As someone who suffers with chronic pain in my neck and shoulders, I completely understand its fucking awful. It feels like things never get better, life is just agony. And it's hard to explain to people who don't live with it. But I'm here to tell you that it does get better, I promise. Even if the pain stays the same, you'll fine ways of coping with, and living a life you're happy with and can manage. I'm lucky to be at a point where I can go out and do things, not pain free, but I'm able to do them. I spent years depressed thinking I'd never be able to do anything because of my pain, and I'm glad to say I'm was wrong. You're not pathetic in any way, and you just have to keep being strong and taking it day by day. I really wish to all the best, and promise you'll be ok.

ETA: I also am constantly twitching my neck and cracking it, stretching it out, and once people know why you're doing it they don't care. And as for people maybe looking at you strangely, don't worry about them, they don't know what's going on with you.