Do you play first-person shooters long into the night? Have your playing ways caused extreme pain in the thumb region? Well, then the American Physical Therapy Association is here for you! That's right, the APTA has released their own guidelines on how you, yes you, can prevent the dreaded gamer's thumb. Here's a few of their helpful tips to make your gaming last well beyond your retirement years:
• Keep wrists straight; do not let them bend downward when holding a game controller.
• Practice good posture while playing. Sit in a chair that provides solid back support with feet comfortably on the floor.
• Stretch and move. Remember to stretch and get up and move every 20 minutes for so to give head, neck, and shoulder muscles a break.
• Watch for problems. Look for warning signs such as headaches, fatigue, muscle pain or cramping and suggest a break or alternate activity.
Not sure if you have gamer's thumb? Well the APTA has the diagnosis:
"Video Gamer’s Thumb" refers to a repetitive stress injury (RSI) that causes swelling at the base of the thumb due to overuse of video games. RSI is an umbrella term for a collection of disorders most commonly affecting the hands, wrists, forearms, and shoulders, notes Miles. She adds that symptoms can range from fatigue and loss of strength to minor or acute aches and pains, burning, and tingling.
Act now, lawyers are standing by. While you wait, do you have any helpful hints for your fellow Destructoid gamer on how to prevent this horrible epidemic?
Contest:
12:16 PM on 12.20.2006
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QFT.
its just in as much pain as the thumb.
Sorry, I'll show myself out.
every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break and stare at something 20 feet away. That's supposed to prevent eyestrain, and it works. Especially useful when you're playing dead rising on a standard tv.
Actually, after a few hours of straight Elebits, I get the Wii Hand Cripple. Anyone else get this yet?
I've also experienced some Nintennis elbow after a lengthy round of wii sports.
RSI = bad.
The worst part was the button mashing.... after enough sessions of Techmo Super Bowl, I started to develop calluses on my thumbs, from all the repetitive wear and tear....o the pain!
Thats what comes to mind when i hear the term gamer's thumb
I didn't get a crippled hand, more like a crippled arm. Though this was on Wii Sports + Zelda.
Then I booted up Budokai - holy pain. There is no cure for the pain you experience after a few hours of MASHING THE EVER-LOVING SHIT out of the A button. Tenkaiachi 2 will give you gamer's thumb on a wii, as I am here to attest.
Alien - also sympathize with you on the HCB statement from KOF.