How do I get rid of tension during the night which causes my neck to hurt badly?
So every morning I wake up with a very stiff neck, sore shoulders and a sore back. This has been going on for months. Over the past ten years, this problem has bothered me on and off. Before you ask "have you tried changing mattresses and pillows?", YES, this has been a major quest. I have tried them all, finally settling on what's best for me.
It works for a time. But it's not the equipment. Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night and my girlfriend is holding me. She woke me, because she noticed I am completely cramped up all my muscles tightened, shoulders raised. Survival mode. Fight or flight. Suppose I do this every night, no wonder I wake up sore as a boxer, right?
During the day, I try to do everything right. Take lots of breaks, walk, do mindfulness, meditation, stretching. My physical therapists gave me so many exercises that I can fill an entire day doing them. I go to the gym a lot, usually feel better after a workout, having oiled my muscles and spine.
It's the during the night part that I can't control. Any ideas? Hypno therapy to deal with unconscious trauma?