Brain, Brainstem, and Spinal Cord fMRI

Healthy subjects must meet all of the following inclusion criteria to participate in this study:

1. Age between 21 and 60 years old
2. Right-handed; not currently experiencing significant pain
3. No history of a chronic pain syndrome such as fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, chronic low back pain, etc.

Chronic neck pain patients must meet all of the following inclusion criteria to participate in this study:

1. Age between 21 and 60 years old
2. Right handed; neck pain > 3 months duration; moderate neck pain score > 30 on VAS (0-100) 3) No history of a chronic pain syndrome (fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, chronic low back pain, etc.) other than chronic neck pain and its associated symptoms.

Participants meeting any of the following exclusion criteria at baseline will be excluded from study participation:

1. Non-English speaking
2. Signs of upper extremity sensation loss; history of significant cerebrovascular disease including (but not limited to) epilepsy, stroke, tumor, multiple sclerosis, meningitis
3. History of major head trauma with sustained loss of consciousness; history of neurosurgery, ENT surgery, spine surgery, or cardiac surgery
4. History of cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator implantation
5. History of significant medical illness including cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe asthma requiring hospitalization for treatment, renal insufficiency requiring dialysis, etc.
6. History of alcoholism or consistent drug use; current infection or fever; pregnancy (or possible pregnancy)
7. History of metal working or injury with shrapnel or metal slivers
8. Claustrophobia
9. Piercings that are unable to be removed and tattoos older than 30 years