Throbbing pain in left shoulder and neck

Should I be concerned about the throbbing pain in my neck?

December 3rd, 2020

Table of Contents Show

Should I be concerned about the throbbing pain in my neck?
What causes a throbbing pain in the neck?
Treatment for throbbing pain in the neck
Visit Rehab Access for neck pain treatment
When to see a doctor
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Associated Procedures
News from Mayo Clinic
Products & Services
How do you know if left shoulder pain is heart related?
Why does my left shoulder keep throbbing?
When should I worry about my neck and shoulder pain?
When should I worry about left shoulder pain?

It’s normal to have neck pain at points in life. For example, if you go to sleep in an awkward position, you’ll likely wake up with neck pain. Usually, pain like this goes away after a little time or some home treatments and stretching. However, some types of neck pain last long or are more intense than usual. When accompanied by symptoms like a throbbing sensation, you might start to feel concerned.

A throbbing pain in your neck is usually not something life threatening or debilitating. It is painful and limits the use of your neck, but in many cases, it is treatable with physical therapy.

What causes a throbbing pain in the neck?

Throbbing pain in the neck is usually attributed to tight muscles or compressed nerves in the neck. The tightness of the muscles increases strain on the spine and other tissue in your neck, which can increase pressure on the nerves running through it.

The reason this happens can be as simple as overexertion or poor posture, but it could also be related to chronic conditions, including:

Herniated disc
Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
Strain
Arthritis
Gout
Diabetes

Treatment for throbbing pain in the neck

Treatments for neck pain vary depending on the exact cause of the pain and other factors, such as your age, weight and medical history. A physical therapist can examine your neck to identify the source of your pain. Using what they learn from your personal information and this examination, they can develop a personalized treatment routine to help you manage the pain and reach your recovery goals.

The methods used in your treatment vary depending on your condition, but you can usually expect treatment to include:

Stretches and exercises to improve strength and flexibility of key muscles in the neck.
Hands-on therapy to help reduce tension and break up any scar tissue.
Posture guidance to help you correct poor posture habits that increase stress on your neck.
Patient guidance for how to move around while recovering and to reduce your chances of making your pain worse.

Visit Rehab Access for neck pain treatment

Is a constant, throbbing neck pain making it difficult for you to move your neck around? This can make simple daily tasks, such as driving, more challenging or even unsafe. Our physical therapists at Rehab Access are here to help. We can examine your neck and guide you through a personalized treatment routine to help you manage your condition. Contact our team today for more information about treating neck pain or to schedule an initial appointment.

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.

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.
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Associated Procedures

News from Mayo Clinic

Products & Services

Seek emergency treatment if you have:.

Arm, shoulder or back pain that comes on suddenly, is unusually severe, or is accompanied by pressure, fullness or squeezing in your chest (this may signal a heart attack).

An obvious deformity or protruding bone in your arm or wrist, especially if you have bleeding or other injuries..

Why does my left shoulder keep throbbing?

The most common cause of shoulder pain occurs when rotator cuff tendons become trapped under the bony area in the shoulder. The tendons become inflamed or damaged. This condition is called rotator cuff tendinitis or bursitis.