Neuromuscular Mechanisms Underlying Poor Recovery From Whiplash Injuries

This study is investigating whether changes in the shape and size of bodily muscles and spinal cord anatomy can influence recovery rates following a motor vehicle collision (MVC). The objective is to demonstrate that the presence of muscle and spinal cord degeneration and associated muscle weakness is the consequence of a mild MVC-related injury involving the cervical spinal cord.

Inclusion Criteria: * Males and Females (18 - 65 years of age) * Individuals less than one week post MVA with a primary complaint of neck pain. * Able to give written informed consent and complete interviews in English Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with a spinal fracture from the MVA, or spinal surgeries * History of one or more MVAs or previous diagnosis of cervical or lumbar radiculopathy * History of neurological disorders (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis, previous stroke, myelopathy), inflammatory diseases (e.g. Hepatitis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis or Osteoarthritis, Alzheimers, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Crohn's disease, Fibromyalgia) or metabolic disorders (e.g. Diabetes, hyper- and hypo-thyroidism) * Standard contraindications to MRI: claustrophobia, metallic implants, pacemaker and pregnancy.