Evie Summers
Many people find that they need pressure on their hands to sleep. However, this can lead to numbness in the hands and arms, which is caused by nerve compression. This can be exacerbated by sleeping positions that place the spine, joints, and soft tissues under compression, tension, or both. For example, sleeping on your stomach with your hands underneath your head, or on your side with your arms or wrists bent, can restrict blood flow to your hands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Nerve compression due to sleeping position |
| Symptoms | Numbness, pins and needles, swelling, tingling, pain |
| Treatment | Changing sleeping position |
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What You'll Learn
Nerve compression
The ulnar, radial, and median nerves all start at the neck and run down the arms and through the hands. Compression of these nerves can cause symptoms such as swelling, numbness, tingling, and pain.
Certain sleep positions can place the nerves in the wrists and elbows under compression or tension, which can irritate the nerves and cause these symptoms. For example, sleeping in the "fetal position" can compress the nerves in the wrists and elbows at the point where the arms and wrists bend.
If you are experiencing numbness in your hands while sleeping, changing your position is usually enough to relieve the symptoms. However, if you are experiencing numbness in your hands alongside other unusual symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare professional.
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Sleeping positions
If you sleep on your stomach with your hands underneath your head, on your side with your arms or wrists bent, or on your back with the back of your head resting on your arm, you may experience nerve pressure. This can cause numbness or a pins and needles sensation in your hands. The temporary lack of blood flow can cause these symptoms, which can be relieved by changing your position.
Additionally, sleeping positions can exacerbate certain conditions affecting the hands, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, arthritis, or tendonitis. These conditions can be aggravated by the compression or tension placed on the spine, joints, and soft tissues during sleep. For example, sleeping in the fetal position can compress the nerves in the wrists and elbows, leading to symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain.
To avoid these issues, it is important to be mindful of your sleeping position and make adjustments to ensure that pressure is relieved from your arms and hands. This may involve changing the position of your arms and wrists to avoid bending or placing them in a way that restricts blood flow.
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Carpal tunnel syndrome
Numbness in the hands while sleeping is likely caused by nerve compression due to your sleeping position. This can happen when you sleep on your arm or hand, or in a position that puts pressure on a nerve. The temporary lack of blood flow can cause numbness or pins and needles.
If you are experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome, it is important to adjust your sleeping position to one that does not put pressure on your arms or hands. Sleeping with your arms at your sides instead of above your head is recommended. Avoid folding your arms under your pillow while you sleep, as the weight of your head can put pressure on your wrists or elbows and compress a nerve.
If you have trouble keeping your elbows or wrists straight overnight, you could try wearing an immobilizing brace while you sleep. This will prevent your elbows or wrists from moving around and help to alleviate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Cubital tunnel syndrome
The syndrome is caused by compression of the ulnar nerve, which runs from the neck down the arm and through the hand. This compression can occur when sleeping in certain positions, such as on the stomach with the hands underneath the head, on the side with the arms or wrists bent, or on the back with the head resting on the arm. These positions can restrict blood flow to the hands and place the nerves under compression or tension, leading to irritation and aggravated symptoms.
To relieve the symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome, it is important to adjust your sleeping position to one that does not put pressure on the arms or hands. This may involve sleeping with your arms straight or using a pillow to support your head instead of your hands.
If you are experiencing numbness in your hands alongside other unusual symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Additionally, certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs and some antibiotics, can damage the peripheral nerves and contribute to numbness or tingling sensations.
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Arthritis
Pressure on the hands while sleeping can cause numbness and a pins and needles sensation. This is due to nerve compression, which can happen when the position of your arms puts extra pressure on a nerve. The ulnar, radial, or median nerves can be affected, and symptoms can include swelling, numbness, tingling, and pain.
To relieve symptoms of arthritis, it is important to adjust your sleeping position to one that does not put pressure on your arms or hands. Sleeping on your back with your arms at your sides is generally recommended as it helps to keep your spine, joints, and soft tissues in a neutral position. You may also find it helpful to use pillows to support your arms and hands, ensuring that they are not bent or twisted in a way that restricts blood flow.
In addition to adjusting your sleeping position, there are other strategies that can help manage arthritis symptoms. These include:
- Using a splint or brace to support and immobilize the affected joint
- Applying ice or heat to reduce inflammation and pain
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications
- Practicing gentle exercises or stretches to improve joint flexibility and range of motion
If you are experiencing persistent or severe symptoms of arthritis, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide guidance on managing your condition and recommend further treatments, such as physical therapy or medications, if needed.
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Frequently asked questions
You may not need pressure on your hands to sleep, but you may need to apply pressure to your hands to relieve symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, arthritis, or tendonitis.
Symptoms include swelling, numbness, tingling, and pain.
Applying pressure to your hands can help to relieve tension and compression in your spine, joints, and soft tissues, which can cause these symptoms.
Try wearing an immobilizing brace while you sleep to prevent your elbows or wrists from moving around and applying pressure to your hands.
Yes, try sleeping with your arms at your sides instead of above your head, as this can cause numbness by cutting off circulation to your hands.
