I had severe chronic neck pain for many years and part of my drinking was to deal with the pain. I couldn’t even turn my head in the car to back up or look either way—had to move my whole body.
I began a yoga practice and also worked with a good therapeutic massage specialist, along with chiropractic care, and though it took some time, I got real, deep lasting relief and healing.
Funny thing was I found the truth in the claim that we store emotions in our physical body. As deep tissue work began to loosen and unwind frozen muscles, I would find tears dripping off my face onto the floor from massage table, and great waves of sadness and anger coming over and through me.
My neck was sore and tender with fluid pockets from congested tissue due to poor circulation. As I healed I actually had symptoms in reverse—but it allowed me space back into my own body once again. I did some cognitive therapy during part of the treatment, which also helped me verbally process these physical things.
I have had much better luck with these modalities as opposed to pill-prescribing doctors and lame physical therapy. Acupuncture was another thing that worked well. Don’t know how you feel about trying some or all of this if you haven’t, but time and consistent, gentle hard work really fixed 90% of my neck issues.