PS4 controllers, ergonomics and joint pain

i had problems during a few console games throughout about 20 to now (29) i had problems. especially when i was putting time aside to really put time into a few games playing a lot in just a couple days.

a few times it was so bad i couldn't even hold the controller and that i remember was during destiny. it wasn't ever really my knuckle or any knuckles though. usually it was always both left and right index fingers hurting bad, the thumbs themselves from the sticks and like the palm area near the thumb. i haven't had it for awhile but always just giving my hands a rest was the thing. sometimes like that one time in particular with destiny it took some time to go away. modern warfare games always killed my right thumb for running since you are constantly running.

with a mouse it isn't so bad, the keyboard hand would be the one to suffer if anything. nothing like holding a controller for hours on end in a shooter though

regardless of age, if you aren't doing it for very long and are having issues, it could be signs of something coming or signs of something you already have. this really should only be an issue with many hours and mostly consecutive as well. i don't even like playing much anymore unless i get up about every match or as soon as i finish something i'll get up and walk around. stare at something far away for about 15-20 seconds as well for the eyes.

i had problems during a few console games throughout about 20 to now (29). especially when i was putting time aside to really put time into a few games playing a lot in just a couple days.

a few times it was so bad i couldn't even hold the controller and that i remember was during destiny. it wasn't ever really my knuckle or any knuckles though. usually it was always both left and right index fingers hurting bad, the thumbs themselves from the sticks and like the palm area near the thumb. i haven't had it for awhile but always just giving my hands a rest was the thing. sometimes like that one time in particular with destiny it took some time to go away. modern warfare games always killed my right thumb for running since you are constantly running.

with a mouse it isn't so bad, the keyboard hand would be the one to suffer if anything. nothing like holding a controller for hours on end in a shooter though

regardless of age, if you aren't doing it for very long and are having issues, it could be signs of something coming or signs of something you already have. this really should only be an issue with many hours and mostly consecutive as well. i don't even like playing much anymore unless i get up about every match or as soon as i finish something i'll get up and walk around. stare at something far away for about 15-20 seconds as well for the eyes.

i had problems during a few console games throughout about 20 to now (29). especially when i was putting time aside to really put time into a few games playing a lot in just a couple days.

a few times it was so bad i couldn't even hold the controller and that i remember was during destiny. it wasn't ever really my knuckle or any knuckles though. usually it was always both left and right index fingers hurting bad, the thumbs themselves from the sticks and like the palm area near the thumb. i haven't had it for awhile but always just giving my hands a rest was the thing. sometimes like that one time in particular with destiny it took some time to go away. modern warfare games always killed my right thumb for running since you are constantly running.

with a mouse it isn't so bad, the keyboard hand would be the one to suffer if anything. nothing like holding a controller for hours on end in a shooter though

regardless of age, if you aren't doing it for very long and are having issues, it could be signs of something coming or signs of something you already have. this really should only be an issue with many hours and mostly consecutive as well. i don't even like playing much anymore unless i get up about every match or as soon as i finish something i'll get up and walk around. stare at something far away for about 15-20 seconds as well for the eyes. one other thing i always noticed many people doing is constantly holding the controller. if you are waiting in a lobby or waiting period just put the thing down and let the hands rest. no need holding onto it if you are doing nothing

I think the action causing the problem is bending the thumb down from the thumb stick to the right hand buttons.  I don't seem to carry a lot of tension in my hands, as I did when I first started playing.

@realitysquared you might be on to something.  I used to play automatic firing characters most of the time, but in the last couple months have shifted to mastering a series of peashooters and some other single shot characters.  But it doesn't feel like the stretch to the trigger is the problem, rather as I said, moving the thumb from the stick to the buttons.

Thanks all for your input, I'd be grateful for anything anyone else might add.  Fortunately, actually MOVING the thumb isn't involved in my work, only gripping (I work as a symphonic trombonist) the hand slide.  My right thumb remains static in these actions.  So I know that isn't adding to the stress on the joint.  I worry that if I let it get worse, then gripping might start to be affected as well.

I use Chinese healthy balls to workout my tendons and muscles three times a day.  This will improve your coordination, loosen up your joints, muscles & tendons and relieve pain.

If you think it is moving your thumb from stick to buttons, maybe get Scuf paddles for your controller and see if that helps.

Thanks guys.  This was a year and a half ago now.  Getting rid of the tall thumb stick and some time did the trick.  I don't think it was even moving from the stick to the buttons, but just the stretch involved in using the stick.  It's too bad as it felt like my aim had a bit finer control with the tall stick.

Scuf controllers don't seem to work very well with this game except for exploiting Z7 and law pea's fire rate.