My L'H is "permanent" and happens every time I bend my neck forward too, but it is not really bothersome. It can get much worse, when I am in a relapse, but it is still not what I would call painful.

Cherie

Yup mine wasn't/isn't painful either. Scary yes, annoying yes.

Same with girdle band sensation.

Actually, L'Hermittes and the girdle band sensation are my 2 'marked down' symptoms on my diagnosis sheet. :p