09/05/2026
Does every episode of back pain require an MRI?
Not necessarily.
If you have low back pain, it’s natural to want an MRI to find out exactly what’s causing it. But an MRI doesn’t always tell the whole story.
An MRI may show:
🔹 Disc bulges
🔹 Arthritis
🔹 Disc degeneration
🔹 Changes in the spine
Here’s the surprising part: many people who have NO back pain can have these same findings on an MRI.
So what does that mean?
Your MRI is just one piece of the puzzle.
A thorough physical therapy evaluation can also look at your:
✅ Strength
✅ Mobility
✅ Balance
✅ Movement patterns
✅ How your body is functioning as a whole
Understanding how you move, and how your symptoms behave can provide valuable information when figuring out the best approach for your back pain.
💡 Back pain is not always something you simply have to live with as you get older.
If you're in Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, or Fort Myers, FL and dealing with back pain, we're here to help you understand your options.
Save this post for later and share it with a friend or family member who has been dealing with back pain.