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Neck Pain & Causes
Neck Pain & Causes

Neck pain

It is common for people to experience pain in the right side of the neck. In most cases, the pain occurs due to a muscle strain or another benign cause. People can often treat their pain using home remedies and medications. However, for severe or prolonged neck pain, it is best to see a doctor.

The neck is a vital part of the human body, comprising spinal bones, muscles, and other tissue. Unlike some other crucial parts of the body, the neck is exposed and at risk of injury. The neck is also prone to straining because people move it constantly throughout the day.

It is also common for a person to experience pain in connected areas, such as the shoulders, back, jaw, and head.

In this article, we discuss nine common causes of pain in the right side of the neck, as well as treatment options and when to see a doctor.

Causes of pain in the right side of the neck

Some of the most common causes of pain in the right side of the neck include the following:

1. Degeneration or wear and tear

Gradual wear and tear may cause pain on the right side of the neck.

The vertebrae and discs in the neck will wear down with age. As they degenerate, a person may experience chronic, or persistent, pain in the neck.

Some medical conditions can also cause the vertebrae, discs, and other parts of the neck to break down.

These conditions may include:

  • inflammation
  • pinched nerves
  • cervical fractures
  • arthritis
  • cervical disc degeneration

2. Bad sleeping position

It is common to wake up feeling stiffness or pain in the shoulders, back, or neck.The sleeping position that people adopt, the number of pillows that they use, and the firmness of the mattress can all affect how they feel waking up in the morning.

Falling asleep with either a lack of support for the head or the neck out of alignment increases the likelihood of waking up with a sore neck.

3. Non-specific neck pain

In some cases, it is difficult to identify the exact cause of neck pain.

Neck pain without an apparent cause often results from a minor sprain or tear to the muscle tissue. This type of pain is the most common neck pain.

The pain can sometimes be due to poor posture. Holding the neck out of alignment for extended periods can strain the muscles.

This is particularly true when a person is bent forward over their work for several hours during the day.

4. Stress and anxiety

Stress may cause the muscles to tighten. People often talk about holding tension in their neck and back, and they may feel pain from the excess strain.

5. Sudden-onset or acute torticollis

Torticollis is a medical condition in which the head becomes twisted to one side. It can be very painful to try to straighten out the head. The cause of torticollis is not always known.

Doctors suspect that most cases are due to minor ligament or muscle sprains in the neck, although exposing the neck to cold temperatures for an extended period could also be a cause.

Torticollis often occurs overnight, meaning that a person will have no symptoms when they go to bed but will wake up unable to move their neck. In most cases, the pain will subside after a few days and movement will return to normal.

Occasionally, torticollis may be a symptom of a more severe health issue. Some potential underlying causes of torticollis include tumors, infections, and side effects from taking medications.

6. Brachial plexus injury

If the nerves connecting the spinal cord to the hands are damaged, it may cause neck pain.

The American Society for Surgery of the Hand define the brachial plexus as a collection of nerves that connect the spinal cord in the neck to the hands.

If an injury to the neck affects the brachial plexus, pain may also occur in the hand.

A common cause of injury to the brachial plexus is blunt force trauma, which can happen as a result of a sporting injury or car accident.

7. Whiplash or a sudden jolt to the neck

Whiplash describes an injury to the neck where the head jolts forward and then back into place very quickly.

The movement resembles the crack of a whip. People tend to think of whiplash in relation to car accidents, but it can also occur as a result of sporting activities and other sudden movements.

8. Cervical radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy, which people often refer to as a pinched nerve, occurs when irritation of the nerves originating in the spinal cord in the neck causes pain to radiate down the arm.

Although this can result in pain in the neck, the primary symptoms include:

  • numbness in the arms
  • pins and needles in the arms
  • pain or weakness in part of the arms

The two most common causes of cervical radiculopathy are cervical spondylosis, or neck arthritis, and a prolapsed disc.

9. Rare causes of right side neck pain

There are less common causes of neck pain that may be more severe. These may include:

  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • cancer
  • serious injury
  • damage to the nerves, vertebrae, or spinal cord
  • infections
  • bone disorders