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Almost everyone experiences neck pain at some point in their life. However, some people experience pain only on the left side of the neck, while the right side remains normal. Whether the pain is mild or severe, unilateral neck pain should still be monitored and treated promptly.
The neck has little cushioning support but bears significant pressure to support the head and perform continuous daily movements, making it highly susceptible to injury and pain.
- Pain occurs on the left side of the neck, either dull or severe, which worsens with movement or when holding the head in the same position for an extended period.
- Stiff neck joints, difficulty moving the neck.
- Headaches, dizziness, fatigue.
- Pain radiating along the nerve from the neck to the shoulders, shoulder blades, and arms.
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia if the pain persists.
2. Causes of left-sided neck pain
Muscle strain: The most common cause of neck pain is muscle strain, often due to overexertion, excessive exercise, poor sitting posture, sleeping with a pillow that is too high or too low, anxiety, or stress. These pains typically last about a week or just a few days.
Rheumatoid arthritis: This is a chronic autoimmune disease that damages the synovial membrane, cartilage, and subchondral bone, causing severe pain. The pain may initially start on one side, then gradually affect both sides, often appearing in the morning after waking up. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to permanent joint damage that is very difficult to cure.
Cervical disc herniation: When the outer fibrous ring of the disc tears or ruptures, it creates a gap through which the inner gel-like nucleus quickly protrudes, pressing on the spinal canal, nerve roots, and spinal cord membrane. Cervical disc herniation is more dangerous than lumbar disc herniation because the cervical spinal cord houses many vital centers. Patients often feel pain on both sides of the neck, radiating to the shoulders, arms, and hands, causing numbness, fatigue, and weakened movements. Without timely treatment, the condition can lead to serious complications such as impaired brain blood supply, sympathetic cervical syndrome, limb paralysis, or hemiplegia.
Cervical spondylosis (cervical spine degeneration): Over time, cervical discs get damaged, gradually flatten, and lose their shock-absorbing function between vertebrae. Ligaments harden, and bone overgrowth compresses the nerve roots, causing severe pain accompanied by neck stiffness. In some cases, patients may experience headaches at the back of the head or around the eye sockets. Causes include aging, trauma, depression, and improper neck movements.
Lung or diaphragm diseases: Left-sided or right-sided neck pain can also be a symptom of lung diseases or diaphragm-related issues, possibly caused by nerve pathways running from the spine through the lungs to the diaphragm.
3. When should you see a doctor?
You should seek medical attention if:
- The pain persists for more than a week without improvement.
- The pain intensifies to the point where you cannot work or it severely affects your daily activities.
- The pain spreads to your arms or even your legs.
4. How is neck pain treated?
Most people tend to self-medicate with painkillers, apply herbal compresses, or use traditional remedies to treat neck pain. However, after a while, the pain often returns, becoming chronic and harder to cure. Moreover, prolonged use of painkillers can lead to many side effects, while unverified folk remedies pose risks to health and even life.
In cases of muscle strain, patients may apply ice during the first one or two days to reduce pain and swelling. Place crushed ice in a towel or cold pack, apply it to the neck for 15 minutes, and repeat every 3 hours. However, this is only a temporary pain relief method, not a cure.
Modern medicine now offers a new method to effectively treat cervical spine-related conditions — Chiropractic Adjustment — a conservative treatment method highly regarded by medical experts.
In Vietnam, a treatment regimen combining Chiropractic Treatment and Physical Therapy has been successfully applied at ACC Clinic. The chiropractic specialists diagnose the root cause of the pain and develop a tailored treatment plan.
Through a non-drug, non-surgical regimen performed by an international team of chiropractic doctors, ACC Clinic has received numerous positive reviews, becoming a top choice for both domestic and international patients.
To learn more about chronic neck pain symptoms, please listen to useful insights from Dr. Wade Brackenbury (ACC Clinic) in the following video:
