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Sports related arm numbness while sleeping

Every winter when I transition from bicycling (10-20 hours/week) to skiing (nordic-skate skiing, alpine and backcountry touring) I have significant problems with my arms falling painfully asleep at night and being generally uncomfortable through the day.  I'm guessing its related to the change in upper body use from very little when biking to significantly when poling while skiing.  During the bike season I do very little upper body work.

Right now the discomfort feels like tension across my pecs to my shoulders with some sensational discomfort extending down my biceps.  My hands feel more chilled than usual when I'm experiencing this discomfort.

What are possible causes of the numbness while sleeping and discomfort through the day given my abrupt change in activity?  What are exercises or stretches that I could do to help alleviate the symptoms?  If my muscles are impinging on nerves is it possible that I could build up scar tissue and cause a chronic problem?
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Avatar universal
Thanks and Happy New Year to you as well!

Yes I recover from the symptoms each year.  Then in the fall and early winter when my activities change then they resume.

I'm taking the week off from skiing (poling) to allow some recovery.

I have been stretching several times a day and taking 800mg of ibuprofen before bed.
Helpful - 0
368886 tn?1466235284
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello.

First of all, I wish you a Happy New Year.

It is important to consider here, whether you recover from these symptoms every year.

I guess you have to use a lot of your upper body muscles while skiing. And if this is done without prior exercise and stretching, there are chances that the muscles are in pain. A few small nerves may get pinched with a change in the muscle activity. In the initial period when your muscles are untrained, not ready for the new, heavy work, they do swell a little.

You could start the day with a little bit of stretching of the upper body muscles, before going for skiing.

You need not worry about any scarring at present.

Regards
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