Most of the people reading this right now have probably experienced some form of back or neck pain at least once in their lives. And unfortunately there's a good chance you will experience it again sometime. Hopefully the pain you had was minor and got better quickly (although at the time it probably didn't feel "minor"), but sometimes the problem is more severe and you may need to see a doctor for help. In these situations, your doctor will most likely send you to get a MRI so he can determine exactly what is causing your back or neck pain.
Most people have heard of MRI's and know they are used as a tool for diagnosing injuries in the spine or other areas of your body. But most people also don't know much else about them, such as what they are exactly, or how they work. Read on to learn all about them:
So What's A MRI?
The acronym "MRI" stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and as the name suggests it involves using magnets to take images. More specifically, it combines radio waves, the magnetic field generated by the scanner, and your body's natural magnetic properties to produce the detailed images of your body that the doctor requires to properly diagnose your problem.
The scan is completely non-invasive, and the frequency used for the radio pulses is kept in a safe range so as not to damage the tissues in your body as they pass through. The MRI is the best tool we have available to get a detailed view of your spine in order to determine exactly what your condition is.
How Are They Used?
The images from a MRI will include clear views of the spine’s soft tissues, which are not visible in an x-ray. The MRI offers detailed views of the spinal discs, vertebrae, the spinal canal, back muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and bone marrow or softer inner part of the spinal bones. The MRI shows the spine in a 3-dimensional manner, allowing the doctor to study it in layers or cross-sectional views.
The MRI may make it easier to diagnose the root cause of your back or neck pain, which may stem from one or more of these conditions:
- Herniated Discs
- Bulging Discs
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Spinal Stenosis
- Past injuries
- Compression fractures
- Bony overgrowth
- Or a less serious medical problem
The Illinois Back Institute strives to educate everyone about their back pain and sciatica, because it is proven that the more people know about their problem the more likely they are to eliminate it!
Also, if you would like to learn more about how we can eliminate your back, neck, and sciatica pain, you can join us for our Back Pain and Sciatica Relief Webinar! Just click on the link below for information on the Webinar and how to register for it:
All content is protected by the usual copyright laws and cannot be used, stolen or reproduced for any purpose without Illinois Back Institute permission. Please feel free to call about anything although we are unable to give advice on any specific injuries or conditions over the phone.