09/04/2026
MRI findings don’t always equal pain
Ever been told you have a “disc bulge” or “degeneration” on MRI?
Here’s what the research actually says 👇
📊 The stats might surprise you:
• Up to 30% of pain-free people have a lumbar disc herniation on MRI (IJPRT)
• Around 27% of asymptomatic individuals show disc protrusions
• Disc degeneration is found in 37% of 20-year-olds → up to 96% of 80-year-olds (even without pain) (PMC)
• Disc bulges can be present in 20% of young adults and over 75% of older adults with no symptoms (PMC)
• In one classic study, over 50% of people with NO back pain had disc bulges/herniations (New England Journal of Medicine)
👉 Translation: “Abnormal” MRI findings are often completely normal.
💡 Pain is influenced by MANY factors:
✔ Movement & loading
✔ Nervous system sensitivity
✔ Stress & lifestyle
✔ Sleep & recovery
📉 So treating the scan instead of the person? That’s where things go wrong.
At our practice:
We focus on you, your movement, and your goals — not just your MRI report.
✅ Build confidence in your body
✅ Reduce fear around movement
✅ Get back to doing what you love
📚 Want to read more?
Search: Brinjikji et al. 2015 – Systematic Review of MRI findings in asymptomatic individuals (AJNR)
Because your MRI is just one piece of the puzzle 🧩
