Welcome to the forum! I was 28 when I first injured my low back working as an RN in San Francisco. My advice would be to get a 2nd opinion with a really good neurosurgeon. Not that you need surgery (I wouldn't know that) just that you should have a few really reputable opinions I think because it is your cervical spine.
So do yourself a favor and don't think about whether you could afford the surgery or the time off or anything like that just focus on getting one or two very reputable opinions. That would be my advice.
It could well be that a shot of Toradol (non steroidal anti-inflammatory medication) could help you out quite a bit with spasms and pain so you might want to check that out too. I get a 60mg IM (intramuscular) injection when my back or neck seizes up on me with muscle spasms and creates a lot of pain (like when I cannot turn my head at all or am locked into one painful position).
Also for educational purposes check out this website:
ChiroGeek's Home Page
you can read about pretty much anything to do with the spine there.
Take care and keep us posted on what happens with your neck if you have time!
Maria