ridiculous public service announcement, but I found out that I'm gonna have to take a break from gaming for 3-6 months while my arms heal from lateral epicondylitus. For all the non-med students, that's pain that runs from the top of my arm from the wrist to the elbow (sort of the cousin to carpal tunnel).

Well, it didn't help that I worked at a factory the last two summers, and I played video games in my free time without taking breaks or stretching.

I can safely say that I would not wish this on my worst enemy (after all, who wants to go half a year without playing Smash 64?!). So all, I'd appreciate it if you took breaks during gaming (every hour or so) to stretch your hands and arms -- just a little bit. You can easily look up some exercises online.

This may seem stupid, but really -- don't screw up your hands. That'd mean you can't play video games EVER without feeling pain.

So in the mean time, I'll dream that Kirby and I are spiking Pikachu off the side of Hyrule. Once I get back into it, I hope to start some online play so my dreams may become true!

Take care, gamers.

 

[Sephiroths Masamune]

sorry to hear that i really feel for you try to rest up and I bet 3-6 months will go by like that!

 

[Moon of the Strawberries]

Sorry to hear that dude, I really hope you get better.

But I know what you mean, a bit. I got carpal tunnel in September and had it untill about December. Even to this day certain things will cause extreme pain in my wrists, so i'm always on the lookout.

 

[_Phloat_]

I occasionally get shooting pains in my right wrist..

Is that related, or an early warning sign of some sorts?

(I know that this is very unspecific, but I don't have any more symptoms...)

 

[Moon of the Strawberries]

I occasionally get shooting pains in my right wrist..

Is that related, or an early warning sign of some sorts?

(I know that this is very unspecific, but I don't have any more symptoms...)

Carpal tunnel. Take alot of breaks and stop using your wrist so much. Let it rest for a few days.

 

[Mith_]

Wow that sucks dude. I'm sorry for how you feel. I hope you get better very soon so you can kick butt in Smash 64.

 

[ndayday]

Ah, that sucks.

I remember reading those manuals that came with games that told you to take 15 minute breaks every hour, otherwise you could get messed up wrists etc. The only time I've really experienced pain when playing a video game was when I was playing Metroid Prime 3, that one boss that requires you to shake the dumb Wiimote/Nunchuk to get her off of you began to kill my wrists after 30 minutes of fighting her. >__>

 

[GoldShadow]

I haven't gotten wrist pain from playing games for like 10 years now. I think my arms just got used to the movements that controllers demand.

Either way, taking breaks is always a good idea, and that goes quadruple if you're getting pains! If it hurts it's probably best to just stop playing for a day or two or ten until the pain goes away.

 

[DtJ Jungle]

Yeah lay off the games...it sucks but do something that stimulates other muscles while you break from games.