With the “Xbox Extended Feature Support” option selected, you actually can map individual keys to paddles within steam. The problem is Steam Input/BigPicture has been incredibly unreliable for me within the past few months. I’m just glad I can make changes using the first-party software now.
Edit - saw your edit. Changed the post title to make it a little more clear
You get used to it after a couple uses - as in knowing where to position and how much knob to use. It’s always uncomfortable if you aren’t used to it.