I had horrible pain radiating down my pinky and half of my ring finger, the half closest to the pinky. Went through all kinds of occupational testing and it was determined I was hitting my "funny" bone on the outside of my elbow without noticing it and, because the ulnar nerve was very close to the surface, I'd been aggravating it. The treatment was soft, padded elbow protectors, the same as they use for heels. Kind of like THESE.
I've got all kinds of pinched whatevers in my neck and passing down through my arms. When I was 17, they said it was arthritis. Many years later, getting the above diagnosis was like a godsend. Watching my elbow and making sure it is cushioned has worked really well. Also, I cannot keep it bent for long and I am on the telephone a lot, so I always have a headset I use keeping my hands free and my elbow from getting sore. I was surprised at just how often I was bumping my elbows when I started wearing the pads.
As to the hand and cramping...my doc said most people naturally sleep with their hands kind of tucked up under their chins. He recommended using Cock Up Splints which I did use for a short time. They really help. I also use them whenever my wrists get tired and carpel tunnel shows up for a short time. If I use the splints for a day or two it settles right down.
I cannot recommend the elbow pads strongly enough, gnu. I think you'd be surprised.