OpenHealth Q&A

Strange Neck and Shoulder Discomfort

Greetings, I’m a 14-year-old male seeking some clarity on a peculiar issue I’ve been experiencing. I hope it's nothing serious, but I would appreciate your input. Yesterday, around 1 PM, I found myself in a bookstore where I had to turn my head to the right at a considerable angle—roughly 75-80 degrees—for about twenty minutes as I browsed through various titles. In hindsight, perhaps scanning the titles sideways would have been a smarter choice, but that’s a missed opportunity now. Shortly after selecting some books, I became aware of a slight pain on the right side of my neck. Initially, I brushed it off as a result of the awkward angle, even though I don’t generally experience discomfort from head movements. However, as the hours passed, the discomfort intensified, especially when I tried to turn my head to the left—an unusual reaction. It’s worth noting that prior to feeling this twinge, I had engaged in an hour of badminton and stretching about forty minutes earlier; however, I hadn’t detected any issues until I was about to leave the shop. Upon arriving home, I noticed the discomfort had worsened, now radiating to my right shoulder—this was roughly two hours after the initial sensation. While looking in the mirror, I observed that my right shoulder appeared elevated compared to my left. I attempted to lower it but found that I was unable to do so, which felt strange because raising my left shoulder was easy, though I also couldn’t lower it any further. As the day transitioned into evening, the discomfort spread to my shoulder blades and the left side of my neck and shoulder, albeit to a lesser degree than on the right side. This morning, most of the pain had subsided, likely due to using a hot water bottle on the affected area during the night. However, as the day unfolded, the discomfort gradually resurfaced. At the time of writing this (around 6 PM), I’m now also hearing strange clicking and crackling sounds emanating from my neck, shoulders, and back of my head. Currently, I’m experiencing pain when tilting my head to the right, particularly near the bottom of my neck, and when I tilt or turn to the left, I feel similar discomfort in my left shoulder and the left side of my neck. There is also pain in the back region of my neck and shoulders when looking upwards, with a milder sensation when lowering my chin to my chest. The most intense pain occurs when tilting or turning left, followed by backward tilting, then right, with forward tilting causing the least pain. I’m keen to understand what might be causing these symptoms. It doesn't seem like typical growing pains to me. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, I only play badminton once a week, and I haven’t lifted any heavy objects in the past week. Just to clarify, I am not taking any medications and don’t have any ongoing health concerns.

Answers (1)

2/8/2026, 7:30:37 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you're experiencing discomfort in your neck and shoulder after holding your head in an awkward position for an extended period. This type of pain is often due to muscle strain or tension, particularly if you've been in a position that doesn't support your neck properly.

Explanation

Your neck and shoulder discomfort is likely caused by muscle strain resulting from prolonged awkward positioning while browsing books. The twisting and holding your head at a sharp angle can lead to overuse of certain muscles, resulting in pain and limitation in movement. The elevated shoulder and the clicking sounds you mentioned might indicate muscle tension or minor musculoskeletal changes; however, these symptoms are generally not serious in young, healthy individuals.

Next Steps

1. Rest and Avoid Strain: It's important to give your neck and shoulders a break. Avoid activities that require turning or lifting with your neck.

2. Apply Heat or Cold: Hot water bottles can help relax tight muscles, as you noted. Consider alternating with cold packs—especially if there’s swelling—by using them for about 15-20 minutes every few hours.

3. Gentle Stretching: Once the initial pain subsides, gentle neck stretches may help ease tension. Focus on slowly tilting your head side to side and forward and backward without forcing any movements. Stop if you feel increased pain.

4. Posture Awareness: Be mindful of your posture when sitting, standing, or using your phone. Consider using a more supportive position when reading or browsing.

5. Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms over the next few days. If you notice that the pain worsens, persists after several days of rest, or is accompanied by other symptoms (like numbness or severe weakness), it may be worth seeking further evaluation.

If you have any more questions or your symptoms change, feel free to ask! Remember, your body often communicates when adjustments are needed, so listening to those signals is important.