My last comment is also consistent with Mark's observation that sleeping in a bad position causes blood flow and nerve issues.

Specifically, sleeping with the head tipped forward could be compressing the vagus, accessory, and glossopharyngeal nerves as well as the internal jugular vein, leading an exacerbation of symptoms.

I too cannot sleep with my head tipped forward. My attempts to sleep in a "normal" position have never ended well.

I spent a couple YEARS learning how to sleep in a safe posture. My best sleeping position is in a recliner. After learning how to sleep on my back and stay on my back, I got good symptoms free sleep on my back. After years of being disciplined, my neck is stable enough that I can sleep on my side if I have set my pillow properly.

I still get my best sleep in a recliner with my head and neck in perfect alignment.

My PT of a decade ago spent many treatments doing gentle traction and mobilization and muscle work.

A PT in Guelph, Ontario has an entire protocol for this. Myoworx.com

When somebody starts throwing around medical terms, my mind spins. I have limited visualization functions.

An image showing the anatomy would help.