What causes neck pain when taking a deep breath?

Valsalva Maneuver: Neck pain with a deep breath or pain when you bear down like when you are having a bowel movement is called Valsalva Maneuver and may indicate the presence of stenosis in the neck, a narrowing of the spinal canal. If it persists, or if you also have pain or numbness that radiates into your arms, you may need to be evaluated by a physician and may need an MRI of your neck.