Peggy- I offer this wilth no idea if it is realted to your pain- But my neck was super stiff and I could not turn my head more than about 60 degrees from front without serious pain until I went to see the chiropractor a few weeks ago. Perhaps you could consider trying that? I also used to get the pain all the way down to the middle of my back near my lower shoulder blades when I bent my head forward, and I still feel the occasional pulling in my lower trapezius muscles.

My side to side neck range of motion increased from 60 to 90degrees (so I could turn my head all the way to my shoulder) in the first day, and now I am well past after a few weeks treatment (going 3x a week). The other thing that really really helps is my chiro has a massage therapist that works on my shoulders, shoulder blades, and back for 15 minutes at the end of each visit.

Johanna