Arms falling asleep

JeremyBWilliamsSr

Hello, I have been lifting really heavy lately, trying to increase size. As of late, anytime that I lay down to sleep, my arms have bank falling asleep. It is impossible to lay on my side because they fall asleep within seconds. Anyone else have this issue and a possible remedy?

serindipte

Personally, my first stop would be a chiropractor for that issue. Second would be an MD if that didn't correct it.

rose2_0

Following. I can't "lean" on my side in bed(chilling/watching netflix and reading) for very long anymore without my arm falling asleep. It was never a problem until about a year ago. I've sustained back injuries since then and am a heavy lifter. I've been curious about it as well.

jshaw2025

I would see a physical therapist. Sounds like possible nerve compression. A PT can help evaluate your movements and see if there are any corrections you can make to your current lifts, or add some accessory exercises to get everything in good working order.

jseams1234

I’ve had this issue since I got back into lifting. I just sleep on my back... took a while to get used to it. Something to do with the extra swelling and nerve compression. It’s pretty common with bodybuilders.

jshaw2025

You could also check out nerve glide exercises and do what is tolerable. Important not to overdo them though.

100_PROOF_

I have this issue. Doctor said it's nerve damage.

jshaw2025

There are usually specific things you can do to help. Scap retractions, scap depression, pec stretch, etc.

gamerbabe14

Another vote for nerve damage. Physical therapy has been very helpful.

kayemallory

I'm a side/front sleeper. I had trouble with my arms falling asleep and I remedied it by lying on a pillow positioned kind of under my armpit comfortably, (like when you lie on your side with your head on your elbow), and then I use a second pillow over my shoulder, but under my head. This position allows more room for big boobs (in my case) or large muscles (in your case). Play with adding another pillow and see if you can't position yourself so that your arm has more room. Good luck!

Kind of like this with a regular pillow instead of one that costs over $200! LOL

mom23mangos

jshaw2025 wrote: »

There are usually specific things you can do to help. Scap retractions, scap depression, pec stretch, etc.

I have this issue from shoulder impingement. Also probably some cubital tunnel syndrome as its primarily my pinky and ring finger that have issues. I sleep with my arm overhead which compounds the issue. I've had to train myself to sleep on my back with arm down or on my left side. I also do a LOT of scapular work to try to correct the impingement.

serindipte

mom23mangos wrote: »

jshaw2025 wrote: »

There are usually specific things you can do to help. Scap retractions, scap depression, pec stretch, etc.

I have this issue from shoulder impingement. Also probably some cubital tunnel syndrome as its primarily my pinky and ring finger that have issues. I sleep with my arm overhead which compounds the issue. I've had to train myself to sleep on my back with arm down or on my left side. I also do a LOT of scapular work to try to correct the impingement.

I've been dealing with this same issue. My chiropractor has helped it a ton. Now the only time I have any trouble is right when I wake up. The rest of the time, it isn't even noticeable. He also showed me some exercises to help with the shoulder portion of the nerve trouble.

mom23mangos

serindipte wrote: »

mom23mangos wrote: »

jshaw2025 wrote: »

There are usually specific things you can do to help. Scap retractions, scap depression, pec stretch, etc.

I have this issue from shoulder impingement. Also probably some cubital tunnel syndrome as its primarily my pinky and ring finger that have issues. I sleep with my arm overhead which compounds the issue. I've had to train myself to sleep on my back with arm down or on my left side. I also do a LOT of scapular work to try to correct the impingement.

I've been dealing with this same issue. My chiropractor has helped it a ton. Now the only time I have any trouble is right when I wake up. The rest of the time, it isn't even noticeable. He also showed me some exercises to help with the shoulder portion of the nerve trouble.

What does he have you doing?

serindipte

mom23mangos wrote: »

serindipte wrote: »

mom23mangos wrote: »

jshaw2025 wrote: »

There are usually specific things you can do to help. Scap retractions, scap depression, pec stretch, etc.

I have this issue from shoulder impingement. Also probably some cubital tunnel syndrome as its primarily my pinky and ring finger that have issues. I sleep with my arm overhead which compounds the issue. I've had to train myself to sleep on my back with arm down or on my left side. I also do a LOT of scapular work to try to correct the impingement.

I've been dealing with this same issue. My chiropractor has helped it a ton. Now the only time I have any trouble is right when I wake up. The rest of the time, it isn't even noticeable. He also showed me some exercises to help with the shoulder portion of the nerve trouble.

What does he have you doing?

I'm not sure how to describe it, but a few different moves/stretches with resistance bands. That and his adjustments have really helped.

JeremyBWilliamsSr

100_PROOF_ wrote: »

I have this issue. Doctor said it's nerve damage.

That stinks. I probably should see someone then

JeremyBWilliamsSr

kayemallory wrote: »

I'm a side/front sleeper. I had trouble with my arms falling asleep and I remedied it by lying on a pillow positioned kind of under my armpit comfortably, (like when you lie on your side with your head on your elbow), and then I use a second pillow over my shoulder, but under my head. This position allows more room for big boobs (in my case) or large muscles (in your case). Play with adding another pillow and see if you can't position yourself so that your arm has more room. Good luck!

Kind of like this with a regular pillow instead of one that costs over $200! LOL

I have thought of getting one of those pillows

Emerald_Warrior

serindipte wrote: »

Personally, my first stop would be a chiropractor for that issue. Second would be an MD if that didn't correct it.

I second this. Chiropractors are miracle workers

Silkysausage

JeremyBWilliamsSr wrote: »

kayemallory wrote: »

I'm a side/front sleeper. I had trouble with my arms falling asleep and I remedied it by lying on a pillow positioned kind of under my armpit comfortably, (like when you lie on your side with your head on your elbow), and then I use a second pillow over my shoulder, but under my head. This position allows more room for big boobs (in my case) or large muscles (in your case). Play with adding another pillow and see if you can't position yourself so that your arm has more room. Good luck!

Kind of like this with a regular pillow instead of one that costs over $200! LOL

I have thought of getting one of those pillows

Never seen anything so ridiculous, as a neuromuscular massage therapist and trigger point specialist I can say that your rotator cuff in any overly stretched position will be hammered over time.

The best way to sleep is on your back with a pillow under the knees to take pressure off the back or on your side with a pillow inbetween the knees to the ankles to ankles to align the hips.

OP, you need to address muscles first with a sports massage as it's always almost the reason for your symptoms. Lifting heavier than before will produce problems at first as the body will have to adapt to different conditions.

With my over head press my neck muscles were on fire but with applied heat, stretching, Trigger Point Therapy and time they are now absolutely fine.

As bodybuilders we have to put the self help work in and that means physical therapy, ice/heat, stretching, foam rolling, knowledge of anatomy and knowing when to ease off very heavy lifting.

plythacur

I’d recommend seeing a sports doc or PT who can tell you where the nerve impingement is along your arms. They may also be able to suggest specific exercises or nerve glides to do to help. If this is pretty new, you might not have nerve damage yet. I have ulnar impingement/cubital tunnel syndrome and have to sleep on my back with arms straight, and can’t currently do heavy lifts which bend my elbows more than 90 degrees. It is annoying, but far better than nerve damage and surgery.

the8BitGirl

jshaw2025 wrote: »

I would see a physical therapist. Sounds like possible nerve compression. A PT can help evaluate your movements and see if there are any corrections you can make to your current lifts, or add some accessory exercises to get everything in good working order.

Definitely this. I am currently seeing a Physiotherapist because of nerve compression which causes pain in my right shoulder, and numbness in my right thumb and part of my forearm. Caused by my own stupidity/lifting heavy and not paying attention to my form. My physio keeps poking at the discs at the top of my spine, and some of the exercises she's given me seem to help, but that numbness man... so annoying. >.<

mutantspicy

If you are gaining mass and have lost Body Fat your nerves will be more exposed.. I have an issue in my leg. It feels like I have a sparkler in my hip all the time. The doctor and the neurologist who gave me an emg both concluded that because I lost weight my femerol nerve was getting pinched easier and causing the needles and pins feeling. Could it be nerve damage from lifting, possibly.. But most likely its because its of low bf percentage. . Which it looks like you have if your avatar pic is up to date. When you lay down you are pinching your nerves. But definitely check with your doc.

Chieflrg

JeremyBWilliamsSr wrote: »

Hello, I have been lifting really heavy lately, trying to increase size. As of late, anytime that I lay down to sleep, my arms have bank falling asleep. It is impossible to lay on my side because they fall asleep within seconds. Anyone else have this issue and a possible remedy?

Pretty common with me. Arms above my head or elbows bent will numb me up quick, though I deal with more swelling than moat others.

Maybe because my shoulders are so muscular they pinch of blood supply or something of the like.

I just lay on my back for most the.night.

Grimmerick

Neck issues can sometimes cause numbness and tingling down the upper limbs. If you can't get to the bottom of it and it doesn't seem to be the other things listed you might have your neck checked out.