Pain in the Left Side of Your Neck: What It Means and How to Treat It
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Left side neck pain is often caused by strain or irritation to the neck muscles or spasms due to poor posture. Whatever the cause of your pain, understanding how to treat pain in your left side neck will help you get back to your life. In this article, we'll discuss the possible causes of left side neck pain, provide some treatment tips, and explain when you need physical therapy in Austin.
Musculoskeletal Causes of Left-Side Neck Pain
The neck supports your head using a complex system of muscles and joints. Some common causes of pain in the left side of neck include:
Torticollis (Awkward neck)
When muscles in the neck spasm or tighten, it can cause your head to turn to one side. Sleeping in an awkward position or suddenly jerking your neck to one side can trigger torticollis. Torticollis is painful, but it will likely resolve in 1-3 days with rest, heat, and gentle stretching.
Levator Scapulae Strain
The levator scapulae runs up the side of your neck. Its main function is to allow you to look over your shoulder. Using your cell phone while driving, resting your head on your hand, and carrying heavy shoulder bags can strain this muscle. You'll feel pain in the left side of your neck when you tilt your head down or try to look over your left shoulder.
Poor Sleeping Positions or Pillows
Sleeping on your neck for hours without proper support can cause neck pain. Side sleepers need a thick pillow that can fill the gap between your head and mattress without bending your neck. Back sleepers need pillows with less loft. Sleeping on your stomach is hard on your neck. If you typically sleep on your left side, you may experience pain in the left side of your neck. Oftentimes correcting your pillow choice and posture and stretching can fix these problems.
Nerve Conditions: Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy is the term used to describe irritation or compression of a nerve in your neck. Some causes of radiculopathy include herniated discs or bone spurs. Left sided neck pain may travel down the arm on the same side as the irritation. In addition to pain, you might feel a sharp, electric pain down your left arm and numbness, tingling, or weakness. You may also experience a "pins and needles" feeling in your arm, or have difficulty gripping objects.
Keep in mind chest pain in your left arm and neck can also be a symptom of heart problems. If you experience shortness of breath, nausea, chest pain, or pain that worsens with activity along with left-sided neck pain you should seek medical treatment immediately.
Physical therapy for radiculopathy can include nerve gliding exercises, improving posture, and stretches to alleviate pressure on the nerve.
When to See a Doctor: Other Causes of Left-Side Neck Pain
Muscle and joint dysfunction account for most cases of pain in the left side of your neck. However, there are some signs that neck pain may be caused by something more serious. These "red flags" warrant immediate medical attention. Understanding these serious causes of neck pain will ensure you seek medical treatment when necessary.
Meningitis
This infection of the membranes around your brain is rare, but should be considered if you experience a stiff neck with a high fever, severe headache, and sensitivity to light. Meningitis is a medical emergency.
Swollen lymph nodes
Swollen lymph nodes may cause you to feel tender bumps on the left side of your neck. There can be many causes, but these are often seen with colds or sore throats. If they don't resolve on their own or continue to increase in size, you should have them checked by your doctor.
Trauma: fractures or dislocations
Neck pain accompanied by a serious injury from a car accident, fall, or sports injury should be evaluated by emergency medical professionals. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs.
Heart conditions
Left sided neck pain can be a symptom of heart disease or a heart attack. However, heart problems are typically not experienced alone. If you experience chest pain, pain in your jaw, shortness of breath, nausea, or pain that worsens with activity along with left-sided neck pain seek emergency care.
Take Charge of Neck Pain with These 3 Steps
Treating your stiff neck starts with these easy treatments to manage pain and treat the underlying cause. Follow these 3 steps to start feeling better.
Step 1: Apply Heat To Relax Your Neck Muscles
Apply moist heat for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours to help reduce spasms and improve blood flow. Heat can help ease your discomfort and help stop the painful cycle of spasms and inflammation. Use a warm towel, heating pad, or take a hot shower.
Step 2: Perform Gentle Isometric Exercises
After the initial pain starts to subside (usually 24-48 hours), begin performing these gentle isometric exercises:
- Lean your head into your hand for 5 seconds
- Release for 10 seconds
- Repeat 10 times, 3 times per day
These exercises will help strengthen neck muscles.
Step 3: Get Professional Physical Therapy
If you're looking for deep tissue relief from neck pain, stop by Carter Physiotherapy in Austin. Here at Carter Physiotherapy we can use hands-on physical therapy techniques such as soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization to correct muscular imbalances and restore range of motion. Most patients begin to feel better after just a few physical therapy treatments.
Use these 3 steps together to help recover from neck pain in your left side.
Take Action Against Neck Pain Today
No one enjoys experiencing pain in the left side of the neck. Now that you know what causes your neck pain and how to treat it, you can begin fighting back. Most strains and minor pain in your neck will improve with rest, gentle stretching, and using heat. If the pain persists or becomes chronic, don't be afraid to reach out to a professional. Come see us at Carter Physiotherapy and we can help ensure your pain doesn't become a long-term problem.
FAQs related to Left Side Neck Pain
How long should a stiff neck last?
Most acute neck pain or cricks in your neck should improve within 3-7 days with home management. The first 48 hours are typically the worst. If your neck pain persists for more than one week or gets worse, seek professional care. If you experience recurrent "cricks in your neck", you may have underlying posture or muscle dysfunction that can be helped with physical therapy.
Can I force my neck to move if it's stiff?
No, forcing movement through pain is how most injuries become worse. Pain is your bodies' natural defense mechanism to prevent you from injuring yourself further. Try to focus on gentle isometric exercises and movements within your range of comfort. Remember, slowing and steady wins the race when it comes to recovering from a stiff neck. If the pain does not improve in 1 week, you should seek care with a physical therapist.
Should I stop using pillows when I sleep?
Going pillow-less while you sleep can often do more harm than good. If you sleep on your side, you need a pillow that can fill the gap between your head and bed without bending your neck. If you sleep on your back, you should use a pillow with less loft. Try to avoid sleeping on your stomach as this puts extra strain on your neck. A physical therapist can help you find the right pillow and proper sleeping position to help alleviate causes of neck pain on your left side.
Can texting cause one-sided neck pain?
Text neck occurs when you hunch your neck and spine to look down at your phone. If you typically text with your left hand and tilt your head down to the left side, you may experience pain in your left side neck. Your head weighs about 10-12 pounds, but leaning your head forward to look at your phone exerts up to 60 pounds of pressure on your neck and spine. Take frequent breaks, hold your phone at eye level, and alternate your holding hand often.
