Are The Chat Rooms Causing My Nerves To Tingle?

Posting Date: 04/04/2000

Sam: I've been addicted to computer chat rooms for the past year. I prop my left elbow on the table when I type and now I have tingling around my left pinky and ring finger.

Will changing my position with my typewriter help? I now have it sitting on a little beanbag table on my lap.

Visit the Computer-Related Disorders Center

Dr. Dean: You get an A in orthopedics for the day, but Sam, you failed technology. I remember typewriters too, but those days are gone. What you have now is a keyboard.

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The position you used in the past was probably compressing the ulnar nerve as it passes across your elbow.

Just sitting in a chair in a certain position, or even lying in bed with our elbows pressed flat can put pressure on the ulnar nerve and cause the pinky and the pinky side of the ring finger to tingle. Nerves flow through us like rivers. Following the flow tells us which nerve is in trouble.

If the new keyboard arrangement has truly taken pressure off and if you haven't already done too much damage, the change in position will make the tingling subside. You want to support the forearm itself, and not press against your elbow. There are fancy ergonomic chairs that hold your arms in the right position as long as you don't press your elbow against the chair.

If you have a permanent injury, you'll need to see an orthopedist who can diagnose and treat nerve damage.