Neck muscles definitely can cause carpal tunnel symptoms. You can find an article about that in the “Categories” here called “Causes of Carpal Tunnel Symptoms.”
Here’s an e-mail I received (that I love) and my response. It’s about pillows. We sleep on pillows and pillows support necks, so…
A good pillow that supports the natural curve in your neck can make a world of difference. It helps keep all of your muscles balanced so they don’t cause symptoms.
“I do declare my symptoms are diminishing and i don’t have any more numbness or tingling in my hands, I have been working with my massage therapist exclusively and she has done wonders, she thinks its a trigger in my neck, so we are going to start maintenance work every few weeks on my neck to make sure the symptoms stay away. She suggested that I might try and get a microfoam pillow to help with my neck–do you know a good brand, I have had my main pillow for years and its hard to part with, but I’m willing to try a new pillow, any suggestions? Thanks for all your help and tips–they help tremendously!”
I LOVE it that she took action and is doing so well!
Here’s my response and a couple more suggestions:
“Tempurpedic makes a memory foam pillow that
comes in a “medium” size and also a “small” (child size) but it’s hard to come by the small. Their pillows are on the pricey side but at Bed Bath & Beyond you can get a knock-off (very much the same but different brand) for about 1/2 the price of the Tempurpedic pillow. My friend got hers there and loves it!
Also, you can try it out from BB&B (I’d leave the plastic on it under your pillow slip) for a few days and if it’s not for you, I believe they’ll let you return it, which is pretty cool. I think the shaped memory foam pillows there are around $30-50.
I believe some bedding stores carry the Tempurpedic pillows. Some have a shaped neck roll, some don’t. If you go there, you could actually lay on one of the pillows. They had some on the Tempurpedic mattresses for people to try when I was there last.
Here’s the thing about the memory foam pillows:
When the weather (or house) is cold they get firmer. So it may feel good and mushy and just right to you in the summer but not in the winter. Or vice versa.
Note: I personally also use a “stomach sleeper” down pillow because it’s very soft and mushable so I can smash down a head space and have a very good neck support for back sleeping.
Another Note: Another way to get a neck pillow very inexpensively is to make your own by rolling a fiberfill batt to the size that’s comfortable for your neck and putting it into a pillow slip or case. You can buy a fiberfill batt at a fabric store or department. It’s the same thing quilts are stuffed with.
You can make more than one neck roll or pillow in different sizes and switch around as desired.
In this article, I’m talking about sleeping on your back, using a shaped pillow or neck roll to support the curve in your neck as you sleep.
If you’re a side-sleeper, you still need to support your natural curves in your neck but you’ll need a thicker pillow. The thicker pillow should fill the space between your bed and ear without smashing your shoulder. On top of that, you can add a neck roll to support your neck from the side. You can create it from fiberfill batting, as I mentioned above, or a thin, soft pillow to fill your neck curve.
Everyone’s neck is different but the idea is to keep your natural curves in your neck supported while you sleep and to keep your spine in a straight, balanced, neutral position so your neck muscles stay happy.
Happy neck muscles don’t cause carpal tunnel symptoms.