text: pains in middle upper right shoulder, neck and head? i get pains in the middle upper right shoulder going up into my neck and head. when i sleep it is much worse. there could be a variety of reasons-trapped nerve being one of them. are your pillows supporting your neck and head properly? i have the same pains,but mine is down to injury resulting in degenerated neck discs. see your doctor,who will probably want you to have x-rays to help pinpoint the source of the problem.