Understanding Neck Pain on the Left Side
Ryan Klopfer • October 25, 2024
Worried About Neck Pain?
Neck pain on the left side can disrupt your daily life, making even the simplest tasks feel daunting. Whether it’s a persistent dull ache or a sharp, sudden pain, it’s crucial to understand the underlying causes to effectively manage it. But neck pain isn’t always as simple as it seems. Beyond the physical discomfort, there’s a deeper layer of complexity involving how your brain processes and responds to pain. In this guide, we’ll explore the common causes of left sided neck pain, the neuroscience behind pain, and discuss a range of treatment options, including consulting an upper cervical chiropractor.
What Can Cause Neck Pain on the Left Side?
When it comes to neck pain on the left side, several factors may be at play. Understanding all of them can help you identify the source of your discomfort and find the most effective treatment.
1. Muscle Strain
When it comes to neck pain on the left side, several factors may be at play. Understanding all of them can help you identify the source of your discomfort and find the most effective treatment.
2. Prolonged Posture
In today’s digital age, sitting in one position for far too long is a common cause of neck pain. Whether you’re slouching at your desk, holding your phone at an awkward angle, or constantly looking down at your devices, make sure you don't spend too long in any one of those positions. The body loves movement and a wide range of positioning! If you find yourself stuck in those prolonged positions, you may strain your neck muscles over time, leading to chronic neck pain and stiffness on one side.
3. Cervical Disc Issues
Your spine’s vertebral discs act as shock absorbers, cushioning your spinal column. When these discs degenerate or herniate, they can press on nearby nerve roots, causing nerve pain that often radiates down one side of the neck. This type of pain can become chronic and may be accompanied by arm pain and tingling or numbness.
4. Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding tissues, such as bone spurs, muscles, or disc material, apply too much pressure on a nerve root, leading to muscle pain. This can be a common cause of neck pain, tingling, or weakness that radiates down the arm.
5. Stress and Tension
Stress doesn’t just affect your mental state—it can manifest physically, too. Tension from stress can cause your neck and shoulder muscles to tighten, leading to severe pain. Over time, this tension can create a cycle of chronic discomfort. Muscle relaxants can be used to ease muscle tension caused by stress.
6. Injury or Trauma
Sudden impacts or accidents, such as whiplash injury from a car accident, can cause significant neck pain. Even if the initial injury seems minor, it can result in ongoing pain due to soft tissue damage or misalignment in the cervical spine.
7. Underlying Medical Conditions
Sometimes, neck pain on the left side can be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition:
- Heart Attack: Neck pain, especially when accompanied by chest pain or shortness of breath, could be a sign of a heart attack and requires immediate medical attention.
- Meningitis: An infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, meningitis can lead to severe neck stiffness and pain, often accompanied by fever and headache.
Chronic Neck Pain: Understanding Pain Neuroscience
Neck pain is not merely a result of physical strain or injury; it’s a complex phenomenon influenced by various factors, including how your nervous system, thoughts, and emotions interact. Pain neuroscience, a field advanced by experts like Louis Gifford, helps us understand that pain is not just a physical sensation but a protective mechanism that can be influenced by many non-physical factors.
1. Pain as a Protective Mechanism
Pain is your body’s way of signaling potential danger. According to Louis Gifford’s work, the intensity of pain isn’t always directly related to the severity of an injury. You might experience significant pain even in the absence of serious tissue damage, as your brain prioritizes protection over precision.
2. Central Sensitization
In some cases, particularly with chronic neck pain, your nervous system can become overly sensitive—a phenomenon known as central sensitization. This means that normal sensations, like light touch or movement, can be perceived as painful because your brain amplifies the pain response. This explains why some people experience persistent neck pain even when there’s no ongoing physical harm.
3. The Role of Emotions and Thoughts
Emotions and thoughts play a significant role in how we experience pain. Anxiety, stress, and negative thinking can all amplify pain. For instance, if you’re constantly worried about your neck pain worsening, this anxiety can heighten your pain experience. Similarly, catastrophizing—focusing on the worst-case scenario—can create a cycle where pain and fear feed off each other.
4. The Brain’s Role in Pain
Pain is ultimately processed in the brain, which integrates signals from various sources, including your body’s tissues, your emotional state, and past experiences. This means that factors like poor sleep, high stress levels, and even your social environment can influence your perception of pain. Understanding this can help you adopt a more holistic approach to managing neck pain.
Symptoms to Look Out For With Left Sided Neck Pain
Along with understanding the causes and complexity of neck pain, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms that could indicate a more serious problem or require different treatment approaches:
- Radiating Pain: Pain that travels from your neck down your shoulders, arms, or even into your back could signal a pinched nerve or disc problem.
- Stiffness: Difficulty moving your neck, especially after waking up, often points to muscle strain or poor posture.
- Tingling or Numbness: These sensations, especially in the arms or hands, are common with nerve-related issues like herniated discs.
- Weakness: Loss of strength in your arms or hands could indicate a serious nerve problem and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
- Headaches: Neck pain can often trigger tension headaches, especially if it’s related to muscle strain or stress.
When Should You See a Doctor for Neck pain?
While many cases of neck pain can be managed at conservatively, if certain symptoms persist, this should prompt you to seek medical attention immediately:
- Severe or persistent pain that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter pain relief.
- Weakness and Muscle Atrophy in your arms or hands.
- Neck pain following a severe neck injury or accident.
- Pain accompanied by other symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or fever.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional and possibly orthopedic surgeon to rule out serious conditions and receive appropriate treatment.
How to Get Neck Pain Relief
If your neck pain isn’t linked to a serious condition, several strategies can help alleviate your discomfort:
1. Rest and Activity Modification
It’s crucial to identify and modify any activities that may be agitating your neck pain. Activities like heavy lifting or prolonged sitting can still be performed, they will just need to be dialed back from a frequency, duration, and intensity standpoint. It is fairly well established that complete bed rest is not recommended; gentle movement can help keep your muscles flexible and prevent stiffness.
2. Apply Heat or Cold Therapy
Cryotherapy can reduce inflammation and manage pain after soft tissue injuries, but it might delay recovery by restricting blood flow and hindering the transport of healing chemicals like IGF-1 to the injured area, potentially leading to tissue damage or nerve harm.Applying a heating pad or ice pack for 15-20 minutes several times a day can help soothe your neck pain.
3. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief and Pain Medication
Non-prescription pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can reduce pain and inflammation. Be sure to follow the recommended dosage and consult a doctor if you have underlying health conditions. Certain prescription medications like muscle relaxers may also help reduce.
4. Physical Therapy and Graded Exercise Activity
Incorporating neck stretches and exercises into your routine can improve flexibility and strength. Move slowly, and stop if you feel any pain.
Physical therapy can provide targeted exercises and stretching techniques to alleviate neck pain.
5. Maintain A Wide Range of Postural Positions
It's important not to obsess over posture in trying to prevent your neck pain. Posture is more dependent on dose than it is the actual position. Don't sit staring at your phone for 4 hours reinforcing a "tech neck" and putting pressure on your posterior neck muscles and don't try to stand perfectly upright for 4 hours straight. Keep your spine moving and balanced throughout the day, and consider using ergonomic furniture only when you need to support yourself.
6. Stress Management
Stress can exacerbate tense muscles and trigger more neck pain, so it’s important to incorporate stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga into your everyday life.
7. Consulting an Upper Cervical Chiropractor
If your neck pain persists, you might consider seeing an upper cervical chiropractic specialist. These chiropractors focus on the intricate relationship between the skull, and top two bones and of the cervical spine (the atlas and axis). This junction has an influence over spinal biomechanics, which plays a significant role in supporting the head and protecting the spinal canal. Misalignments in this area can lead to neck pain and other issues. Upper cervical chiropractors use precise, instrument assisted adjustments to correct these misalignments, which can reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance overall nervous system function.
8. Pain Neuroscience Education
Understanding pain through the lens of neuroscience can be empowering. By learning how your brain and nervous system contribute to your pain experience, you can reduce the fear and anxiety that often accompany chronic pain. This knowledge can also help you adopt more effective pain management strategies that address both the physical and psychological aspects of neck pain.
How to Prevent Neck Pain in the Future
Prevention is key to avoid recurrent neck pain. Here are some tips to keep your neck healthy and prevent neck pain:
- Ergonomics: If you find that certain postures "piss off" or strain your neck, then go ahead and change up how you sit or stand to relieve pain. It is important not to stress or obsess over your workspace set up. Your computer screen can be at eye level, below, or above and your chair can have support or nothing at all. It is dependent on the individual's experience and agitating factors.
- Regular Breaks: Take frequent breaks to stretch and move around, especially if you sit for long periods.
- Sleep Position: This is another topic where too many people spend too much of their time. Try to spend your efforts on things you can control like effort, exercise, nutrition, meditation, etc. When you fall asleep, you are unfortunately at the whim of your subconscious and can't really do much to prevent any awkward positions your body may slide into. Use a supportive pillow if you think it helps but most pillows out there are a marketing ploy to get your money. Find out what is comfortable for you and something that helps you fall asleep quickly. Want to sleep on your neck? Give it a shot! If it works well, awesome. If not, well, your tissues may not be ready for that level of tension.
- Exercise Regularly: Strengthening your neck, back, and shoulder muscles can help you feel strong, capable and resilient. Additionally, regular exercise boosts self-esteem and self-efficacy which are two strong traits to have under your belt when enduring an injury.
Final Thoughts on Neck Pain
Neck pain on the left side isn’t just a simple ache—it’s a complex issue that involves physical, neurological, and psychological factors. By understanding the underlying causes, recognizing the complexity of pain, and exploring various treatment options, including specialized chiropractic care and pain neuroscience education, you can take control of your neck pain and prevent it from interfering with your everyday life.
Remember, your health is worth prioritizing. If your neck pain persists or worsens, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice.
