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 feel reassuring. There's something clear about holding an image in your hands, pointing to a specific spot, and saying "that's where it hurts." As one newer study noted, patients frequently find "it's hard to trust an individual, it's easier to trust an image" when coping with the vagueness of low back pain. (1) However, as your trusted chiropractic partncer at Amelia Chiropractic Clinic, we need to share an important fact: imaging doesn't always expose the real source of your discomfort.
THE IMAGE-PAIN DISCONNECT
Research consistently demonstrates a surprising disconnect between what appears on imaging and what patients actually feel. A comprehensive 2025 systematic review assessing lumbar spinal stenosis—a condition where the spinal canal narrows—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.
Research shows that many pain-free individuals have disc bulges, herniations, and arthritis visible on their MRIs.. If we relied solely on imaging, we might treat findings that are not actually causing problems while [[missing}overlooking]31] the true source of your symptoms.
This isn't to ignore 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're gathering crucial information that images simply cannot provide.
THE COMPLETE CLINICAL PICTURE
Think of imaging as one chapter in your health journey, not the entire trip. Your MRI might show disc bulges or arthritis, but these findings appear frequently in pain-free individuals too. What matters most is how your spine functions, not solely how it looks.
This is where your chiropractor's training becomes important. By integrating 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 accurate diagnosis and applicable treatment plans just for your specific individual needs, rather than just treating what appears on a scan.
TRUST THE PROCESS
Yes, uncertainty can be uncomfortable, and wanting concrete answers through imaging is completely natural. But trust that your clinical evaluation at Amelia Chiropractic Clinic—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 Amelia Chiropractic Clinic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Mary Peterson on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she explains the benefit of the system of Cox® Technic that leads the care of spine pain for best relief.
