Well a recent study published in the Journal of Orthopedic Sports and Physical Therapy says “yes”. It showed that women with mild/moderate or severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome exhibited less range of motion in their cervical spine compared to women of similar age who did not have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Now that a correlation is established, it still needs to be determined if loss of movement in the neck is a consequence or cause of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Though we don’t yet understand this correlation completely we know that conservative treatments done by a physical therapist can improve both the neck’s range of motion and the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The individual who has symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (weakness, numbness, pain and tingling in the hand and fingers) should seek an evaluation by a specialist who can determine the source of the nerve constriction whether at the wrist or coming from the neck or whether both or contributing to the symptoms. You can read the abstract of this article at http://www.jospt.org/issues/articleID.2575,type.2/article_detail.asp
If you have carpal Tunnel Syndrome does your head turn to be in alignment with your shoulder? Let us know!