What causes neck pain on the left side?

Last Updated on July 19, 2025 by Sunit. S. Ekka

Key Takeaways: Left Side Neck Pain

• Common Causes: Cervical radiculopathy, muscle knots (trigger points), spasms, or arthritis.
• Red Flags: Numbness in hands, fever, or severe headaches need urgent medical care.
• Quick Relief: Heat therapy, gentle stretches, and posture correction often help.
• When to See a Physio: If pain lasts >1 week or spreads down the arm.

Neck pain experienced on the left side can be caused by various factors. It could be due to a pinched nerve that exits the left side of the neck and travels down to the left hand. Alternatively, it could simply be a muscular pain.

The pain is not usually limited to the neck but is also accompanied by pain in the shoulder, left arm, and forearm. This article will discuss the most common causes of left neck pain.

Left Side Neck Pain: 4 Most Common Causes (And How to Fix Them)

1. Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve in Neck)

If you are experiencing pain on the left side of your neck, which is also travelling down to your left arm and forearm, then you may have cervical radiculopathy.

It is a neurological disorder that occurs when the spinal nerve originating from the cervical region of our spine is compressed due to some underlying pathological reasons.

Our cervical spine has seven cervical vertebrae, ranging from C1 to C7, and eight cervical nerves originate from this region.

When these nerves are compressed, it creates a tingling or pulling sensation that travels down the arm and forearm, and in severe cases, it can even cause numbness in the fingers.

What Causes Cervical Radiculopathy? (The #1 Culprit)

The irritation or compression of the cervical spinal originating from the cervical region causes cervical radiculopathy. Various reasons can cause it, but the most common one is:

1. Cervical spondylosis.
2. Cervical disc herniation.
3. Spinal stenosis.

How to Treat Cervical Radiculopathy at Home

Mild cases of cervical radiculopathy can be managed at home by following simple tips and exercises.

We have already covered these exercises in one of my articles, “7 Easy Neck Exercises For Pinched Nerve To Cure Cervical Radiculopathy Permanently.” I recommend reading it carefully.

2. Muscle Knots (Myofascial Trigger Points) Causing Left Neck Pain

In my years of experience as a clinical practitioner, I have found that myofascial trigger points are a common yet often neglected cause of neck pain on either side.

This type of pain is usually felt as a dull, deep, aching sensation above the shoulder on the left side of the neck, and it may also affect both sides of the neck. The pain can be so intense that it may hinder your head’s movement and even spread to your hands.

Myofascial trigger points are hypersensitive spots or nodules found within a taut band in the muscle, sometimes referred to as muscle knots.

Though trigger points can be formed in any body muscle, when we have neck pain, the common muscles involved are levator scapulae, trapezius, and supraspinatus (see Fig).

In the figure:

• x (cross) represents the primary location of the trigger point.
• The dark colour area represents the primary area of symptom referral.
• The light colour represents the secondary area of symptoms, which are sometimes absent.

• Red-Middle Trapezius
• Blue-Lower Trapezius
• Green-Supraspinatus

What Causes Muscle Knots in the Neck? (Avoid These Habits)

• A poor posture like forward head posture.
• Overuse of muscles and prolonged immobility are perpetuating factors of myofascial pain.
• Impaired sleep, postural imbalances.
• Nutritional issues.

To treat trigger points, a combination of neck exercises, self-massage techniques, and physiotherapy can be helpful.

3-Step Guide to Relieve Neck Muscle Knots Fast

Read this article that covers every aspect of muscle knots and trigger points in one of my beautiful articles: What are muscle knots? how to get rid of muscle knots.

3. Left Neck Pain from Muscle Spasms: Symptoms & Quick Relief

A neck muscle spasm, also known as a neck cramp, is a sudden and involuntary contraction of the muscles in the neck. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as poor posture, stress, overuse of the muscles, or sudden movement.

Neck muscle spasms can be quite painful and can limit your ability to move your neck and head. In some cases, they can even cause headaches or migraines.

3-Step Guide to Relieve Neck Muscle Knots Fast

If you are experiencing muscle spasms, it’s important to rest and avoid any activities that may worsen the condition. You can also use a cervical collar to support your neck while you go about your daily routine.

Applying heat therapy is an effective way to manage muscle spasms. You can use hot fomentation three times a day for better results. Infrared lamps are also a great source of heat treatment.

To get the best results, apply a good pain balm to the affected area and let it absorb into your skin for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, apply heat therapy using an infrared lamp, electric heating pad, or hot water bottle. However, using an infrared lamp is usually my preferred method.

If the spasms persist or are accompanied by other symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention to rule out any underlying conditions.

4. Rare But Serious Causes of Left Side Neck Pain

• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Meningitis
• Congenital abnormalities like scoliosis torticollis.

Keep Reading: To Fix Reverse Cervical Lordosis Follow These 5 Easy Exercises

FAQ

Sunit. S. Ekka

The author is a physiotherapist who has been practising for the last 17 years. He holds a Bachelor's in Physiotherapy (BPT) from SVNIRTAR (Swami Vivekananda National Institute of Rehabilitation and Research), one of the prestigious physiotherapy schools in India.

Whatever he learns dealing with his patient, he shares it with the world through blogs and e-books. He also owns a YouTube channel, "Sunit Physiotherapist" with over 8 lakh active subscribers. Here, he shares everything he gets to learn serving the patient.