Why Do I Only Get Left-Side Neck Pain?

Your neck plays an important role in your overall health. It contains major blood vessels and your cervical spine, the first seven vertebrae that protect your spinal cord from damage.

The muscles and tendons that provide structure to your neck are vulnerable to injury, however. Studies show that during any given year, 30-50% of Americans experience neck pain which often becomes chronic.

When neck pain concentrates on your left side, visit Rudy Malayil, MD, and our team at Pain Management 360 in Huntington, Hurricane, and Charleston, West Virginia. We diagnose the root cause of your neck pain and develop a personalized treatment plan just for you. 

We offer a wide range of interventional pain management strategies to treat left-side neck pain, including spinal cord stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, and nerve blocks. Let’s take a look at what causes neck pain on your left side and how you can get relief.

Muscle strain

Strenuous or repetitive activities can put a lot of strain on the muscles in your neck, leading to stiffness, pain, and a loss of range of motion. While muscle strain can affect either side of your neck, you may notice left-side pain as a result of:

• Holding your phone between your shoulder and ear for long periods
• Hunching or leaning toward a computer screen or desk
• Sleeping with your neck bent or twisted
• Overexertion
• Stress

Gentle heat or ice can be applied to relax your neck muscles and ease your pain. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also be used to reduce pain and inflammation.

Certain adjustments to your lifestyle or routine may be required to give your neck a break. Use a headset to take phone calls hands-free, and make sure your desk, computer, and chair are set up so your neck isn’t bent or twisted while you work.

Torticollis

Torticollis, also known as cervical dystonia, causes your neck muscles to contract on one side. This medical condition may be brought on by an injury, congenital irregularity, or neurological disorder. It may also be a side effect of certain medications or stress.

A mild case of torticollis on your left side often resolves on its own within several days. If it persists, we may recommend gentle stretches, heat therapy, or massage to ease muscle tension and pain.

Cervical radiculopathy

When it develops on your left side, cervical radiculopathy causes pain, numbness, and tingling that may move down into your left shoulder, arm, and hand. You might also experience muscle weakness or reduced reflexes.

The condition, which is also known as a pinched nerve, occurs when one of the nerves in your spinal cord becomes compressed or irritated due to inflammation, bone spurs, or disk herniation. Depending on your level of pain, your treatment may include:

• Ice and heat therapy
• NSAIDs and other over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen 
• A splint or cervical collar to immobilize the area
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroids

If your pinched nerve doesn’t respond to non-invasive options, surgery may be necessary to solve nerve compression issues, though this is usually rare. 

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis causes spaces in your spinal canal to narrow, creating tension in your spinal cord and irritation of the nerves that branch off from it. Conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis may lead to spinal stenosis.

Some people experience no symptoms, while others have symptoms that gradually worsen over time. Along with pain and cramping in the left side of your neck, you may experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm, hand, or leg(s). 

Conservative strategies such as physical therapy, heat, or massage can be used to relieve the pressure on your spine and manage your symptoms. In severe cases of spinal stenosis, we may implant a spinal cord stimulator — a device that releases electrical impulses to block nerve pain signals from reaching your brain.

Don’t wait to treat your neck pain

While mild left-side neck pain may not be a cause for concern, delaying treatment for extreme or persistent pain puts you at risk of further injury and complications. In rare instances, neck pain on your left side could indicate a serious problem such as a cervical fracture or spinal tumor.

For innovative chronic neck pain solutions, contact Pain Management 360 by calling our location nearest you today or requesting an appointment online anytime.