Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWhen Is It Serious?ExercisesDiagnosisTreatment OptionsPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
When Is It Serious?
Exercises
Diagnosis
Treatment Options
Prevention
Have you ever woken up to find that one of your hands is “asleep”? Though you can often attribute this to temporary nerve compression, more serious health issues may be the cause.
This article explores how to recognize these symptoms, get a proper diagnosis, and explore potential treatment options.
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Causes of Numb Hands Upon Waking
If you wake up with numbness or a “pins and needles” sensation in your hands, your body is sending you a message. Understanding the causes of numb hands upon waking can help identify potential issues and help you choose a treatment.
Sleeping in an Awkward Position That Compresses Nerves
Sleeping positions play a significant role in causing nerve compression or reduced blood flow, leading to hand numbness and tingling sensations. This is often due to pressure or misalignment during sleep in occur in areas such as the:
Specifically, certain sleeping positions are more likely to cause these issues:
Some experts say that side sleeping may be less likely to cause hand numbness if wrists are kept straight.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndromeis when a nerve in the wrist becomes compressed or squeezed. This compression can lead to numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and fingers, particularly in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring fingers.
The exact cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is often related to repetitive motions (such as typing or using tools) that put pressure on the median nerve over time. Other health conditions that may cause carpal tunnel syndrome include:
Some people with carpal tunnel syndrome find that their symptoms get worse at night and feel better after shaking their hands.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy refers to nerve damage or dysfunction. This condition can lead to numbness, tingling, and pain, usually in the hands and feet.It can occur due to various causes, including:
Injuries
Lack of Blood Supply
During sleep, particularly in certain positions, prolonged pressure on blood vessels can restrict blood flow to the hands. This reduced blood supply deprives the nerves of oxygen and nutrients, leading to numbness and tingling sensations in the hands. Adjusting sleeping positions or using supportive devices can help alleviate this issue.
Other conditions that reduce blood flow to the hands and cause hand numbness include:
Pain That Doesn’t Go Away
Persistent hand pain that doesn’t go away may indicate an underlying medical condition such as:
It’s important to seek medical evaluation to determine the cause of the pain and receive appropriate treatment to prevent further discomfort or complications.
When Could Waking Up With Hand Numbness Be Serious?
Contact your healthcare provider if:
Exercises to Relieve Morning Hand Numbness
It’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if exercises are the appropriate treatment for your morning hand numbness. They can assess the underlying cause of your symptoms and recommend the most effective interventions, including exercises tailored to your specific condition.
Here are some examples of hand exercises that can treat carpal tunnel:
Warm-up stretches to try include:
Specific stretches to try include:
If any exercise causes discomfort or pain, stop immediately and consult with a healthcare provider.
How to Get Hand Numbness Diagnosed
Getting hand numbness diagnosed requires that you meet with your healthcare provider and typically involves the following steps:
Medical History
Provide your healthcare provider with a detailed medical history, including any previous injuries, chronic conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors that may contribute to hand numbness.
Physical Examination
Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination, focusing on the hands, wrists, arms, and neck to assess for signs of nerve compression, muscle weakness, or other related issues.
Neurological Examination
A neurological examination may be performed to evaluate sensation, reflexes, muscle strength, and coordination in the hands and arms, helping to identify potential nerve damage or dysfunction.
Diagnostic Tests
Depending on the suspected cause of hand numbness, your healthcare provider may recommend diagnostic tests such as:
Based on the evaluation and diagnostic test findings, your healthcare provider will discuss the results with you, provide a diagnosis, and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Treatment Options for Numb Hands
Treatment options for numb hands depend on the underlying cause. It’s important to consult with your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan tailored to your specific condition and symptoms.
Depending on the cause, here are some common treatment approaches for numb hands:
Adjusting Sleeping Positions
If numbness occurs during sleep, changing sleeping positions or using pillows to support the arms and wrists can relieve pressure on nerves and improve circulation.
Medications
Pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or medications to address underlying conditions such as arthritis or nerve inflammation may be prescribed.
Splints or Braces
Wearing splints or braces at night can help keep the wrists in a neutral position, reducing pressure on nerves and alleviating numbness. Splints are often worn at night for conditions such as carpal tunnel.
Corticosteroid Injections
In cases of nerve compression or inflammation, corticosteroid injections into your wrists may be recommended to reduce swelling and relieve pressure on nerves.
Surgery
In severe cases of nerve compression, such as in carpal tunnel syndrome, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the affected nerve and restore sensation to the hands.
Before Sleep: What Minimizes Hand Numbness
To minimize hand numbness before sleep, consider the following strategies:
If hand numbness persists or worsens, consult with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance.
Summary
Waking up with numb hands can be a common occurrence due to factors like temporary nerve compression during sleep or underlying conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or peripheral neuropathy. Though specific exercises and lifestyle adjustments can help alleviate symptoms, consulting with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan is crucial.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sleep Foundation.Numbness in hands while sleeping: causes and remedies.MedlinePlus.Carpal tunnel syndrome.MedlinePlus.Peripheral neuropathy.Nationwide Children’s.Frostbite.Arthritis Foundation.Raynaud’s disease.Harvard Health Publishing.Best ways to cope with hand pain.MedlinePlus.Numbness and tingling.Kaiser Permanente.Carpal tunnel syndrome: exercises.The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Neurological evaluations.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sleep Foundation.Numbness in hands while sleeping: causes and remedies.MedlinePlus.Carpal tunnel syndrome.MedlinePlus.Peripheral neuropathy.Nationwide Children’s.Frostbite.Arthritis Foundation.Raynaud’s disease.Harvard Health Publishing.Best ways to cope with hand pain.MedlinePlus.Numbness and tingling.Kaiser Permanente.Carpal tunnel syndrome: exercises.The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Neurological evaluations.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sleep Foundation.Numbness in hands while sleeping: causes and remedies.MedlinePlus.Carpal tunnel syndrome.MedlinePlus.Peripheral neuropathy.Nationwide Children’s.Frostbite.Arthritis Foundation.Raynaud’s disease.Harvard Health Publishing.Best ways to cope with hand pain.MedlinePlus.Numbness and tingling.Kaiser Permanente.Carpal tunnel syndrome: exercises.The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Neurological evaluations.
Sleep Foundation.Numbness in hands while sleeping: causes and remedies.
MedlinePlus.Carpal tunnel syndrome.
MedlinePlus.Peripheral neuropathy.
Nationwide Children’s.Frostbite.
Arthritis Foundation.Raynaud’s disease.
Harvard Health Publishing.Best ways to cope with hand pain.
MedlinePlus.Numbness and tingling.
Kaiser Permanente.Carpal tunnel syndrome: exercises.
The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Neurological evaluations.
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