Soft tissue damage and inflammation wouldn't show on a scan would it?
The PT advice sounds right to me, but if you're concerned that there is more going on with your neck that may be causing this inflammation then I'd get another opinion to be on the safe side.

I've had a lot of PT work on my spine over the years and it was extremely helpful, but I had xrays and scans done first. Are you concerned there is something wrong with vertebrae?