Left-sided neck pain is commonly caused by muscle strain or poor posture. Seek emergency care if it comes with chest pain or shortness of breath.
Common causes
- Muscle strain or poor posture.
- Sleeping position.
- Pinched nerve.
- Cervical arthritis.
- Whiplash.
- Swollen lymph node.
Home care
Heat, gentle stretching and NSAIDs.
Heart warning
Left neck pain with chest pressure, shortness of breath or sweating may be a heart attack. Call 911.
Stroke warning
Neck pain with a severe headache or weakness.
See a doctor
If pain persists past a week.
Musculoskeletal causes
Left neck pain is often from muscle strain, poor posture, sleeping position, whiplash, or cervical spine problems such as degenerative disc disease and pinched nerves. Prolonged phone and computer use (“tech neck”) adds load. Looking down 60 degrees can place about 60 pounds of force on the neck, according to a 2014 study in Surgical Technology International.
- Cervical radiculopathy causes pain, numbness or weakness spreading down the arm.
- Swollen lymph nodes from infection cause tender lumps.
- Neck pain from a swollen thyroid or salivary gland is less common.
Warning signs
Neck pain with chest pressure, arm pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath or sweating can signal a heart attack, so call emergency services. Sudden severe neck pain with headache, vision changes, weakness, facial droop or speech difficulty can indicate stroke or carotid or vertebral artery dissection. Neck pain with fever, stiff neck and headache suggests meningitis. For ordinary strain, heat, gentle stretching, NSAIDs and posture changes help, and most cases resolve in weeks.
Musculoskeletal causes
Left neck pain often comes from muscle strain, poor posture, sleeping position, whiplash, cervical disc problems or arthritis. Looking down at phones adds load on the neck.
Warning signs
Seek emergency care for neck pain with chest pain, arm pain, shortness of breath, stiff neck with fever, numbness or weakness, since it can reflect heart issues or meningitis.
Possible causes
Left sided neck pain is most often a muscle strain from poor posture, sleeping position or looking at a phone, with typical relief in a few days to two weeks. Other causes are cervical spondylosis, pinched nerve (radiculopathy), whiplash, swollen lymph nodes, and a stiff neck from infection.
Red flags
Seek emergency help if neck and arm pain come with chest pressure, shortness of breath or sweating, since left sided pain can accompany a heart attack. Also urgent are fever with a stiff neck and headache (possible meningitis), numbness or weakness, loss of bladder control, or severe pain after trauma. Treatment for strain includes heat or ice, gentle stretching, over the counter pain relievers as directed, and physical therapy. Persistent pain beyond six weeks needs evaluation.
Based on data from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Heart Association
