I recently started getting upper neck and upper shoulder pain on my bike but it always only effects my left side. I did become aware that I keep a very tight grip while on the hoods and I'm trying to learn to relax my hand position.

1. How tight or loose should my grip be while in the hoods?

2. Should my hands grip the hood completely leaving no space between my hand and the rubber of the hood or should my hands be tilted outside a bit to kinda abosrb shock more?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.