In a [2011 blog post](http://johnaugust.com/2011/the-only-ache-should-be-in-your-soul), John August offers this advice:
>1. __You need to check your setup.__ Feet on the floor, arms at a comfortable 90-or-so degrees. I strongly believe in arm rests, but different things work for different people. Your typing surface probably needs to be a lot lower than you think. My desk lowers to just two inches above my knees. Everyone has different opinions on chairs. I’ve found the expensive ones aren’t necessarily better. Try a bunch.
>2. __You need to change your keyboard.__ I use [this one](http://www.safetype.com/), which rightfully scares people, but I find works great. You may need to try a bunch of different ergonomic keyboards before you find one that works.
>3. __You need to take breaks.__ A lot of them. Walk around. You’ll actually get more done if you’re not staring at the screen the whole time.
>4. __Like crutches, gloves can help, but they’re not fixing the problem.__ These [Handeze support gloves](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009LI88/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=johnaugustcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B00009LI88) saved my life, but I’m happy not to need them now.
* [The only ache should be in your soul](http://johnaugust.com/2011/the-only-ache-should-be-in-your-soul “The only ache should be in your soul”)
* [Ergonomics for screenwriters](http://johnaugust.com/2004/ergonomics-for-the-screenwriter “Ergonomics for screenwriters”)
* [My daily writing routine](http://johnaugust.com/2011/my-daily-writing-routine “My daily writing routine”)
* [My new keyboard setup](http://johnaugust.com/2004/my-new-keyboard-setup “My new keyboard setup”)