Left-Sided Neck Pain – Neck pain on the left side can be very uncomfortable and may make it hard to move your neck or do everyday tasks. This pain can happen for many reasons, some common and some less common. If the pain is strong or keeps coming back repeatedly, it could be a sign of a more serious problem and should be checked by a doctor. In most cases, left-side neck pain happens due to simple reasons like sleeping in the wrong position or lifting heavy weights improperly. But sometimes, it is caused by more serious issues or diseases, such as a tumour or arthritis.
12 Common Causes Of Neck Pain On The Left Side
There are various factors that cause pain in your neck on the left side. Here are some common causes of left-sided neck pain:
1. Poor Posture
What it is:
Poor posture is when the body is not aligned properly while sitting or standing.
How it happens:
It may happen by looking down at your phone or computer for too long. Also, slouching or sleeping in a bad position can cause neck pain.
Risk Factors:
- Long hours sitting at a desk
- Using phones or laptops frequently
- Sleeping without proper neck support
Symptoms:
- Aching or stiffness in the neck
- Pain that gets worse after using a phone or a computer
- Difficulty in turning the head
2. Cervical Muscle Strain or Sprain
What it is:
A muscle strain happens when the muscles are overstretched, and a sprain means injury to the ligaments (tissues that hold bones together).
How it happens:
Muscle sprain or strain can happen from heavy lifting, sudden movements, or accidents.
Symptoms:
- Sharp or dull pain on one side of the neck
- Muscle tightness or swelling
- Pain that worsens with movement
Risk Factors:
- Sudden jerks or falls
- Poor lifting techniques
- Wrong movement of the neck
3. Cervical Disc Degeneration
What it is:
The discs in your neck act like cushions. Over time, they can degenerate. This is called disc degeneration, which can cause left-sided neck pain.
How it happens:
As you age, the discs lose their flexibility and become thinner.
Symptoms:
- Constant or continuous neck pain
- Stiffness in the neck
- Sometimes, pain can spread to the shoulders or arms
Risk Factors:
- Aging
- Family history
- Repeated neck strain
4. Cervical Disc Bulge/ Herniation
What it is:
A disc bulge or herniation means one of the discs in your neck is pressing on a nearby nerve.
How it happens:
It can happen due to any injury, strain, or mishap.
Symptoms:
- Sharp pain on one side of the neck
- Pain spreading to the arm or fingers
- Numbness or tingling
Risk Factors:
- Aging
- Heavy lifting
- Poor posture
5. Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve)
What it is:
This is when a nerve in the neck gets pinched or irritated.
How it happens:
It often happens due to a bulging disc or bone pressing on the nerve.
Symptoms:
- Sharp or burning neck pain
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arm
- Pain that worsens with neck movement
Risk Factors:
- Disc problems
- Arthritis
- Previous neck injuries
6. Whiplash
What it is:
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden back-and-forth movement of the head.
How it happens:
Most commonly from car accidents or falls.
Symptoms:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches
- Dizziness and fatigue
Risk Factors:
- Car accidents
- Sports injuries
- Physical abuse or falls
7. Arthritis in the Cervical Spine
What it is:
This is inflammation and stiffness in the joints of the neck.
How it happens:
Arthritis wears down the cartilage between the neck bones, causing pain.
Symptoms:
- Neck stiffness, especially in the morning
- Pain when turning the head
- Grinding feeling in the neck
Risk Factors:
- Age over 50
- Family history
- Previous neck injuries
8. Text Neck Syndrome
What it is:
A modern problem caused by looking down at phones or tablets for long periods.
How it happens:
The head tilts forward, putting pressure on the neck muscles and spine.
Symptoms:
- Dull, aching neck pain
- Pain in the shoulders or upper back
- Headaches
Risk Factors:
- Long screen time
- Poor phone/tablet usage posture
- Lack of breaks
9. Infections and Inflammatory Conditions
What it is:
Certain infections or immune system problems can cause swelling in the neck area.
How it happens:
Infections such as meningitis or conditions like lupus may cause inflammation in the neck tissues.
Symptoms:
- Neck stiffness and pain
- Fever and tiredness
- Swelling or redness
Risk Factors:
- Weakened immune system
- Autoimmune diseases
- Recent infections
10. Trigger Points and Myofascial Pain
What it is:
Trigger points are small, tight knots in muscles that can cause pain.
How it happens:
Poor posture, stress, or overuse can lead to these tight spots.
Symptoms:
- Pain that feels deep and aching
- Tender spots in the neck
- Pain that spreads to the shoulder or head
Risk Factors:
- Stress
- Muscle overuse
- Poor posture
11. Fibromyalgia
What it is:
A long-term condition that causes widespread pain, including in the neck.
How it happens:
The exact cause is unknown, but it may be related to how the brain processes pain.
Symptoms:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Tiredness and sleep problems
- Sensitivity to touch
Risk Factors
- Women are more likely to get it
- Family history
- Stress or trauma
12. Heart-Related Issues
What it is:
Neck pain, especially on the left side, can sometimes mean there is a heart problem.
How it happens:
Pain may spread from the chest to the neck during a heart attack or other heart issues.
Symptoms:
- Sudden neck pain with chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating or dizziness
Risk Factors:
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes or heart disease history
12 Effective Treatments For Left-Sided Neck Pain
When suffering from neck pain, life seems stiff, just like the neck. It is important to learn about effective treatments to ease neck pain, especially when it is only on one side. Here are some effective treatments for neck pain on the left side:
1. Neck Retraction Exercise
The neck retraction exercise is good for improving your neck posture and reducing pain. To do this, sit or stand straight and slowly pull your chin backwards, like you are making a double chin. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds, then relax. Repeat it 10 to 15 times. A study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy shows that this exercise can significantly reduce neck pain.
2. Scapular Squeezes
Scapular squeezes help make your upper back muscles stronger and improve shoulder strength. To do this, stand or sit with your arms by your sides. Then, squeeze your shoulder blades together, hold for 5 seconds, and relax. Do 2 to 3 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.
3. Motion Cervical Range Exercises
These exercises help your neck move better and can reduce stiffness. There are six simple movements:
- Bend your neck forward so your chin touches your chest.
- Look up toward the ceiling.
- Turn your head to the right and left.
- Try to touch each ear to the shoulder on the same side.
- Do each movement 10 times.
4. Heat Therapy
Using heat on the painful area helps increase blood flow, relax the muscles, and ease the pain. You can use a warm cloth or a heating pad for 15 to 20 minutes, a few times a day. Studies have shown that heat therapy is a very effective way to manage pain.
5. Cold Therapy
Using ice or a cold pack can help reduce swelling and make the pain feel less severe. Wrap the cold pack in a cloth and place it on the painful area for 15 to 20 minutes. You can do this every 1 to 2 hours.
6. Ultrasound Therapy
Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to go deep into your body tissues. This creates heat, which helps reduce pain and swelling. Always talk to a doctor or physical therapist before starting this treatment.
7. Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection (CESI)
CESI is a treatment that sends anti-inflammatory medicine directly into the space around the spine to reduce swelling and pain in the neck. A doctor uses a special X-ray called fluoroscopy to guide the injection.
8. Cervical Medial Branch Block (CMBB) and Radiofrequency Ablation
Cervical Medial Branch Block (CMBB) is a treatment that helps reduce neck pain coming from small joints in the spine called facet joints. A doctor injects a local pain-relief medicine and steroid near the nerves that carry pain signals from these joints. The injection is usually guided by imaging tools like ultrasound or X-ray. Another method called Radiofrequency Ablation can also be used to give longer pain relief.
9. Cervical Facet Joint Injection (CFJI)
A Cervical Facet Joint Injection is a treatment that puts medicine directly into the painful joints in your neck. This helps to lower swelling and reduce pain. A doctor uses special imaging tools like ultrasound or X-rays to guide the needle to the right spot. These injections can really help lessen neck pain caused by arthritis in the facet joints.
10. Cervical Prolotherapy
Cervical prolotherapy is a treatment where a doctor injects a natural solution into the neck’s tendons and ligaments to help them heal and reduce pain. The doctor usually uses a solution like hypertonic dextrose, which is injected directly into the painful area.
11. Nerve blocks
Nerve block treatment is a common way to help control pain. It works by stopping the pain messages from reaching the brain through the nerves. When these messages are blocked, the person feels less pain or sometimes no pain at all.
12. Physiotherapy
In physiotherapy, a therapist performs various techniques to ease the pain. These techniques include exercise, light therapy, heat application, and muscle massage.
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Conclusion
Left-sided neck pain can happen for many reasons, such as bad posture, muscle strain, wear and tear of neck discs, or other health problems. It is important to find out what is causing your pain so you can get the right treatment.
At Pain Medics Clinic, we offer different treatments based on your needs. These include nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and physiotherapy.
Whether your neck pain is mild or more serious, our team is ready to help you feel better and improve your life. If you have ongoing pain on the left side of your neck, contact Pain Medics Clinic to book a check-up and get a treatment plan just for you.
