Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMuscle StrainCervical Disc BulgeCervical StenosisThoracic Outlet SyndromeWhiplashHeart AttackLung CancerCervical FractureWhen to Get HelpSelf-TreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Muscle Strain
Cervical Disc Bulge
Cervical Stenosis
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Whiplash
Heart Attack
Lung Cancer
Cervical Fracture
When to Get Help
Self-Treatment
Prevention
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One of the most common causes of left-sided neck and shoulder pain is astrain. There are several muscles, includingthe uppertrapeziusand thesternocleidomastoid, that span between these two regions.
Strains can occur as a result of an acute event, like a fall, or chronic, repetitive neck or shoulder movements over time. Maintaining a static posture, like sitting at a computer for a long time, can also increase the tension in these structures and lead to a low-level strain.
Because these nerves control the sensation and strength in the upper extremities, this condition may cause symptoms in both the neck and shoulder.
The pain from abulged cervical discis typically shooting in nature. Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand may also be present. In addition, pain in the shoulder blade region may also be present.
Why Is There Pain in My Left Arm, and Does It Signal Something Serious?
Cervical stenosisoccurs when the spinal canal narrows, which then puts pressure on the spinal nerves. Like a disc bulge, this impingement irritates the nerve and causes shooting pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand. Stenosis may also cause numbness, tingling, or weakness in these areas.
While anyone can get this condition, it is more common in older individuals.
Thethoracicoutlet is a space in the lower neck through which thesubclavian artery,subclavian vein, andbrachial plexusnerve bundle pass.Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)occurs when one (or several) of these structures becomes compressed.
Thoracic outlet syndrome can happen for various reasons, including a traumatic injury, repetitive overuse of the neck or arm, or atypical anatomy (like the presence of anextra rib).
People with TOS generally complain of one-sided neck and shoulder pain and other symptoms like chest pain, a headache near the temples, and numbness or tingling in the fingers. Color changes in the arm or hand may also be noticeable if the subclavian vein or artery is compressed.
Whiplash injuriesare often seen after a traumatic incident like a car accident or a sports-related collision. This condition occurs when the neck moves in one direction and then the other in a rapid fashion. When this happens, the muscles, nerves, and ligaments in this area often become irritated, and one-sided pain in the neck and shoulder may be present.
Because the heart is located on the left side of the chest,pain that shoots into the left armand neck could indicate aheart attack. Other warning signs of this potentially fatal issue include tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, light-headedness, nausea, vomiting, and jaw or back pain.
Sometimes these symptoms begin gradually, while other times, they come on very quickly.If you suspect you are having a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
Can Stress Cause Left Shoulder and Neck Pain?Chronic stress can contribute to neck and shoulder pain on the left side. Under stress, you may find that your body tenses up, especially in the neck and shoulder areas, leading to pain and strain. Stress can also cause you to sleep in positions that strain your neck and shoulders. If you are experiencing persistent pain due to stress, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider.
Can Stress Cause Left Shoulder and Neck Pain?
Chronic stress can contribute to neck and shoulder pain on the left side. Under stress, you may find that your body tenses up, especially in the neck and shoulder areas, leading to pain and strain. Stress can also cause you to sleep in positions that strain your neck and shoulders. If you are experiencing persistent pain due to stress, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider.
On rare occasions, certain types oflung cancermay cause left-sided pain in the neck and shoulder. One rare version, called aPancoast tumor, causes sharp shoulder pain in its early stages.
Accompanying symptoms include neck, rib, shoulder blade, and chest wall pain. Upper arm swelling, chest tightness, hand tingling and weakness, fatigue, drooping of the eyelid, and unexplained weight loss may also be present.
Pancoast tumors are most commonly seen in people who smoke or have significant exposure to secondhand smoke.
On very rare occasions, a sudden twist or significant impact to the neck or head can cause one of the cervical vertebrae to fracture. This extremely serious condition can cause significant damage to the surrounding muscles, ligaments, nerves, and even the spinal cord.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If the neck and shoulder pain on your left side continues to get worse despite at-home treatments, call your healthcare provider. You should also call your provider if you recently experienced a trauma or injury.
Pain that occurs in this area suddenly for no apparent reason, or that radiates down your left side, should be treated as a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you are also experiencing:
Treatment for Left-Sided Neck and Shoulder Pain
Left-sided neck and shoulder pain from some conditions may benefit from certain at-home interventions. Common first-line treatments for cervical strains, disc herniations, and stenosis include:
If at-home treatments do not relieve your pain, contact your healthcare provider. Depending on the cause of your pain, several different medical interventions may be utilized. Among the most common are:
Use of Cervical CollarsSoft neck collars may help alleviate your neck pain, but it is best to seek out a healthcare provider’s recommendations first. Wearing this type of brace for too long may actually prolong your recovery.
Use of Cervical Collars
Soft neck collars may help alleviate your neck pain, but it is best to seek out a healthcare provider’s recommendations first. Wearing this type of brace for too long may actually prolong your recovery.
You may not be able to prevent every underlying cause of neck and shoulder pain on the left side. If you are experiencing pain due to stress, tension, bad posture, or muscle strain, there are a few techniques you can try to keep your neck and shoulders relaxed:
Summary
Many different conditions can cause neck and shoulder pain on the left side of your body. These range from commonplace diagnoses like a neck strain to urgent concerns like a heart attack. Paying attention to any corresponding symptoms can help diagnose the cause of your pain.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Neck sprains and strains.American Academy of Family Physicians.Herniated disc.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Cervical stenosis.Jones MR, Prabhakar A, Viswanath O, et al.Thoracic outlet syndrome: a comprehensive review of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Pain Ther. 2019;8(1):5-18. doi:10.1007/s40122-019-0124-2Johns Hopkins Medicine.Whiplash injury.American Heart Association.Warning signs of a heart attack.Moffitt Cancer Center.Pancoast tumor signs and symptoms.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Sports-related neck injury.Harvard Health Publishing.Say “good night” to neck pain.Moon S, Kim Y.Neck and shoulder pain with scapular dyskinesis in computer office workers.Medicina. 2023 Dec;59(12):2159. doi:10.3390/medicina59122159Kim SB, Kim SH, Lim OB, Yi CH, Han GH.Effects of a posture correction feedback system on neck and trunk posture and muscle activity during computer work.Int J Industrial Ergonomics. 2024 Jan;99(1):103540. doi:10.1016/j.ergon.2023.103540Harvard Health Publishing.Strength training relieves chronic neck pain.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Neck sprains and strains.American Academy of Family Physicians.Herniated disc.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Cervical stenosis.Jones MR, Prabhakar A, Viswanath O, et al.Thoracic outlet syndrome: a comprehensive review of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Pain Ther. 2019;8(1):5-18. doi:10.1007/s40122-019-0124-2Johns Hopkins Medicine.Whiplash injury.American Heart Association.Warning signs of a heart attack.Moffitt Cancer Center.Pancoast tumor signs and symptoms.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Sports-related neck injury.Harvard Health Publishing.Say “good night” to neck pain.Moon S, Kim Y.Neck and shoulder pain with scapular dyskinesis in computer office workers.Medicina. 2023 Dec;59(12):2159. doi:10.3390/medicina59122159Kim SB, Kim SH, Lim OB, Yi CH, Han GH.Effects of a posture correction feedback system on neck and trunk posture and muscle activity during computer work.Int J Industrial Ergonomics. 2024 Jan;99(1):103540. doi:10.1016/j.ergon.2023.103540Harvard Health Publishing.Strength training relieves chronic neck pain.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Neck sprains and strains.American Academy of Family Physicians.Herniated disc.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Cervical stenosis.Jones MR, Prabhakar A, Viswanath O, et al.Thoracic outlet syndrome: a comprehensive review of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Pain Ther. 2019;8(1):5-18. doi:10.1007/s40122-019-0124-2Johns Hopkins Medicine.Whiplash injury.American Heart Association.Warning signs of a heart attack.Moffitt Cancer Center.Pancoast tumor signs and symptoms.American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Sports-related neck injury.Harvard Health Publishing.Say “good night” to neck pain.Moon S, Kim Y.Neck and shoulder pain with scapular dyskinesis in computer office workers.Medicina. 2023 Dec;59(12):2159. doi:10.3390/medicina59122159Kim SB, Kim SH, Lim OB, Yi CH, Han GH.Effects of a posture correction feedback system on neck and trunk posture and muscle activity during computer work.Int J Industrial Ergonomics. 2024 Jan;99(1):103540. doi:10.1016/j.ergon.2023.103540Harvard Health Publishing.Strength training relieves chronic neck pain.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Neck sprains and strains.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Herniated disc.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Cervical stenosis.
Jones MR, Prabhakar A, Viswanath O, et al.Thoracic outlet syndrome: a comprehensive review of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Pain Ther. 2019;8(1):5-18. doi:10.1007/s40122-019-0124-2
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Whiplash injury.
American Heart Association.Warning signs of a heart attack.
Moffitt Cancer Center.Pancoast tumor signs and symptoms.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Sports-related neck injury.
Harvard Health Publishing.Say “good night” to neck pain.
Moon S, Kim Y.Neck and shoulder pain with scapular dyskinesis in computer office workers.Medicina. 2023 Dec;59(12):2159. doi:10.3390/medicina59122159
Kim SB, Kim SH, Lim OB, Yi CH, Han GH.Effects of a posture correction feedback system on neck and trunk posture and muscle activity during computer work.Int J Industrial Ergonomics. 2024 Jan;99(1):103540. doi:10.1016/j.ergon.2023.103540
Harvard Health Publishing.Strength training relieves chronic neck pain.
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