Severe neck pain left side base of skull

Temporary neck pain is a common occurrence among many individuals, and it can happen due to everyday tasks and exercises. Neck pain is also considered among the most common chronic pains. If you’re experiencing neck pain on the left side, it can occur because of muscle strain due to sleeping in an abnormal position or swelling.
However, if you have excruciating or continuous pain on the left side of the neck, the cause can be an underlying medical issue.
Below we will discuss a few causes of pain on the left side of the neck and when to visit a doctor.

Causes of neck pain on the left side

Muscle strain or tension

Neck pain on the left or right side is often caused by muscle tension or muscle strain.
While a muscle strain happens when a tendon or muscle is stretched too much. Muscle tension happens when a muscle is unable to release completely after contraction.
Here are the causes of muscle strain or tension in the neck.

  • Sleeping in a bad position
  • Hunching over for long hours
  • Talking over the phone while holding it in between shoulder and ear
  • Putting too much pressure on muscles while exercising
  • Injury
  • Teeth grinding
  • Stress or anxiety

Symptoms:

  • Pain or stiffness in the neck
  • Inflammation in neck or shoulder
  • Numbness in the arms
  • Headaches

Torticollis:

This condition causes bending or twisting of the neck to one side. It happens when the muscles of the neck contract because of:

  • Stroke
  • Compressed nerves
  • Accidents
  • Exposure to cold temperatures
  • Emotional stress

Symptoms may include:

  • Pain and discomfort when trying to straighten or move the neck
  • Headaches
  • Issues with vision
  • Difficulty balancing
  • Walking issues
  • Nausea
  • Fever

Cervical radiculopathy

Pitched nerve happens when the nerve root that resides in the cervical spinal cord is squeezed due to swelling, herniated disk, or bone spurs. This condition can cause pain in the neck that goes down the arm and extends to the hand.
Additional symptoms:

  • Numbness in the arm
  • Muscle fragility
  • Feeling uncomfortable tingling
  • Vague reflexes

Cervical spinal stenosis

This condition is a result of narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck, which puts pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord.
It can also happen due to other causes such as:

  • Degenerative joint disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Spine injuries

The symptoms build up slowly, and many patients don’t experience anything during the initial stages.
They include:

  • Weakness in hands or fingers
  • Neck pain
  • Numbness in the neck reaching down the hands

Rare causes

Neck pain on the left side may indicate less common but more severe medical conditions, such as:

  • Spinal tumors
  • Birth defects
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Infections
  • Trauma

When to see a doctor

If the pain on the left side of the neck is mild, it is not compulsory to see a doctor.
However, if you have excruciating, continuous neck pain along with other symptoms, visit your doctor as soon as possible. The other symptoms that may occur are vomiting, fever, or reduced balancing capabilities.

Severe neck pain left side base of skull

Why am I feeling neck pain at the base of my skull?

There could be a number of reasons why you’re feeling neck pain at the base of your skull, and many people seek to treat this pain as quickly as possible since it can trigger headaches. 

Neck pain is one of the most common types of pain among American adults. Medical research reports that at any given time, 5.8% of women and 4% of men are dealing with neck pain. Determining the cause of the neck pain at the base of your skull is the first step toward treating it. A physical therapist can help you learn what could be causing your neck pain, and they can offer effective treatment for your neck pain, too. 

Three common causes of neck pain at the base of the skull

The base of the skull is where your cervical spine, or neck, connects to your head. Feeling pain in this area can often be linked to conditions like: 

  1. Suboccipital muscle issues — The suboccipital muscles are a group of four neck muscles that run between the neck and skull. Their job is to help extend and rotate the head. Poor posture and other issues can lead to tension and pain in these muscles. 
  1. A herniated cervical disc — Each of the seven cervical vertebrae has a disc that cushions it. These discs are named C1 through C7. A herniated cervical disc between C1 and C2 can trigger pain that feels like it’s right at the base of your skull. 
  1. Occipital neuralgia — This issue occurs when one of your occipital nerves is pinched, irritated or damaged. Occipital neuralgia tends to cause throbbing, sharp or electriclike pain where your neck meets your skull. The pain may also radiate into one side of your scalp. 

How can physical therapists treat the neck pain at the base of your skull?

Treating your upper neck pain is a task that physical therapists are perfect for. One reason this is true is that these specialists are trained to treat musculoskeletal disorders that affect the neck. Another reason is that they have many therapy techniques at their disposal. A few of the techniques your therapist may use to address your pain include: 

  • Spinal manipulation
  • Active Release Techniques®
  • Therapeutic exercises
  • Graston Technique®
  • Functional rehabilitation

Find help for the neck pain at the base of your skull at SOL PT

Tired of feeling neck pain at the base of your skull? Our SOL Physical Therapy team is ready and willing to help you find treatment for your pain. Our specialists can evaluate your neck to determine the exact cause of your neck pain. Then, we can build you a unique therapy plan designed to: 

  • Reduce your pain.
  • Improve your neck mobility. 
  • Increase your ability to do normal neck-related activities. 
  • Decrease your risk of future neck issues. 

You’ll also be able to sign up for virtual therapy sessions with us that can allow you to get help right from home. 

Contact our team today for more information about our neck pain treatment services or to schedule your initial appointment. 

What causes severe neck pain at the base of the skull?

The 5 major causes of neck pain at the base of the skull are muscle strain, facet, disc, ligament, or nerve injury. Treatment options depend upon the underlying cause of the pain.

When should I worry about neck pain on left side?

Pain on the left side of your neck that lasts for more than a week and doesn't respond to treatment should be evaluated by a doctor. If you start to feel pain running down your arms or legs, or you feel a numbness or tingling sensation in your neck, see a doctor as soon as you can.

Why does the left side of the base of my skull hurt?

So you've Googled 'Pain at the base of my skull' and you're wondering what's causing it… In a nutshell, the cause of the pain is usually down to a tension headache. Tension headaches are caused as a result of muscle tension and trigger points which build up in the surrounding muscles of the neck and head.

Why does the left side of the base of my neck hurt?

Most of the time, severe neck pain on the left side is the result of physical exertion or sleeping in an uncomfortable position. Improper posture, when seated for long periods, is also a common cause. However, if your pain persists for a long time, you may be suffering from something more serious.