Question
I was having fairly severe neck pain and was sent for an MRI.
The Dr said I was OK - nothing serious.
I still have bouts of severe neck pain on and off.  Physical therapy helps a bit, but upon stopping therapy, I always seem to revert to the painful situation. Would you be able to interpret these results for me?
MRI of the cervical spine w/o contrast:

At C2/C3 there is no focal disc herniation. There is no spinal canal stenosis or foraminal narrowing.
At C3/C4 there is tiny shallow central disc protrusion. There is no spinal canal stenosis or foraminal narrowing.
At C4/C5 there is shallow spondylitic ridge disc complex and uncovertebral joint degenerative change without spinal canal stenosis or significant foraminal narrowing.
At C5/C6 there is shallow spondylitic ridge disc complex and uncovertebral joint degenerative change without spinal canal stenosis or significant foraminal narrowing.
At C6/C7 there is prominent disc space narrowing and mild spondylitic ridging. Uncovertebral joint degenerative changes are noted and contribute to some foraminal narrowing. No spinal canal stenosis.
At C7/T1 there is no focal disc herniation. There is no spinal canal stenosis or foraminal narrowing.
Thank you for your comments and help.

Answer

Hanna Somatic Educatio This report indicates beginning appearance of bone spurs and minor disc protrusion -- both of which are insignificant in themselves but which indicate tight neck muscles -- which themselves would cause pain though muscular soreness.

For more detail, would you please see my article on neck injuries at

http://somatics.com/whiplash.htm

This article also indicates a course of action to relieve the pain.

regard,
Lawrence Gold