Neck Pain When You Turn Your Head? Why You Can't Look Over One Shoulder
Look at the red line in the photo, running from just behind the ear down to the top of the shoulder. If that's where it hurts when you turn your head, you know how annoying it is. You try to check your blind spot while changing lanes on Waiyaki Way, and your neck stops halfway with a sharp pull. You can't see your right shoulder, so you end up turning your whole body instead. Even turning to answer a colleague hurts.
It's not usually serious, but it's painful, nagging and it gets in the way of everything.
What's happening in your neck
The muscles on the side of your neck run from behind your ear down to your collarbone and shoulder. They turn and tilt your head. When they've been holding your head in one position for too long, tension slowly builds up in them, day after day. Eventually the muscle tightens up and pulls, like a rope that's been knotted. Now when you try to turn your head, the tight muscle won't stretch, and you feel a sharp pain on the side of your neck.
What builds up the tension
- Phones and laptops: looking down or to one side at a screen for hours
- Desk setup: a screen placed off to one side, so your head is always turned
- Sleeping habits: sleeping on your stomach with your head turned, or using a heavy, high pillow
- Carrying a bag on the same shoulder every day
- Stress: your shoulders creep up and your neck stays tense without you noticing
Signs this is your type of neck pain
- Pain on one side of your neck when you turn your head
- You can't turn far enough to see over that shoulder
- A tight, tender muscle you can feel from behind your ear down to your shoulder
- A nagging ache that gets worse by the end of the day
- Sometimes a headache on the same side
What helps today
- Heat on the side of your neck for 15 to 20 minutes
- Gentle turns to each side within comfort, a few times every hour; don't force it
- Move your screen so it's straight in front of you
- Switch bag shoulders, or use a backpack
How Katasi Physiotherapy frees your neck
We find exactly which muscles are tight and how far your neck turns on each side. Then we release the tension with hands-on therapy, massage and dry needling, gently loosen the stiff neck joints, and give you simple stretches and strengthening exercises. We'll also look at your workstation and sleeping position so the tension doesn't build up again. Most people can turn their head noticeably further by the end of the first session.
Read more: Woke Up With a Stiff Neck?, "Text Neck": Why Your Head Feels Heavy and Neck Pain From Office Work?
See a doctor straight away if
Your neck pain started after an accident or fall, comes with fever, a severe headache, dizziness, or numbness or weakness in your arms.
Book in Westlands
Check your blind spot without the sharp pull. Visit Katasi Physiotherapy at Kerai Office, Mogotio Road off Muthithi Road, Westlands, Nairobi. Call or WhatsApp 0705 717 353 to book. Open Monday to Friday 7am–6pm and Saturday 8am–4pm.
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