It was chronic myofascial pain, though I don't know what problem actually came first and caused the others. It will probably be an ongoing issue for me, and can still be easily irritated; getting sick makes it worse, and winter poses extra problems, because cold worsens muscle tension. But it's certainly a lot better than it was!

Yes, the treatment was painful. As time went on, I felt that "hurts-so-good" feeling people often report. But at the beginning, the pain was awful. The neck muscles were so dysfunctional, massage felt like the therapist was snipping my skin with a nail clipper. However, this is one area in which the saying is true--no pain, no gain!

Now, even the tinnitus is better, but I sure wish I could get rid of it once and for all.