To answer the question what does it mean if my arm goes numb at night, we must first understand what exactly is numb. Is it the entire arm or just the hand? Are you sleeping on your side or another position? Understanding these questions will help to better answer the primary question.
To begin with, for someone who is a side sleeper with the down arm tucked under pillow overhead- the numbness may just be a compression of nerves running from the neck to the arm. And often that numbness will go away quickly when turning to a different position. This issue is really nothing to worry about.
Again for the side sleeper but the top arm goes numb. In this instance, it is common for that top arm to drop in front of the both thus creating a compression of the system on the top side. For this individual, looking to place a pillow between your arm and body can help open up this space in the shoulder and reduce the occurrence of the numbness.
In both these cases there is nothing serious going on and a simple position change in bed will often times solve the issue.
Next, for the individual who finds themselves waking with hand numbness. This situation could be an indicator of something else. To better understand: does one find themselves waking with their wrists curled up? If so, the person could be compressing the nerves running into the hand. If so, and the person finds that shaking their hands helps to relieve the numbness, they very likely are experiencing some compression of the “Carpal Tunnel”.
The 1st line of defense is to attempt to position self to sleep without the curled wrists. If that does not work, there are options for night splints that can keep the wrists from curling up and thus prevent the likelihood of onset of numbness.
Should none of these suggestions work, the next step would be to get an examination to see what is likely going on. A good place to start is with a physical therapist who can determine what can be done from a conservative route. Should that option not work- a person can always then be evaluated by a physician to determine if any more significant intervention is necessary.
Does this sound like someone you know? If so, click on the following LINK to request a phone consultation to see what option may be best for you…to no longer wake with arm or hand numbness.