Hi Chucklehead
I suffered near crippling neck problems in my early career (coupled with occasional bursts of lower back issues) that meant I had to brace my neck with both arms and roll out of bed onto my knees and restricted my neck rotation to about 10 degrees either side. Two books were recommended, Treat Your Own Neck and Treat Your Own Back, both written by a New Zealand Physio (Robin McKenzie) about 50 years ago. Very simple exercises that have almost completely sorted my problems, I do the exercises if I feel the early twinges of a problem and they just don't develop. I'm approaching 60 now and regularly fly with NVG with little or no neck problems.
Well worth a try.
Cheers
TeeS