Handwriting Hints for Healthy Hands

Be aware of your posture and sitting position when you write. Your body position affects the way you use your arm and hand.

Here are some hints to follow when writing:

  • Avoid leaning heavily on your forearm.
  • Keep your elbow positioned in an open angle (90 degrees or more). Wrist and hand strain increases the more your elbow bends.
  • Keep your fingers relaxed. Your knuckles should not be curled up or turn white when you write.
  • Reduce finger motions. Use your wrist and forearm to move the pen or pencil rather than your fingers.
  • Re-orient your writing paper or use an inclined surface to keep your wrist relaxed, especially for left-handed writing.
  • If writing hurts your thumb, try holding the pen in the web space between your index and middle fingers.
  • Handwrite rather than print. Large, cursive style writing causes less strain than printing small letters.
  • Select large diameter pens and pencils or use rubber grips to reduce gripping force.
  • Place Leaf-It-Finger dots or grips on fingers to increase friction. Tape or tubing can be applied to pens and pencils to increase surface friction.
  • Replace standard ballpoint pens with easy flow ink fountain pens, roller balls, and gel ink pens.
  • Write at a reasonable pace with frequent breaks.