When life is a pain in the neck:
I use a towel rolled up & put a heating pad over it. Also I use Arnicare Gel.
Best topical, (around $7.00 @ drugstore) better than those$200.00 compounding creams. Dries quick & is not sticky at all.
& or tens unit. (The buzzing gets old real fast.)

I know this feeling soooooo well. Cervical spondylitis with spur growing towards the chord. Constant pain and all that comes with. I have a V pillow for support when sitting up in bed....not always comfortable but does take the strain off adjusting the position as I need. I have two pillows that I sleep on...some times one or the other, sometimes both at the same time. One is quite soft and relatively flat giving just enough head support to keep the pressure off my neck, the other is a firm support memory foam, it moulds to shape and I find if I have been sitting up, I turn it over when I lay down so it's like a wedge, the widest part supports my neck with my head at a good restful angle. If I am in a lot of pain I use both, the firm one on the bottom to give the angle, the soft on top for comfort. Doesn't always work but it does let me get that all important sleep. My hubby uses a buckwheat pillow and loves it...he gets too hot at night and his pillow stays nice and cool. I couldn't get on with it but everyone has their own preference. I hope you find something that helps you. One thing I will say is avoid the budget price pillows.... I'd say by the best you can afford but not the cheap cheap ones. xxx

I Make organic Buckwheat Hull Pillows (at this time the hills cannot be heated like in a microwave), but if I use the actual buckwheat, that Can be warmed. I have been making these pillows by suggestion of my DO who has not only helped me tremendously, but she buys my pillows as well as Her clients. Clients have many bodily ailments. These pillows form to You! They are a bit noisy at first, but I've slept with several sizes that I have made (the most usual size I sell are exactly half the size of a regular bed pillow.
I just need to feel well enough to get seeing them again!
My email if its allowed is (Email address can only be seen by the question and answer creators) ask me details there please.
Feel better!

Carol has it right! Buckwheat hull pillows Are the Best!
They conform to your cervical spine, lower back and can fit Anywhere around the sore areas of you body while you sit or sleep or most anywhere when you need extra relief.
I made organic buckwheat hull pillows and cases. I Sleep with mine Every night and do get some extra sleep where on many nights I get very little due to my cervical spine, lower back and poor legs.
Feel free to ask me here or email and I’ll answer any questions that you may have. While not the miracle that we All seek, it does help some :)
Donna

V pillow. It's literally changed it for me. I also have a memory foam gel mattress and two pillows behind my V pillow. The best thing I've bought. Hope you find relief xxx