Look into thoracic outlet syndrome and try some of the stretches for pectoralis ( front of the shoulder) and other shoulder stretches.
My arms have been falling asleep at night, especially my right arm, due to heavy manual labor of digging post holes. I am a 50 year old woman and only 5' 1". So as others, who have posted on this site, I believe my problem is pushing myself too hard. I really like the idea of going to an Osteopathic Physician should my symptoms not disappear after I am no longer digging the post holes. I am also going to try "Deep Blue" an essential oil rub which has Helichrysum Oil in it which is very healing to tissues.
My strong suggestion is to see an osteophathic physician who practices "manipulation." In short, an osteopathic physician is like a chiropractor (but infinitely better), as they actually attend medical school. The key is that the osteopathic physician must perform "manipulation" (a term of art). Many osteopathic physicians don't perform manipulation. These doctors are unreal. They solve these type of "freaky" problems all the time. I'll give the names of a few of these doctors at the end of this posting. About 15 years ago, I had a roommate who was an osteopathic physician. Had never heard of one and presumed it was some quack science. My roommate solved these types of weird problems all the time. I later had some quirck injuries and he fixed them (I was totally amazed). He told me that manipulation solves almost all bizarre problems.
Two osteopathic physicians that I know are in California and Florida (my old roommate - - he moved back to Florida from California - - bummer). The osteopathic doctor in California is Aline Fournet, located in Escondido, CA. It is unreal what she can do. The doctor in Florida is Brett Thomas, in Orlando.
Both of these osteopathic physicians trained under the top osteopathic physician in the world, Viola Fryman, who runs a center called "The Osteopathic Center for Children" in San Diego. They don't simply treat children, however, Dr. Fryman does limit her treatment to children.
I totally used to have this problem very badly. I would cry too it was so painful. I believe for me it was pinched nerves in the neck/shoulder area.. I would wake up at night and would take 20 mins for my arms to come back to life.. For me I just had to loose some weight. 20 pounds did the trick. I still occasionally have minor asleep feelings if I fall asleep on my stomach with arms under my pillow/above my head (my favorite way to sleep!! >_<) Thought I'd share, not sure if your overweight but that would possibly be a factor if so. Hope you feel better!
I totally used to have this problem very badly. I would cry too it was so painful. I believe for me it was pinched nerves in the neck/shoulder area.. I would wake up at night and would take 20 mins for my arms to come back to life.. For me I just had to loose some weight. 20 pounds did the trick. I still occasionally have minor asleep feelings if I fall asleep on my stomach with arms under my pillow/above my head (my favorite way to sleep!! >_<) Thought I'd share, not sure if your overweight but that would possibly be a factor if so. Hope you feel better!
I had this problem found that using a microwaveable heat neck thing subsided the numbness in hands at night and pain I, i think the problem is in my neckhavent gone to doc yet thought it was carpal tunnel but it's a combination of that and neck issues