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Mostly, neck pain goes away on its own. The same is the case with neck pain on the left side. However, it is better that you not leave it unchecked. After all, if it persists, it can be a sign of something serious. Moreover, seeking medical assistance on time will keep future problems at bay. So, seeing a specialist is essential! In this blog, we will talk about why you should not ignore your neck pain on the left side.
How Does Neck Pain on Left Side Feel Like?
Neck pain usually means discomfort in the neck region. Moreover, the neck region includes the neck bones (also known as vertebrae), joints, discs between the bones, nerves, and muscles. In many cases, neck pain also comes with stiffness. Plus, neck pain can make it hurtful to move your head. You may also feel numbness or tingling along with the pain. Also, neck pain can cause weakness in your shoulder or arm.
| Symptoms of Neck Pain |
| Stiffness with pain |
| Numbness or tingling |
| Dizziness or blackouts |
| Can’t move your head |
| Pain traveling to arm |
If you feel any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them. Moreover, seek professional diagnosis and treatment on an immediate basis. After all, the underlying cause can be something serious.
“Numerous factors can lead to neck pain on the left side. However, seeking timely treatment by a professional can work wonders in getting rid of the pain.” – Dr. Eric Freeman.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Neck Pain Left Side?
There are many reasons – causes – why you shouldn’t ignore your neck pain on the left side. Remember that neck pain on the left side can be the cause of something serious. Besides, anyone and everyone can go through pain in the neck region. However, some causes of the pain are quite common, like bad posture. On the other hand, several rare conditions and diseases lead to neck pain. Here, we will discuss the top causes so you know why you should ignore neck pain on the left side.
Whatever the cause is, Dr. NaPier’s Neck Pain Expertise is genuinely commendable. Find out yourself by booking an appointment.
| Do YouKnow? | Neck pain is among the top five common types of chronic pain. |
Inflammation
One of the most common causes of neck pain is inflammation. Moreover, inflammation usually means lymph nodes, joints, or nerves are swollen. It usually happens for a benign reason. However, it is usually nothing to worry about. Plus, you can remove the pain and swelling with some self-care. If you have swelling in the left side of your neck region, keep applying an ice pack or heating pad to your neck now and then during the first 48 hours. Apart from this, you can also take over-the-counter NSAIDs. However, you should see a specialist if the pain doesn’t go away with self-care.
Self-Care Tips
- Take proper rest
- Use an ice pack
- Take NSAIDs
Muscle Strain
Have you ever noticed your posture while using the computer? Because a bad posture can strain your muscles, resulting in pain. Apart from this, a poor sleeping position can also be the reason behind your muscle strain and pain. Therefore, you should carefully watch out for how you sleep or sit. After all, a prolonged poor posture can lead to long-term issues with strains and stiffness. And no one wants that, right? Most of the time, muscle strains can go away with some self-care and rest. You can take painkillers and use a hot or cold compress. Moreover, if the pain doesn’t go away, therapy can help.
Avoid:
- Sleeping in an awkward position
- Poor posture for several hours
- Overexerting neck muscles
Whiplash
A whiplash happens when the head is forcefully thrust back and forth. This usually happens to athletes like footballers. Also, a severe accident can lead to whiplash, too. Most of the time, doctors typically suggest painkillers to treat neck pain on the left side or muscle relaxants to reduce spasms. Also, you may have to get a foam collar to stabilize your neck. You can also self-care at home, like applying an ice pack or heating pad to manage the pain.
Helpful Tip for Using Collars!
You should not use foam collars for more than three hours at a time. This is because they can cause muscle weakness and limit your range of motion.
Torticollis
Another cause of neck pain on the left side is Torticollis. It is a condition when the neck suddenly contracts. Furthermore, it is also called wryneck. This causes your neck to bend, twist, or tilt to side one: left or right. This is one of the common causes of neck pain on the left side. You may be wondering why it happens. Well, it happens when you become ignorant about your health. In other words, it happens if you sleep without proper head support. Moreover, it can also occur due to prolonged neck exposure to cold temperatures.
How to Manage It?
- Massage
- Stretching
- Applying heat
Cervical radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy is also called a pinched nerve. This is another reason you can feel neck pain on the left side. Moreover, this condition occurs when a nerve root is squeezed or compressed. And this usually results from a herniated disc or bone spurs. Plus, the pain due to this condition travels down from your neck to your arm and then your hand. It also causes numbness and tingling in the neck and arm. Other symptoms include muscle weakness and reduced reflexes.
How to Manage it?
- Take proper rest
- Stretching exercises
- Apply ice pack
- Use a heating pad
When should you see a specialist for neck pain on the left side?
When the neck pain is mild or moderate, there is no need to see a specialist. After all, the pain will go away on its own after a few days. On the other hand, if the neck pain is acute, painkillers and muscle relaxants can help manage it. However, if the pain persists, you should see a specialist for treatment. The doctor will diagnose the root cause and suggest the most effective solution. This means there is no need to suffer in pain and face consequences later on when you can seek professional assistance to eliminate the pain and its cause.
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