What causes numbness in the hands during sleep?
Sep 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, hand numbness during sleep may be caused by improper sleeping posture, prolonged pressure on the arm, carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spondylosis, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, or other similar causes. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to determine the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, one should avoid prolonged periods of bending the head forward or working at a desk, and should regularly exercise the neck, shoulders, and arms to relieve muscle tension.
Generally, hand numbness during sleep may be caused by improper sleeping posture, prolonged pressure on the arm, carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spondylosis, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, or other similar conditions. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment under a physician's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Improper sleeping posture: Prolonged pressure on the arm during sleep can obstruct local blood circulation, leading to insufficient blood supply to the hand and resulting in numbness. Adjusting sleeping posture, avoiding prone or prolonged lateral positions that compress the arm, and opting for supine or alternating lateral positions may help. Placing the arms naturally at the sides of the body before sleep can also reduce pressure.
2. Prolonged pressure on the arm: Unconscious movements during sleep can cause the arm to be compressed for extended periods by the body or pillow, leading to pressure on nerves and blood vessels and resulting in numbness. Promptly moving the arm upon waking, shaking it gently, or massaging it can promote blood circulation, usually relieving the numbness within a few minutes.
3. Carpal tunnel syndrome: Overuse or strain of the wrist increases pressure within the carpal tunnel, compressing the median nerve. Fixed wrist posture during sleep exacerbates this compression, causing hand numbness. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as mecobalamin tablets, vitamin B1 tablets, and ibuprofen sustained-release capsules to nourish nerves and alleviate pain.
4. Cervical spondylosis: Herniated cervical discs or bone spurs can compress nerve roots. Poor cervical posture during sleep worsens this compression, causing radiating numbness in the arm. Patients may follow medical guidance to use medications such as Jingfukang granules, celecoxib capsules, and eperisone hydrochloride tablets to alleviate symptoms.
5. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Poor long-term glycemic control damages peripheral nerves, causing sensory abnormalities in the hands, with symptoms becoming more pronounced during sleep. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications such as insulin injection, glimepiride tablets, and metformin tablets to control blood sugar levels.
In daily life, it is important to avoid prolonged periods of neck flexion or working at a desk, and to periodically exercise the neck, shoulders, and arms to relieve muscle tension. Controlling sugar intake, regularly monitoring blood glucose levels, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce the frequency of hand numbness episodes.
