Left side shoulder and neck pain associated with headaches

Overview

Neck pain is common. Poor posture — whether from leaning over a computer or hunching over a workbench — strains neck muscles. Osteoarthritis also is a common cause of neck pain.

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When to see a doctor
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Associated Procedures
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Why does the left side of my head neck and shoulder hurt?
Why do I have a headache and my shoulders hurt?
What causes one side headache and neck pain?
How do you relieve neck and shoulder pain from a headache?

Rarely, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem. Seek medical care for neck pain with numbness or loss of strength in the arms or hands or for pain that shoots into a shoulder or down an arm.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Pain that's often worsened by holding the head in one place for long periods, such as when driving or working at a computer
Muscle tightness and spasms
Decreased ability to move the head
Headache

When to see a doctor

Seek immediate care if severe neck pain results from an injury, such as a motor vehicle accident, diving accident or fall.

Contact a health care provider if neck pain:

Is severe
Persists for several days without relief
Spreads down arms or legs
Comes with headache, numbness, weakness or tingling

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Causes

Because the neck supports the weight of the head, it can be at risk of injuries and conditions that cause pain and restrict motion. Neck pain causes include:

Muscle strains. Overuse, such as too many hours hunched over a computer or a smartphone, often triggers muscle strains. Even minor things, such as reading in bed, can strain neck muscles.
Worn joints. As with other joints in the body, neck joints tend to wear with age. In response to this wear and tear, the body often forms bone spurs that can affect joint motion and cause pain.
Nerve compression. Herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of the neck can press on the nerves branching out from the spinal cord.
Injuries. Rear-end auto collisions often result in whiplash injury. This occurs when the head jerks backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck.
Diseases. Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer, can cause neck pain.

Prevention

Most neck pain is associated with poor posture combined with age-related wear and tear. To help prevent neck pain, keep your head centered over your spine. Some simple changes in your daily routine may help. Consider trying to:

Use good posture. When standing and sitting, be sure your shoulders are in a straight line over your hips and your ears are directly over your shoulders. When using cell phones, tablets and other small screens, keep your head up and hold the device straight out rather than bending your neck to look down at the device.
Take frequent breaks. If you travel long distances or work long hours at your computer, get up, move around, and stretch your neck and shoulders.
Adjust your desk, chair and computer so that the monitor is at eye level. Knees should be slightly lower than hips. Use your chair's armrests.
If you smoke, quit. Smoking can increase the risk of developing neck pain.
Avoid carrying heavy bags with straps over your shoulder. The weight can strain your neck.
Sleep in a healthy position. Your head and neck should be aligned with your body. Use a small pillow under your neck. Try sleeping on your back with your thighs elevated on pillows, which will flatten your spinal muscles.
Stay active. If you don't move much, increase your activity level.

Aug. 25, 2022

Neck pain. American College of Rheumatology. https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Living-Well-with-Rheumatic-Disease/Neck-Pain. Accessed June 30, 2022.
Isaac Z, et al. Evaluation of the adult patient with neck pain. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 30, 2022.
Miller M, et al., eds. Degenerative conditions of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine. In DeLee, Drez, and Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Elsevier, 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed June 30, 2022.
Neck pain. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/neck-pain. Accessed June 30, 2022.
Isaac Z. Management of non-radicular neck pain in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 30, 2022.
Neck pain. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Neck-Pain. Accessed June 30, 2022.
Kazeminasab S, et al. Neck pain: Global epidemiology, trends and risk factors. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022; doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04957-4.
Too much screen time? Sit up straight to avoid painful tech neck. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine. https://findado.osteopathic.org/too-much-screen-time-sit-up-straight-to-avoid-painful-tech-neck. Accessed June 30, 2022.

Associated Procedures

News from Mayo Clinic

Products & Services

Why does the left side of my head neck and shoulder hurt?

Tension or muscle strain Tension and muscle strain are some of the biggest culprits behind pain on the neck's left side. When the tendon or neck muscle is torn or overstretched, muscle strain occurs. Tension in muscle is when it doesn't relax fully after contracting.

Why do I have a headache and my shoulders hurt?

Tension headaches occur when neck, shoulder, and scalp muscles become tense. Some people experience tension headaches from time to time; others get them more often. While a tension headache is rarely debilitating, it can certainly make life miserable.

What causes one side headache and neck pain?

Arthritis, neck sprains or a neck fracture can also lead to cervicogenic headaches. Sleep position and your posture at work might also trigger this type of headache. The signs of a cervicogenic headache are somewhat different from other types of headaches. Often, you'll feel pain on one side of the head.

How do you relieve neck and shoulder pain from a headache?

Cold therapy decreases blood flow and reduces muscle spasms and inflammation, relieving pain. A cold pack placed on the forehead, temple, or neck may be useful when treating neck pain and headache. People who have migraines may find ice packs bring more relief than hot packs.