Stiff neck caused by emotional trauma
Sorry English is not my mother language so I try to my best to explain. I'm looking for someone with the same problem: chronic stiff neck caused by fight-or-flight response. My neck is tense af. It has been like that for maybe about 15 years. It started at school, I had a lot of emotional turmoil and was very sensitive to people around me. Too many responsibilities also. I tried to hide and repress my emotions. I also started to hate physical activity, because I thought that I suck at it (because of school sports). My neck got really bad, I suffered neck pains and headaches almost daily. It got little bit better when I did some mild exercises but I'm always aware that I can't do anything too intense because it can cause muscle strains because my neck is so stiff :( I'm an adult and I want to find the joy of physical activity, but my neck gets sore and painful so easily.
Does someone have experience and can tell me what kind of somatic release is best for this? I've done some exercises but I'm not sure if those are helping, I feel like stretches make my neck (and then head too) hurt even more. Or is neck pain and headaches part of the healing? Because I feel like I'm doing something wrong when I get them. I'm honestly depressed and feel like I'll never be able to get better. I've done so much emotional healing in the past years, also I've released so much repressed feelings and trauma from all around my body, but my neck is definitely the hardest one and I feel stuck. I want to be able to move my head and neck without pain.
Thank you if someone understands because I don't know anyone who has the same problem. Of course all people have their neck problems sometimes but mine is very serious and makes my life harder. Causes me physical and emotional pain tbh. I'm not expecting fast results because I know how healing works, it takes time and patience but I need some help to know where to start. 🫶🏻