Probably the stupidest problem ever posted...but it's driving me bonkers

[turkeyontheplate]

Does anyone else find, when sitting working at a table (writing) that their left arm gets bruised/sore/goes numb? What do you DO with your non-writing arm? I keep having to stop to massage it and am considering inventing some sort of strap-on pillow!

Do I just have a very sensitive arm?!

Gah, was hoping someone would have a magical tip for me!

Your chair is at the wrong height.

You can buy wrist/arm rests for this exact purpose, to prevent repetitive strain. Links below as examples

Adjustable arm rest

Wrist rest

I usually just have mine lying on the table lightly holding whatever I'm writing on. How is yours getting bruised?

Perhaps a stress ball or a fiddle toy would help?

Expletive, it is just lying on the desk, or on the edge of the paper I'm writing on..but within a couple of minutes it's numb, and painful where it's touching the desk! I think I'm leaning weight on it or something.

It might be worth asking someone to take a photo of you as you work then you could see how you are sitting, I spend a lot of time at work browsing a computer with a mouse and ended up removing the arms from my office chair as I was slumping heavily on my non-mouse arm.

If you are going numb and bruising that easily I think its worth seeing your gp before looking for other solutions.

I agree with PP your desk / table are not the right hight try putting something solid under your table legs if that doent work put something under your chair legs, it make take a few true to get it right.
Once you have found out which is comfy find a table/ chair that is that hight.

I’ve realised that I have literally no idea what my non-writing arm is doing while I’m working. (I mean, obviously it’s not off shopping or whatever without me...) It’s not numb or painful though, I’d have noticed.

I tend to sit with my other hand under my chin (I'm left handed), so right elbow on desk with chin resting on hand and left hand writing. Just a bad habit I guess.

Do you have fairly skinny/bony arms? It sounds like you are compressing the ulnar nerve that runs along the outside of your elbow and then down to your little finger. That can happen more easily if your arm is bent and you don't have much padding to protect it. Find a squishy pad and use it to hold your arm off the hard desk.

Definitely check posture

• www.posture.co.uk/help-advice/useful-resources/learning-guides/art-of-sitting

If you can't get an ideal posture in your current chair/desk set-up, you should adjust it using footrests, wrist pads and so on.

If it's your workplace, you can ask for a workstation assent, and any adjustments such as footrests) should be provided if required.
uk/msd/dse/assessment.htm

The posture bits are still relevant for writing as for typing.