Good Morning Sara. I found that starting the day out right begins with the right sleep. After waking with a crick in my neck once about two years ago, I started experimenting with sleeping on my back without any pillows, and for almost 6 months I opted out of sleeping in my bed, for a firm spot on the floor. This was very challenging for me because I am used to sleeping on my side, so I was uncomfortable to rest still on my back unless it was one of those really intense training days, which it usually was so it kind of worked out. So now I sleep on my back, or at least I practice going to sleep on my back by laying as still as possible for at least a half hour to an hour. Diaphramatic breathing was important to help me from getting anxious and wanting to move around. My belief / theory (not based on any emperical data) is that by allowing for neutral spine position not only decreases the strain on the neck, it also allows for more neurotransmitter activity during the night, while the body is repairing. Shortest distance between two points in space is a straight line... maybe nothing, but there might be something to it.
Also, since this is the 'mind and body' blog spot and you are in America's finest city, I would like to take this opportunity to plug the Jing Institute of Chinese Martial Arts and Culture (www.sdtaichi.com). My posture has changed for the best since I began training there, and they have a warm-up / cool down that is like my cranio-sacral recalibration.
Last but not least, gravity boots. Its two parts scientific and two parts fun. Helps to pull the vertebrae apart, and at an outdoor park after the sun has gone down, the stars are at your feet.
Your neck will be in my prayers. Just that might do the trick. Rest easy and a very Merry Christmas!
