When it’s time to catch some Z’s, many individuals have their preferred sleeping positions that offer the most comfort.
Some people may find solace curled up on their side in a fetal position, while others may prefer lying on their back with arms and legs spread out, akin to a starfish, potentially causing frustration for a bed partner.
One such position gaining attention on social media is the ‘T-Rex’ position, named for its resemblance to the dinosaur’s tiny arms, though this terminology isn’t used in medical circles.
This involves bending your arms and tucking them into your chest while you slumber.
It earned its nickname due to the likeness to a T-Rex’s short arms, which were not quite effective for tasks like scratching its chin.
However, a medical professional has cautioned that adopting this position might lead to certain health issues.
Dr. Raj Dasgupta, an expert in sleep medicine and chief medical advisor for Sleepopolis, shared insights with HuffPost regarding the potential drawbacks of this position.
He explained, “When you sleep with your arms bent and tucked in, you can press on the nerves in your elbows or wrists.
“This can slow blood flow and make your arms feel numb or tingly. If you do it often, it can also strain your shoulders and make them stiff or sore.”
But what indicators suggest this sleeping position could be problematic?
The pressure exerted on the nerves in your arms could lead to irritation, particularly in the wrist, as noted by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Matthew Bennett.
Symptoms may manifest as shooting pain down the arm, difficulty holding onto objects, or an increased frequency of dropping items like phones.
While these signs might initially be dismissed as mere clumsiness, they could actually indicate nerve damage that is worsening over time.
Dr. Dasgupta advises, “If your arms or hands go numb every night, stay numb for a while after waking up, or start to feel weak during the day, it’s time to see a doctor.”
So, what can one do to mitigate this issue?
The good news is that noticing these signs early on may allow for a simple solution: altering your sleeping position.
Dr. Dasgupta suggests, “It’s usually temporary and goes away once you change your sleeping position.”
Nonetheless, he warns that prolonged pressure on the nerves could result in “lasting nerve damage” if it continues over weeks or months.