[SwSwinger]

This is a different age, but I think the same principle applies. When I was 20, I started getting issues from excessive keyboard usage. It stayed for 5 years even though I cut down substantially & tried massages. I ended up rock climbing and my issues went away with larger muscles. I’m in my 40s now and still use the same approach: where can I build muscle and make the pain subside. It doesn’t take much muscle, normally 3-6 months of practice @ 2x/week. The results normally stick pretty long, even when I back off the practice.

[samuell]

I have experienced similar issues before, where a lot of discomfort etc vanish with more physical exercise. For me that would be mostly push ups, pull ups, daily bike commuting etc.

I increased that a lot a few years back when I started bike commuting my 9km route to the office, and haven't had much of such issues since then. (Cycling seems to add quite some static exercise for hands and underarms)

[logosmonkey]

Very interesting. I was going to make the same suggestion. Specifically bouldering since I think it's generally easier for folks to plug into their daily routines with the proliferation of gyms and not needing a significant amount of equipment. But three times per week bouldering has radically changed my body and hands for the better. I no longer have elbow or forearm/wrist pain that I used to experience quite frequently after typing for a long period.

[logosmonkey]

I also want to mention that I am in my 40s and had never climbed before I started about 5 months ago. I just signed up to take an intro to bouldering course at a local gym and went from there. Additionally climbing is a very technical sport that involves a lot of problem solving which I find very appealing. Being overweight or out of shape shouldn't stop you from giving it a try, you might stay climbing lower grade problems longer than others but you will still find challenging physical and mental puzzles that you can complete.

[graderjs]

Me too. I do chinups for this, no more pain.