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What Causes Pain On Left Side Of Neck?
Question: Thank you. for 2 months I've had a pain in the left side of my neck. I've seen a chiropractor and massage therapist without any positive results. In the past few days I've had great difficulty in moving my head to the L or R and now pain when I lift my head up from a sleeping position or virtually and upward lifting.
To my knowledge I have experienced no injury (trauma) to my neck or elsewhere. Aleve does not help.
I have Hydrocodone from a past knee replacement but hesitate to take it.
Suggestions?
Again, thanks for any suggestions.
XXXXXXX
To my knowledge I have experienced no injury (trauma) to my neck or elsewhere. Aleve does not help.
I have Hydrocodone from a past knee replacement but hesitate to take it.
Suggestions?
Again, thanks for any suggestions.
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Possible cervical arthritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
It appears to be muscular pain, however, vertebrae causes require evaluation.
I will need few more history:
a. Is the pain localized? Does pressing the muscle, increase pain - Then it is possibly muscular in nature.
b. If not muscular, possible vertebrae cause, like cervical arthritis. If the pain is more after getting up from sleep and reduces as the day progresses, then its cervical arthritis.
If its muscular pain, muscle relaxant should help. Rather than hydrocodone, you can go for a muscle relaxant.
If its cervical arthritis, you will require a cervical collar to reduce pain. Also neck exercises to strengthen neck muscles. You need to get an X-ray of cervical vertebrae or an MRI for confirmation.
Massages could sometimes increase pain, if the diagnosis, they are thinking is wrong. Try wearing cervical collar for now. Hard collar or soft collar would be helpful.
Hope it helps.
Do get back with answers.
Dr. Prakash HM
Possible cervical arthritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
It appears to be muscular pain, however, vertebrae causes require evaluation.
I will need few more history:
a. Is the pain localized? Does pressing the muscle, increase pain - Then it is possibly muscular in nature.
b. If not muscular, possible vertebrae cause, like cervical arthritis. If the pain is more after getting up from sleep and reduces as the day progresses, then its cervical arthritis.
If its muscular pain, muscle relaxant should help. Rather than hydrocodone, you can go for a muscle relaxant.
If its cervical arthritis, you will require a cervical collar to reduce pain. Also neck exercises to strengthen neck muscles. You need to get an X-ray of cervical vertebrae or an MRI for confirmation.
Massages could sometimes increase pain, if the diagnosis, they are thinking is wrong. Try wearing cervical collar for now. Hard collar or soft collar would be helpful.
Hope it helps.
Do get back with answers.
Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you for your suggestions.
Answers to your questions: Pressing on area does not particularly increase discomfort. What would you suggest for a muscle relaxant? Is it OTC?
I do sense some throbbing in the area. The pain seemed to decrease during the day and got worse as the day wore on. This is the way its been for several days.
I tried to hit the sack any could not get comfortable on my pillow.
Thank you very much for your suggestions.
XXXXXX
Thank you for your suggestions.
Answers to your questions: Pressing on area does not particularly increase discomfort. What would you suggest for a muscle relaxant? Is it OTC?
I do sense some throbbing in the area. The pain seemed to decrease during the day and got worse as the day wore on. This is the way its been for several days.
I tried to hit the sack any could not get comfortable on my pillow.
Thank you very much for your suggestions.
XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Yes, available OTC. Might need evaluation for cervical arthritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking again.
Yes, muscle relaxants along with analgesics as combination could be useful. Muscle relaxants like chlorzaxozone could be helpful in combination. However, it does not appear to be muscular and more of orthopedic problem.
If the pain does not reduce, meet your doctor to get an X-ray/ MRI done for evaluation of cervical arthritis. Also use cervical collar and try mild neck exercises to strengthen neck muscles.
Hope it helps.
Do get back with answers.
Dr. Prakash HM
Yes, available OTC. Might need evaluation for cervical arthritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking again.
Yes, muscle relaxants along with analgesics as combination could be useful. Muscle relaxants like chlorzaxozone could be helpful in combination. However, it does not appear to be muscular and more of orthopedic problem.
If the pain does not reduce, meet your doctor to get an X-ray/ MRI done for evaluation of cervical arthritis. Also use cervical collar and try mild neck exercises to strengthen neck muscles.
Hope it helps.
Do get back with answers.
Dr. Prakash HM
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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