Good morning, i have seen my physician and im currently in pt for shoulder, throat, neck, head stiffness & tension, w/irritation in facial/eye/ear area. upon waking its hard to open eyes and it takes a few. do you agree it is tension? thank u

Tension is an unlikely cause for difficulty opening one's eyes upon waking. If you have difficulty opening your eyes throughout the day, it could be a neuromuscular issue, but difficulty upon awakening is most frequently a dry eye problem (especially if the eyes are crusted or sticky). Try artificial tears before going to sleep and gentle washing of lids with warm water.

Your eyes may be dry on awakening. Try using Systane or Theratears when you first wake up. You can also try Systane gel at night. Drink plenty of water during the day and consider using a humidifier during the night when the nights are colder.