Right-Side Neck Pain? The Most Common Causes and Solutions
Persistent pain on one side of the neck is technically known as unilateral cervicalgia. In most cases, neck pain on the right side has a mechanical cause, often indicating that bones, ligaments, or muscles are imbalanced while supporting your head. Below, we’ll explore why right-side neck pain occurs and how to find relief.
Why does it hurt on one side and not the other?
Your neck is made up of seven small vertebrae that facilitate motion. The wide range of motion our neck provides creates opportunity for injury. When nerves and soft tissues become irritated on the right side of the neck, it typically means the right joints or muscles are experiencing compression or over-extension. Daily habits like sitting, standing, or breathing can create imbalances. When you know the cause of your right-side neck pain, you can start down the path to a stronger you. Knowing is half the battle.
Screen Time Might Be Contributing
Our phones and computers require us to stare down for hours every day. Text neck is a term that many therapists are using to describe the forward head posture that comes from looking down at electronic devices. When our chin crunches toward our chest, it forces the muscles in the back of the neck to work two times as hard just to keep your head upright. If you tend to hold your phone in your right hand more than your left or look toward your right hand while typing, you can create repetitive overload on the right side. The pain you feel may feel like a dull ache or a sharp tug.
All it takes is making a conscious effort to improve your habits. There is nothing you can’t change about how you use technology. Holding your phone or tablet at eye level and taking breaks will spare your neck years of pain. Winning starts with making small changes daily.
Could Your Pillow Be the Real Culprit Behind Your Right-Side Neck Pain?
Sleeping positions are a major culprit when it comes to neck pain on one side. If you sleep on your stomach, you are forcing your neck to bend and turn to one side for hours each night. The repetitive positioning puts your neck joints at maximum range of motion and dumps intense pressure onto the nerves and muscles on the side your head is resting.
Did you know your pillow can make or break your posture as you sleep? If your pillow is too high or too firm, it will hyperextend the neck. Not having enough pillow thickness to fill the space between your ear and shoulder will leave the neck without pillar-like support while you sleep. Either scenario leads to stiffness and decreased motion when you wake up. Life is about finding balance. Sometimes we have to adjust our pillows to find it.
Lugging Heavy Bags on One Shoulder
If you are like most commuters and office workers, you carry your laptop bag or purse on your dominant side. For most people, the dominant side is the right side. By continuously contracting the muscles to keep the bag in place, you create a “hike” in your shoulder. Over time, this places extra strain on the right side of your neck because your muscles will start to shorten.
Opt for a backpack whenever possible and take breaks to switch sides. Remember that caring for yourself means lightening your load. Let your body thank you by staying symmetrical.
Effective Solutions for Neck Pain on the Right Side
There is power in starting your rehabilitation journey. Pain isn’t trying to break you down; it’s trying to build you up. The sooner you can get proactive with your neck pain, the sooner you will start to feel better. Give these tips a try, and never hesitate to seek advice from a professional.
Mind Your Posture at Your Desk or Workstation
Your environment can have a significant impact on how your body feels. An ergonomic workstation can make all the difference if you work at a desk or computer. Ideally, your chair will support the curve of your low back while allowing your feet to rest flat on the ground. When you’re sitting comfortably, you shouldn’t have to crank your neck down to see your computer screen.
Another thing to assess is if you skew to the right when you sit down. Some people like to rest their right elbow on the desk or arm of their chair. This pushes your spine out of alignment. Staying grounded and centered is key. When your body is aligned, your muscles can begin to relax.
Try Investing In A Massage
Massage is such an incredible way to melt away at your muscular trigger points. Trigger points are basically knots that form in tight muscles. For right-side neck pain, these muscles are typically the Trapezius or levator scapulae. Massage can help increase blood flow to the affected areas allowing fresh oxygen and nutrients to reach your tissues and speed up the healing process. Plus, it’s just nice to give your body some TLC after what it does for you all day long.
How Can Physical Therapy Heal Your Neck?
Physical therapy isn’t just about giving you exercises! In fact, it’s about assessing how your body moves together. At Carter Physiotherapy in Austin, TX, our goal is to identify the underlying cause of your asymmetry through a comprehensive movement assessment. Through a comprehensive exam, we can determine which muscles are weak and which are overworking.
We can teach you how to activate your deep neck muscles to create a natural brace for your cervical spine. We can also provide manual therapy to manipulate the joints back into a more neutral position. With the correct tools and professional guidance, there is nothing you cannot do. Let us help you get back to sports, work, and life!
FAQs related to Right-Side Neck Pain
Will driving cause neck pain on one side?
Yes! Driving can be a huge factor when it comes to having neck pain on one side of the body. Most people are right foot dominant when driving, which can cause your pelvis and spine to shift to one side. As a result, your right muscles have to work twice as hard.
How do I know if my neck pain is serious?
Unless there is severe weakness in your arm, high fevers, or loss of coordination with neck pain, it’s probably muscular or joint-related. These are things that can be managed with a thorough physical therapy evaluation and treatment plan. If pain is severe and sudden, please seek medical attention immediately.
Should I get an X-ray if my neck hurts on one side?
X-rays generally aren’t needed for common neck pain. They are better utilized if there was a recent trauma to the neck, like a fall or car accident. Many times, soft tissue injuries do not show up on X-ray like a muscle strain or bulging disc would. Your physical therapist can assess your condition without the need for immediate imaging with a movement examination.
What is the best stretch for relieving right-side neck pain?
One of the best stretches you can do is the “ear-to-shoulder” stretch. Slowly drop your left ear toward your left shoulder to stretch the right side of your neck. You can sit on your right hand to further pin your right shoulder down and intensify the stretch. Hold for thirty seconds and breathe. This motion can reset your tension levels.
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