06/22/2026
Back pain does NOT automatically mean you have a disc problem.
In fact, research shows that disc bulges, herniations, and degenerative changes are incredibly common—even in people with ZERO pain.
So why are so many people told their MRI is the reason they’re hurting?
Because it’s often easier to treat an image than it is to understand a person.
The truth is that pain is complex. Two people can have the exact same MRI findings and have completely different symptoms. That’s why a thorough evaluation should involve more than a quick exam and a prescription.
If your pain occurs when you squat, deadlift, run, sit for long periods, bend forward, or get out of bed, those movements should be part of the assessment.
Pain is information. Your MRI is information. Neither tells the whole story on its own.
What’s even more interesting is that research has shown early imaging for low back pain often leads to more injections, more procedures, higher healthcare costs, and greater rates of surgery—without improving outcomes for most people.
Before jumping straight to imaging, ask yourself:
Have I actually had a thorough movement assessment?
Have we identified what specifically aggravates and relieves my symptoms?
Have we addressed strength, mobility, movement patterns, recovery habits, and lifestyle factors?
The goal isn’t to find abnormalities.
The goal is to find the reason YOUR pain exists.
Because treating a scan and treating a human are two very different things.
