A 27-year-old male presents with a two-week history of moderate mid to lower neck pain immediately after riding a mechanical bull. No loss of consciousness was experienced. He is not experiencing any headaches, vision or auditory disturbances. No radicular pain is reported down the arms. He has tried massage, heat and stretching without much relief.

Physical Examination Findings: Height = 5’11”, Weight = 165 lbs., Respiration rate = 17, Pulse = 65 and Blood Pressure = 115/65.

Cervical posture revealed loss of lordosis with slight anterior head carriage. Active cervical range of motion was reduced 60% in flexion, left and right lateral flexion, left and right rotation, and 15% in extension. Left rotation and left lateral flexion exacerbated the pain on the left side of the neck. Trigger points were present in the right trapezius, levator scapulae, and rhomboids. The left scalenes were hypertonic. Facet restrictions were present from C2-4 in left anterior rotation. Vertical compression and distraction tests were unprovocative. Neurological status was normal.

Question 1: What would you be considering for a differential diagnosis given the history and examination findings?