To ask for your advice on chronic neck pain/tension?

Do you have any other joint pains? I had similar neck pain that was worse at night and on first waking, which was eventually diagnosed as ankolysing spondylitis. Apparently it is more common for women to present with neck pain rather than the more common (in men) lower back pain.

I have chronic neck pain - tension plus 2 x bulging discs and cervical stenosis.

I recommend a chiropractor or osteopath (if you're in southern England please do message, and I can thoroughly recommend the guy I see). But make sure they don't just go in and and attempt to manipulate your neck!!

Ibuprofen rather than paracetamol. If you've been taking paracetamol regularly, then look at Medication Overuse Headaches - it's definitely a thing. Try ice packs or heat and see which you respond best to, I use both at different times as mine sometimes trigger into the worst migraines. I use 4Head sticks and I also use this, I have both the heat and cooling versions: https://welzo.com/products/hempe-muscle-and-joint-gel-50ml-hot?currency=GBP&variant=52523578687872&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=27bbd07605a7&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_term=&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAoyp3sKT3-Ib4p34U1XLQJ47uUYiH&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8sOysL_ujAMVmYtQBh2IDBk3EAQYAyABEgJhKPD_BwE

I try to meditate regularly or at least lie down with some ASMR headache or stress relieving tracks. And also look at your diet.

I have the same. Physio and fortnightly sports massage help. I pay private for both as NHS physio waiting list round us is 6 months and the pain gets unbearable.

Can you afford a chiropractor? This sounds like their sort of thing.

Osteopath worked for me after the belief was a stroke, it was actually a frozen neck muscle area. Physios did nothing but work on the side with pain, when the issue was the other side of my body. What do you do during the day for work? Do you repeat movements, carry heavy bags, drive a vehicle with heavy steering.... ? It is as important to address the cause as work on alleviating the pain / muscle issues and it is not a quick fix.

Ok this sounds bonkers but hear me out—do you have some unresolved anger stewing around?
Are you saying yes to stuff you’d rather say no to?
We women carry a lot of anger and resentment in our muscles, particularly our necks and shoulders.

I had chronic neck pain like you describe for years.
Psychotherapy and an Aeyla pillow have sorted me right out. Plus massages!

Went to the GP years ago with similar pain mainly one side of my neck. He asked what job I did and said the stress was probably making me tense and grind my teeth at night. You can get a mouth guard made.
Yours might not be the same of course.
Those electronic heated shoulder and back massagers are good for relaxation and neck and shoulder pain or a wheat bag that is microwavable.
Best cure for my pain was retirement! Not helpful if you are only young.

Another one here for physio, I was suffering for months with neck pain and numbness/pins & needles down my right arm.

I had a short course of muscle relaxants and have been having weekly physio for past 9 months and it has been life changing. I only take the occasional muscle relaxant maybe once every 6 weeks or so now.

Yep i third the physio suggestion.

Second the physio suggestion. I had chronic neck pain and tension headaches - going to the physio and getting the right exercises to do is what fixed it (while the meds the GP threw at me did nothing except make me feel like shit). Its not a quick fix though, you have to do the exercises religiously every day.

I swear by my Tempur memory foam pillow. It’s reversible so one side for back sleepers and the other for side sleepers.

Go see a physio