Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) are the most common type of injury for gamers. According to Matt Hwu of 1HP, 90% of the time, the pain you are feeling from gaming is due to repetitive strain or overuse. PC gamers commonly suffer from wrist RSI while console gamers face thumb RSI.
To combat both wrist and thumb RSI, focus on doing wrist, hand, and forearm compression techniques using the Gelliflex® Abacus®.
Hand Compression Movements
Slide your hand forward and back between the ball assemblies, experiencing the gentle to moderate sustained compression. Explore varying your hand position, with slight shifts toward each side of the frame. Keep your fingers and thumb straight, wrist neutral.
Add hand motions by slowly sliding your hand over one gel-ball (two gel-balls at back of hand) and gently grasp, then open your hand and slide backward.
Watch the video on how to do so.
Wrist Compression Movements
Slowly slide your wrist forward and back between the ball assemblies, experiencing gentle and sustained compression. Explore varying your wrist position, turning your palm down and up, in and out. Keep your fingers straight and wrist neutral.
Add wrist motions to maintain gentle compression and slowly bend your wrist forward and backward over one or two gel-balls. If comfortable, gently move your wrist side-to-side.
Watch the video on how to do so.
Forearm Compression Movements
For forearm movements between balls, slowly slide your forearm forward and back between the ball assemblies, experiencing gentle to moderate sustained compression. Explore varying your forearm position, turning your palm down and up, in and out. Keep your wrist neutral.
For movements with the balls on the end, with a gentle to moderate pressure, compress one or two gel-balls into your forearm. Vary your forearm positions, with wrist neutral.
Add wrist motions by maintaining gentle to moderate forearm compression, and slowly bend your wrist forward and backward, keeping fingers long.
Watch the video on how to do so.
These movements and techniques help release tension, improve hydration, mobility of muscles and fascia, and increase upper arm movement and function. Continue to stay competitive with these restorative movements.
Discover other movements and their benefits in the Abacus® Handbook (pdf).