Wow Mike ... you may have struck a nerve ... a pinched one no pun intended .. it does happen when my girl is sitting next to me on the right side and my arm is around her cuddlin ... Yikes

 

From your photos, it looks like you're a bit too young to have degenerative discs in your neck, but even tho remote, it's a possibility. That's part of my gig (I'm a little older that you!), but it's also caused by trauma (already mentioned that part...) Could also just be something out of alignment. I'd check it out, tho! The longer it goes untended, the longer it takes to heal right.

I share your pain about the hampered cuddlin'; this really gets in my way when I'm trying to snuggle w/ my wife in bed!

Good luck ---
Mike