Neck pain can happen to anyone. The neck is a vital part of the human body. This section provides support and mobility for the head. The neck contains the cervical spinal cord, muscles, and the major blood vessels that supply blood throughout the body.
The neck is very susceptible to injury. Many people experience temporary neck pain due to various daily activities and tasks. Even so, pain in the neck also cannot be underestimated.
Neck pain on the left side usually occurs due to harmless causes, such as muscle tension from sleeping in the wrong position or inflammation. However, left-sided neck pain that is severe and doesn’t go away may indicate a more serious medical condition.
What Causes Left Neck Pain?
Quoted from Medical News Today, there are many factors that can cause neck pain on the left side, including:
1. Muscle tension
Neck pain is often caused by muscle tension. Muscle strain can occur when a muscle or tendon is stretched or even torn. This condition occurs when the muscle does not fully release after contracting.
People can experience muscle tension in the neck due to:
- Sleeping in the wrong position, such as with the neck bent or twisted to one side
- Bending or leaning forward for several hours
- Overexerting the neck muscles when lifting heavy weights or exercising
2. Torticolis
Torticollis is a medical condition that causes the neck to bend, twist, or tilt to one side. This condition usually occurs when the neck muscles contract due to:
- Injury or accident
- Congenital defects
- Neurological conditions, such as stroke or compressed nerves
- Exposure to cold temperatures
Torticollis can resolve without treatment within a few days. Therapy, massage, and stretching exercises can help relax the affected muscles and reduce pain.
3. Pinched nerves
Cervical radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve, can occur when the nerve roots in the cervical spinal cord are compressed. A pinched nerve is caused by a herniated disk, bone spur, or inflammation. In addition, other symptoms are numbness or tingling in the arm, muscle weakness, and cervical spine stenosis.
Cervical spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal in the neck narrows, placing pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. Spinal stenosis is often age-related, affecting the spine.
A pinched nerve can cause neck pain that radiates to the arm. Symptoms develop gradually, and many people do not experience them during the early stages, which include:
- Pain or cramps in the neck
- Numbness or tingling that starts in the neck and spreads to the arms and hands
Watch Videos “Viral Stories of Employees with Chronic Neck Pain due to long hours of work“
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