If You Have Back Pain, Do You Need An MRI?

if you have back pain do you need an mri?

Low back pain is extremely common. About one half of all working Americans experience symptoms at least once a year, and roughly 31 million are affected by it at any given point in time.

Dealing with low back pain can be troublesome. Typical movements like bending over to pick something off the ground or twisting your torso can cause pain, and this will cause you to be less mobile overall. Therefore, many patients with low back pain will start searching for answers. What is causing the pain?

Sadly, searching for a low back pain diagnosis is complicated and often does not lead to the outcomes that most patients hope for. And in many cases, it can do more harm than good. When seeking a diagnosis, many patients will have an imaging test (X–ray, MRI, or CT scan) performed, either by the doctor’s order or their request. These types of tests are essential for diagnosing numerous conditions throughout the body, but when it comes to low back pain, their usefulness is limited. Many “abnormal” results from imaging tests could be simple age related changes that are not contributing to a patient’s pain. However, some practitioners will still treat the “problem” nonetheless, which may lead to an unnecessary medical procedure.

Clinical guidelines and experts have long recommend that imaging tests for low back pain should only be performed if one or more “red flags” is identified during an examination. Red flags for low back pain include the following:

  • Loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Signs of severe or worsening nerve damage
  • Serious underlying problems like cancer or spinal infections
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Abnormal reflexes
  • Recent serious fall or injury
  • Worsening numbness or weakness in one leg

If none of these red flags are present, having an imaging test is not recommended because it’s not likely to provide any valuable information or lead to better outcomes. Yet many patients with low back pain and no red flags still undergo MRIs of their spine.

Greater use of healthcare services leads to higher costs for patients undergoing MRIs

A 2015 study illustrates the implications of unnecessarily having an MRI for low back pain instead of seeing a physical therapist. For the study, researchers analyzed data from the medical records of 2,893 patients with low back pain that were identified through a comprehensive search. Of these patients, 841 received treatment outside of primary care within the first six weeks of their diagnosis, with 46% receiving a diagnostic test—usually an MRI—and 45% receiving physical therapy.

A comparison of these two groups showed that those who received a diagnostic test first utilized significantly more healthcare services than those who underwent physical therapy first. For example, patients who first received a diagnostic test were more than 3 times more likely to undergo surgery, almost 4 times more likely to have injections, and about 7 times more likely to see a spine surgeon compared to those who saw a physical therapist first. As a result, healthcare costs for low back pain over one year were about $4,700 higher when imaging was performed first due to the increased use of these healthcare services.

This study clearly shows why it’s usually best for patients with low back to visit a physical therapist early after noticing pain rather than going to a primary care physician or specialist, who may be more likely to order a diagnostic test. With this in mind, we strongly recommend that you consider seeing a physical therapist if low back pain is bothering you and to avoid the temptation of relying too heavily on a diagnosis for the reasons we’ve described here.

North Penn Physical Therapy specializes in one on one treatment for back pain. Feel free to contact us for more information.

Looking for Low Back Pain Treatment in Lansdale? Try Physical Therapy First.

Looking for low back pain treatment in Lansdale? Why not consider physical therapy first? It has been proven to reduce pain without the use of medication. The information below will help you learn about treatment options and avoid unnecessary and expensive healthcare interventions.

What Causes Low Back Pain?

Low back pain can have many sources. For example, sciatica refers to pain that travels from the low back down into the buttock, thigh, and/or back of the leg. It’s called sciatica because the pain is in the same area that the sciatic nerve is located. Spinal stenosis occurs when the openings between your vertebrae get smaller, usually due to aging, arthritis, or wear and tear of the spine. When the openings get too small, the nerves get pinched in this area. Low back pain can also come from sprains or strains of the muscles and ligaments in the back, or from other injuries. Because it can have multiple causes, low back pain treatment can be challenging. It is important to find a back treatment specialist that examines the possible causes and gives you a plan for how to fix it.

Don’t Insist on an MRI Right Away

Low back pain can be severe and disabling. Patients that experience pain will understandably want to know what’s causing it. Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI does an excellent job of taking pictures of the spine, but here’s what you need to know. MRI tests often show “false positives”.   This means that while the pictures of your lower back may reveal something that doesn’t look right, in many cases, it is NOT the cause of the pain. Consider the results of this scientific research report:

Imaging findings of spine degeneration are present in high proportions of asymptomatic individuals, increasing with age. Many imaging-based degenerative features are likely part of normal aging and unassociated with pain. These imaging findings must be interpreted in the context of the patient’s clinical condition.

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4464797/

This clinical research study is one of many research papers concluding an MRI shows a lot of age-related changes in the spine that are not likely to be the cause of your back pain.

See One of Our Experts for Low Back Pain Treatment in Lansdale

If you are experiencing low back pain with or without symptoms radiating down the back of your thigh, it is likely nothing serious. Conservative, natural care is what you should try first. The advantages of seeing one of our physical therapy experts are as follows:

  • No waiting – In most cases, you can see us right away.
  • No side effects – In most cases, the treatment we provide has little to no side effects and can make you feel much better.
  • More affordable – an average course of treatment cost much less than tests, injections, or surgery.
  • Avoid other more painful procedures – you will be less likely to need additional care, special tests, injections or surgery.
  • Seeing one of our physical therapists first means you are less likely to need addictive opioid drugs.

How Our Back Pain Treatment Specialists will Care for You

Each patient is different so here’s how our specialists will approach your back pain:

  • An in-depth initial evaluation where we ask you about your pain, medical history, and current condition.
  • A detailed physical exam looking at movement, strength, flexibility, of the spine & nerves.
  • A personalized plan of care to meet your goals.
  • Patient education – details of what we’ve found during the exam and how we will help you address these limitations.
  • Manual Therapy – hands-on techniques for pain relief and to restore mobility.
  • Neuromuscular Reeducation to address restrictions, weakness, and range of motion
  • A Home Program – we teach you what you can do to optimize healing at home as well.
  • Modalities – specific treatments to address your pain if needed.

See One of Our Experienced Low Back Pain Treatment Professionals Right Away

Start with Natural, Hands-on Care, from Our Caring Team of Professionals. Physical therapist directed care is an effective treatment approach for back pain. For more information, visit our contact page. We look forward to helping you.

Same-day/Next-Day Appointments are Available.

CLICK HERE to Request an Appointment, or Give Us a Call at (215) 872-7822 to Get Started

Sciatica Treatment Near Harleysville

If you are looking for sciatica treatment near Harleysville, the information below will help you make a better decision as well as help you avoid unnecessary and expensive healthcare treatment.

What is Sciatica: Three Main Causes of Your Pain

Sciatica is a general term that describes pain that usually is felt in the lower back and radiates down into the buttock, thigh, and often the back of the leg. It’s called sciatica because the pain is in the same area that the sciatic nerve is located (i.e. originating in the lower back, running through the buttock, down the back of the thigh and leg).

Sciatica Isn’t Just a Pinched Nerve

Some experts more specifically define sciatica as a pinched nerve root in the lower back that causes shock-like or burning low back pain combined with pain through the buttocks and down one leg, occasionally reaching the foot.

Important: doctors have done research decades ago that demonstrated that more than just a pinched nerve can cause radiating pain into the buttock and thigh.

What You Need to Know – Don’t Insist on an MRI Right Away

Sciatica pain can be severe and disabling. Patients that experience sciatica pain understandably, want to know what’s causing the pain. Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI does an excellent job of taking pictures of the spine, but here’s what you need to know. MRI tests often show “false positives”.   This means that while the pictures of your lower back may reveal something that doesn’t look right, in many cases, it is NOT the cause of the pain. Consider the results of this scientific research report:

Imaging findings of spine degeneration are present in high proportions of asymptomatic individuals, increasing with age. Many imaging-based degenerative features are likely part of normal aging and unassociated with pain. These imaging findings must be interpreted in the context of the patient’s clinical condition.

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4464797/

This clinical research study is one of many research papers concluding an MRI shows a lot of age-related changes in the spine that are not likely to be the cause of your sciatica.

What to Do First – See One of Our Sciatica Pain Experts

If you are experiencing lower back pain with or without symptoms radiating down the back of your thigh, you should not immediately think that you have a serious diagnosis, no matter how bad the pain is. Conservative, natural care, which is what we provide here at our practice, is what you should try first. The advantages of seeing one of our physical therapy experts are as follows:

  • No waiting – In most cases, you can see us right away.
  • No side effects – In most cases, the treatment we provide has little to no side effects and can make you feel much better.
  • It’s more affordable – an average course of treatment cost much less than tests, injections, or surgery.
  • Seeing one of our physical therapists within 14 days means you’re not likely to need additional care, special tests, injections or surgery.
  • Seeing one of our physical therapists first means you are less likely to need addictive opioid drugs.

How Our Sciatica Specialists will Care for You

Each patient is different so here’s how our specialists will approach your sciatica treatment:

  • An in-depth initial evaluation where we ask you about your pain, medical history, and current condition.
  • A detailed physical exam looking at movement, strength, flexibility, of the spine & nerves.
  • A personalized plan of care to meet your goals.
  • Patient education – details of what we’ve found during the exam and how we will help you address these limitations.
  • Manual Therapy – hands-on techniques for pain relief and to restore mobility.
  • Neuromuscular Reeducation to address restrictions, weakness, and range of motion
  • A Home Program – we teach you what you can do to optimize healing at home as well.
  • Modalities – specific treatments to address your pain if needed.

Start with Natural, Hands-on Care, from Our Caring Team of Professionals. Physical therapist directed care is an effective treatment approach for sciatica. For more information, visit our contact page. We look forward to helping you.

Same-day/Next-Day Appointments are Available.

CLICK HERE to Request an Appointment, or Give Us a Call at (215) 872-7822 to Get Started

Sciatica Treatment in Lansdale

If you are looking for sciatica treatment in Lansdale, the information below will help you make a better decision as well as help you avoid unnecessary and expensive healthcare treatment.

What is Sciatica: Three Main Causes of Your Pain

Sciatica is a general term that describes pain that usually is felt in the lower back and radiates down into the buttock, thigh, and often the back of the leg. It’s called sciatica because the pain is in the same area that the sciatic nerve is located (i.e. originating in the lower back, running through the buttock, down the back of the thigh and leg).

Sciatica Isn’t Just a Pinched Nerve

Some experts more specifically define sciatica as a pinched nerve root in the lower back that causes shock-like or burning low back pain combined with pain through the buttocks and down one leg, occasionally reaching the foot.

Important: doctors have done research decades ago that demonstrated that more than just a pinched nerve can cause radiating pain into the buttock and thigh.

What You Need to Know – Don’t Insist on an MRI Right Away

Sciatica pain can be severe and disabling. Patients that experience sciatica pain understandably want to know what’s causing the pain. Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI does an excellent job of taking pictures of the spine, but here’s the issue: MRI tests often show “false positives”.   This means that while the pictures of your lower back may reveal something that doesn’t look right, in many cases, it is NOT the cause of the pain. Consider the results of this scientific research report:

Imaging findings of spine degeneration are present in high proportions of asymptomatic individuals, increasing with age. Many imaging-based degenerative features are likely part of normal aging and unassociated with pain. These imaging findings must be interpreted in the context of the patient’s clinical condition.

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4464797/

This clinical research study is one of many research papers concluding an MRI shows a lot of age-related changes in the spine that are not likely to be the cause of your sciatica.

What to Do First – See One of Our Sciatica Pain Experts in Lansdale

If you are experiencing lower back pain with or without symptoms radiating down the back of your thigh, you should not immediately think that you have a serious diagnosis, no matter how bad the pain is. Conservative, natural care, which is what we provide here at our practice. The advantages of seeing one of our physical therapy experts are as follows:

  • No waiting – In most cases, you can see us right away.
  • No side effects – In most cases, the treatment we provide has little to no side effects and can make you feel much better.
  • It’s more affordable – an average course of treatment cost much less than tests, injections, or surgery.
  • Seeing one of our physical therapists early means you may not need additional care, special tests, injections or surgery.
  • Seeing one of our physical therapists first means you are less likely to need addictive opioid drugs.

How Our Sciatica Specialists will Care for You

Each patient is different so here’s how our specialists will approach your sciatica:

  • An in-depth initial evaluation where we ask you about your pain, medical history, and current condition.
  • A detailed physical exam looking at movement, strength, flexibility, of the spine & nerves.
  • A personalized plan of care to meet your goals.
  • Patient education – details of what we’ve found during the exam and how we will help you address these limitations.
  • Manual Therapy – hands-on techniques for pain relief and to restore mobility.
  • Neuromuscular Reeducation to address restrictions, weakness, and range of motion
  • A Home Program – we teach you what you can do to optimize healing at home as well.
  • Modalities – specific treatments to address your pain if needed.

Start with Natural Hands-on Care, from Our Caring Team of Professionals. Physical therapist care is an effective treatment approach for sciatica. For more information, visit our contact page. We look forward to helping you.

Same-day/Next-Day Appointments are Available.

CLICK HERE to Request an Appointment, or Give Us a Call at (215) 872-7822 to Get Started