Hi Cath,
I too have the same neck pain from a radical surgery done in 1992, followed by radiation treatments. The severe pinching, burning pain started about 1 yr after radiation.
Sadly, it has only worsened over the years. I have been diagnosed with "Progressive Radiation Disease" which causes a tissue/nerve necrosis. No treatment, no cure.
I have been using a medication called Tegretol and it has dulled the pain enough for me to be able to continue to work. I use a combo of Fiorinal and Tegretol 3 times a day and on most days that is enough to let me move my head and think of something besides my NECK.
When that combo doesn't work, I wait until I drive home from work and then take a stronger med.
I hope you can give this medication a try, I think it will help.

Best of Luck,
Dianne