It should be a well-known fact that the majority of the population will have abnormal findings in MRIs of the spine, and that this increases with age. ⠀

From the many many MRI studies out there, anywhere from 𝟐𝟎-𝟖𝟎% 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧-𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 have abnormal findings like 𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Some of them even have clinically-defined serious pathology - but no pain. 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧.⠀

So if I treated based solely on imaging results, I would not have very many successful clients. I always complete a thorough interview and physical examination, and let MRI results influence my treatment plan, but not dictate it. This gives me the best 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 in order to develop an 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧. ⠀

Otherwise irrelevant MRI findings can result in anxiety, utilization of unnecessary resources, and even needless interventions and incorrect treatment.

So if you have neck or back pain, see a Physiotherapist before waiting for a doctor's appointment, and then waiting even longer for an MRI. Several randomized clinical trials have shown that among patients without red flags, 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞. A Physio can screen for the need for an MRI and get you started in your recovery. ⠀

And if you have had a spine MRI with findings, they 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 so don't let it define you or your treatment. ⠀

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*opinions are my own.