Indy - thanks for the link. Interestingly enough most of what I've found on the internet is in reference to the lower back, not the neck - but of course, the spine is the spine. That is likely more common.

I am just talking myself out of a funk related to this - at least they said "moderate" osteoarthritis rather than "advanced". They have also called in an anti-inflammatory into my pharmacy so hopefully that will help the neck strain as well. At least the MRI will show if I have true whiplash (damaged ligament) or just a pretty strong neck strain involving muscles only.