You sleep in the arms of your half and, when you wake up, it is impossible to move your arm stuck under its weight. Sensation of tingling, total loss of control, impression of having an inert member … This is what doctors call lovers’ paralysis. Also known as honeymoon syndrome or Saturday evening paralysis, this benign condition occurs after an uncomfortable position.
Why does the arm no longer respond?
In fact, the partner’s head or body compresses the radial nerve of the arm, which leads to temporary immobility. To be more precise, the radial nerve passes under the upper bone of the arm. When crushed too long, he can no longer transmit signals to the muscles. Result: the wrist falls, the fingers can be curved, and the hand adopts a characteristic posture nicknamed “falling hand”. In some cases, loss of sensitivity to the back of the hand can also be noted.
This blockage is not linked to a serious illness. It is simply a prolonged nervous compression. But the experience remains impressive, especially upon waking up, when the arm suddenly seems no longer belonging to its owner.
How long does paralysis last
The good news is that lovers’ paralysis disappears as soon as the pressure ceases. Depending on the case, the arm resumes its mobility in a few minutes or in a few hours.
To accelerate recovery, certain simple measures can help:
- Practice gentle rehabilitation exercises to stimulate sensitivity;
- Slowly move the fingers and the wrist to reactivate traffic;
- Use anti-inflammatory drugs if discomfort persists.
How to avoid it on a daily basis
If this phenomenon remains benign, it can be embarrassing and recurring. Some precautions reduce risks such as changing a position regularly during the night or avoid sleeping with the arm stuck under the part of the partner. If that is not enough, you can use an additional pillow to support the shoulder and clear the arm.
These small adjustments are often enough to preserve night hugs without fear of waking up with an inert arm.