Why Your MRI Might Not Explain Your Whole Back Pain Story
We get it—when you're experiencing back pain, seeing an X-ray or MRI of your spine can reassure you that there is a reason for your pain. There's something tangible about having a picture to look at, pointing to a specific area, and saying "that's where it hurts." As one newer study stated, patients frequently find "it's hard to trust an individual, it's easier to trust an image" when dealing with the uncertainty of low back pain. (1) However, as your trusted chiropractic partncer at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office, we want to share an important truth: imaging doesn't always reveal the real source of your discomfort.
THE IMAGE-PAIN DISCONNECT
Research steadily shows a remarkable disconnect between what appears on imaging and what patients actually feel. A comprehensive 2025 systematic review examining lumbar spinal stenosis—a condition that entails narrowing of the spinal canal—found that imaging findings don't reliably predict long-term outcomes or symptom severity. (2) Many patients with significant stenosis seen on MRI feel minimal pain, while others with minimal imaging changes suffer considerably.
Studies have also reported that many people without any back pain have disc bulges, herniations, and arthritis visible on their MRIs. If we relied solely on imaging, we might treat findings that aren't actually causing problems while [[missing}overlooking]31] the true source of your symptoms.
This isn't to set aside imaging all together. Rather, it highlights why your clinical examination is equally—if not more—vital. When your chiropractor reviews your movement patterns, muscle strength, reflexes, and pain response to specific positions, they are gathering critical information that images simply cannot suppy.
THE COMPLETE CLINICAL PICTURE
Think of imaging as one chapter in your health story, not the entire book. Your MRI may reveal disc bulges or arthritis, but these findings appear frequently in pain-free individuals too. What matters most is how your spine functions, not just how it looks.
This is where your chiropractor's expertise becomes invaluable. By incorporating imaging findings with hands-on examination, movement assessment, and your symptom history, they develop a full understanding of your pain issue. This balanced approach leads to more precise diagnosis and applicable treatment plans just for your specific individual needs, rather than simply treating what you see on a scan.
TRUST THE PROCESS
Yes, uncertainty can be unsettling, and desiring concrete answers through imaging is absolutely natural. But trust that your clinical evaluation at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office—combined with thoughtful interpretation of any imaging—delivers the most complete picture of your spinal health. Together, we’ll come up with a treatment strategy based on the best available evidence and your individual presentation, not only the images.
CONTACT Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Mary Peterson on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she describes the benefit of the system of Cox® Technic that leads the care of spine pain for best relief.
Be sure you have your next chiropractic appointment with us made soon!
