One-sided neck pain sufferers often experience higher levels of pain and loss of movement when compared to the base of the skull pain. It can feel like the neck is “catching” when trying to look over the shoulder. The pain usually starts in the upper back or shoulder and may feel like a knot “that never seems to go away,” extending into the upper neck. Some people may also feel or hear a crunching sound when rolling their shoulder blade on the painful side or a crunching sound in the neck when rotating the neck in circles. Neck pain sufferers may find themselves trying to stretch and “crack” their neck for relief, often finding the relief temporary. When the pain is quite bad, it may also affect sleep; some will blame the pillow and find themselves constantly looking for the “perfect” pillow, usually in vain, as the underlying issue is the neck itself. This type of neck pain may cause one-sided headaches and refer a dull ache down the back of the arm.
For one-sided neck pain, the tension and dysfunction tend to be more concentrated than the base of skull pain, so it’s crucial to get a more targeted treatment. The key muscles involved are the levator scapulae, sub occipitals, splenius capitis/cervicis, and the upper cervical vertebra (C1-C2) and lower (C5). Addressing all these areas is essential for effective results. In my experience, this is why many people with one-sided neck pain struggle to find relief, as adjustments often have little effect on the muscles, and massages have little impact on the spinal joints. Kieran regularly treats people who spend months getting ineffective treatment and get better results in a matter of weeks.
