Why Your MRI Might Not Explain Your Whole Back Pain Story
We get it—when you're having back pain, seeing an X-ray or MRI of your spine can feel reassuring. There's something tangible about holding an image in your hands, pointing to a specific area, and saying "that's where it hurts." As one recent study stated, patients often find "it's hard to trust an individual, it's easier to trust an image" when coping with the uncertainty of low back pain. (1) However, as your well-trained chiropractic partncer at Satterwhite Chiropractic, we want to share an important fact: imaging doesn't always expose the real cause of your discomfort.
THE IMAGE-PAIN DISCONNECT
Research consistently shows a remarkable 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 dependably predict long-term outcomes or symptom severity. (2) Many patients with significant stenosis visible on MRI have minimal pain, while others with minimal imaging changes suffer considerably.
Research shows that many pain-free individuals have disc bulges, herniations, and arthritis that can be seen 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 ignore imaging entirely. Rather, it emphasizes why your clinical examination is just as—if not more—important. When your chiropractor assesses your movement patterns, muscle strength, reflexes, and pain response to specific positions, they are gathering crucial information that images just cannot suppy.
THE COMPLETE CLINICAL PICTURE
Think of imaging as one chapter in your health journey, not the entire trip. Your MRI may reveal disc bulges or arthritis, but these findings are incredibly common in pain-free individuals too. What matters most is how your spine functions, not solely how it looks.
This is where your chiropractor's experience becomes invaluable. By incorporating imaging findings with hands-on examination, movement assessment, and your symptom history, they come up with a comprehensive understanding of your pain issue. This balanced approach leads to more precise diagnosis and effective treatment plans tailored to your specific needs, rather than simply treating what appears on a scan.
TRUST THE PROCESS
Yes, uncertainty can be unsettling, and desiring concrete answers through imaging is completely normal. But trust that your clinical evaluation at Satterwhite Chiropractic—combined with thoughtful interpretation of any imaging—delivers the most complete picture of your spinal health. Together, we’ll develop a treatment plan based on the best available evidence and your individual presentation, not only the images.
CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Mary Peterson on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she explains the value 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 scheduled soon!
