Waking Up With Numb Hands: Causes and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sameena Zahoor, MD
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:
Hand
Wrist
Arm
Elbow
Specifically, certain sleeping positions are more likely to cause these issues:
Head resting on your forearm
Hands under your face or head
Torso placed on top of your arm
Using a pillow that misaligns the spine
Sleeping on your stomach, which may be associated with nerve compression
Some experts say that side sleeping may be less likely to cause hand numbness if wrists are kept straight.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is 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:
A tumor or cyst in the wrist
An underactive thyroid gland or other change in hormones, such as menopause or pregnancy
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:
Diabetes
Infections
Vitamin deficiency
Autoimmune disorders
Traumatic injuries
Certain medications that affect the ability of nerves to transmit signals to and from the brain
Injuries
Injuries or accidents can cause numbness in hands by damaging nerves, disrupting their ability to transmit signals properly between the hands and the brain. Though wrist injuries can trigger carpal tunnel syndrome, even injuries farther up, such as those that affect the neck, can impact nerve function in the hands. If you've had whiplash from a car accident or sustained an elbow injury from a fall, these incidents can cause nighttime hand numbness.
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:
Raynaud's disease
Pain That Doesn’t Go Away
Persistent hand pain that doesn't go away may indicate an underlying medical condition such as:
Carpal or cubital tunnel syndrome
Osteoarthritis
Tendinitis
Stenosing tenosynovitis (trigger finger)
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?
Waking up with hand numbness can be a common occurrence due to the temporary compression of nerves during sleep, such as when sleeping on the arm or in an awkward position. However, it could also be a sign of a more serious issue if the numbness is persistent, accompanied by other symptoms like weakness or tingling, or if it occurs frequently without an obvious cause.
Seek immediate medical attention by going to a hospital or calling 911 or your local emergency number if:
You experience weakness or an inability to move, coupled with numbness or tingling sensations.
Numbness or tingling follows a head, neck, or back injury.
You lose control of limb movement, bladder, or bowel function, or you're confused and/or briefly lose consciousness.
You exhibit slurred speech, vision changes, difficulty walking, or muscle weakness.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
Numbness or tingling occurs without an apparent cause.
You have neck, forearm, or finger pain.
You notice increased urination frequency.
Leg numbness or tingling worsens with walking.
You develop a rash.
You experience dizziness, muscle spasms, or other unusual symptoms.
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:
Rotate the wrist up, down, and from side to side.
Stretch your fingers far apart, relax them, and then stretch them again.
Stretch your thumb by gently pulling it back, holding it, and releasing it.
Specific stretches to try include:
Prayer stretch: Palms together, lower hands toward the waist, hold for 15 to 30 seconds, repeat two to four times.
Wrist flexor stretch: Extend the affected arm with the palm down, bend the wrist back with fingers up, hold for 15 to 30 seconds, and repeat two to four times. Repeat with palm up and fingers down.
Wrist extensor stretch: Extend the affected arm with fingers pointing down, bend the wrist gently until feeling a stretch, hold for 15 to 30 seconds, and repeat two to four times. Repeat with the other wrist.
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:
Nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG): These tests assess nerve function and detect abnormalities in nerve conduction or muscle activity.
Imaging studies: X-rays, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or computed tomography (CT) scans may be taken to visualize structures like bones, joints, nerves, and soft tissues to identify any abnormalities or sources of compression.
Blood tests: Blood tests can help detect underlying conditions such as diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, or infections that may contribute to hand numbness.
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:
Avoid sleeping on your hands or with your wrists bent at extreme angles because this may compress nerves and lead to numbness.
Use pillows to support your arms and wrists in a comfortable position while sleeping.
Perform gentle stretching and relaxation exercises for your hands and wrists before bedtime.
Try sleeping in a different position or on your side.
Try wearing a wrist brace to bed.
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.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
