Can video games damage your hands?

Gaming requires repetitive, strenuous motion on the hands and wrists. Sometimes this strain happens for hours on end. That increases your risk for a repetitive stress injury (RSI).

Does playing video games make your hands stronger?

Video games may do more than just entertain. A study from the University of Toronto finds that people who regularly play action video games, like Call of Duty or Assassin’s Creed, are better able to learn new sensorimotor tasks, improve hand-eye coordination, than people who do not play video games.

Why do my hands go numb when playing video games?

This narrowed tunnel pinches a nerve, causing a tingly feeling or numbness in a person’s hand, especially in the thumb and first three fingers. Someone with carpal tunnel syndrome may have trouble typing on the computer or playing a video game.

Can playing video games cause nerve damage?

Certain nerves are more prone to injury, and the movements required for video games can cause irritation of these nerves. Nerves such as the median nerve in the wrist, the ulnar nerve in the elbow, and the sciatic nerve in the gluteal region are at high risk for being irritated while playing video games.

Can gaming cause shaky hands?

Many gamers will take ~30 seconds, shake their hands out, and return to playing. Doug warns this is not enough. The prolonged sitting position causes stress on your tendons running all the way down to your hands.

Can playing video games cause trigger finger?

This inflammation can lead to pain due to the compression of nerves that send signals to and from the brain. When severe enough, this can lead to a variety of hand injuries—the most common in esports being carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinopathy, tennis elbow, and trigger finger, which are all caused by overuse.

How do pro gamers take care of their hands?

By taking small two- to five-minute breaks every one to two hours of play, you’ll allow your muscles and tendons to relax and recover. In addition, maintaining a good sitting posture will help your hand positioning and reduce stress on your muscles.

Are gamers more likely to get arthritis?

Although constantly used joints of the hand and wrist may be especially susceptible to Osteoarthritis or Inflammatory Arthritis, there is no conclusive evidence to date, that gaming or texting will actually lead to arthritis in later years.

Can playing video games cause tendonitis?

Tendonitis can also impact your hand from video game playing. Tendonitis arises with overuse, with the tissue that links the bone and muscle becoming inflamed. You may feel tenderness or an ache in your hand, and it could swell. Thumb joints are particularly vulnerable to injury when gaming.

Why do gamers have shaky hands?

It is likely just a reaction to the amount of time you use that hand to play those games. Holding a mouse is not necessarily the most conducive way to mold your hand and if you to it too much you can actually do damage to the nerves in your hand, wrist and fingers.

How long does a trigger finger last?

Full recovery may take a few weeks, but swelling and stiffness may linger for 6 months. If your finger was very stiff before surgery, your doctor will probably suggest physical therapy to teach you exercises to help loosen it.