She wore a brace with metal stays for years. She would awaken early in the morning, take her pain medicine, and then go back to bed to wait for its effects. This is the way she managed her pain so that she could support me, as she was a single parent. Once your pain becomes chronic, using heat or ice is a matter of personal preference. I use a hot water bottle 1-2 times per day at the base of my neck.
Heat relaxes tissues and increases blood flow.
Ice decreases circulation and keeps swelling down. Try heat or ice instead of pain medicine to manage your pain. I teach all of my patients proper posture and body mechanics. Your head position is very important. Your head weighs 10-12 lbs.