Getting rid of stiffness.

I had tons of muscle ache in my upper back and neck. My anxiety was starting to get better, but the back pain would trigger it.

I was already taking a super deep stretch yoga class called yin, which helped a lot, but it was only held once a week. So I started getting therapeutic massages once a week, focusing only on my back and shoulders. I did this for about two months then dropped down to every other week. I am down to getting them only once a month, just for maintenance. At the beginning of the year, I also started seeing a chiropractor.

The combination of yoga, massage and chiropractic work has freed me from my constant back pain.

Great answers above...

...all I can add is practicing Progressive Muscle Relaxation (see link below)...

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/progressive_muscle_relaxation.html

...and I find a warm rice or buckwheat wrap (the kind you warm in the microwave) to be a soothing muscle relaxer.:)

Best wishes, and keep up the good work! Glad to hear you are having improvement, and seeking to continue progress!

S.C.