Doctors Warn Bent-Arm Sleep Can Cause Months of Nerve Damage

6 articles · Updated · HuffPost · May 30

Nightly numbness, tingling or a “dead arm” on waking can signal nerve compression from sleeping with elbows bent and arms tucked to the chest, doctors said, warning repeated pressure over weeks or months can cause lasting damage.
Bent elbows and wrists narrow the spaces where nerves pass, reducing blood flow and irritating nerves in ways that can resemble carpal tunnel syndrome while also straining shoulders and causing stiffness.
Warning signs that merit medical attention include numbness that lingers after waking, daytime weakness, shooting arm pain, grip trouble and dropping objects more often; doctors said early conservative treatment usually works.
Stress, chronic pain, poor sleep and trauma can push the body into the curled posture subconsciously, as the nervous system adopts positions that feel protective during sleep.
Doctors suggested physical barriers rather than willpower: a towel loosely wrapped around the elbow, a wrist brace, a pillow between the arms and chest, or a body pillow to keep arms more neutral.

Is your morning 'dead arm' a harmless habit or a warning sign of nerve damage?

Could your brain's hidden stress be forcing your body into the 'T. rex' sleep pose?