IMAGING AND BACK PAIN

A 2014 study (Brinjikji et al) looked at MRI studies of asymptomatic individuals. That is, people without back pain. What they found was this:

Prevalence of Disk Degeneration:

*37% in 20 year olds

*80% in 50 year olds

*96% in 80 year olds

Prevalence of Disc Bulges:

*30% in 20 year olds

*60% in 50 year olds

*84% in 80 year olds

These types of changes are completely normal and harmless signs of the ageing process, and are often unassociated with pain. Similar to getting wrinkles!

Historically, far too many allied health professionals and GPs have referred individuals with acute low back pain for scans and found they have a “disc bulge” or similar. This leads both the clinician and the patient to believe they have some serious pathology that is the obvious cause of their pain.

Luckily health professionals are improving in this area, and we are relying less and less on imaging for low back pain.

If you are suffering from an acute episode of low back pain, do not rush off for a scan. Keep active, stay positive and seek treatment!

And if you have had scans in the past and are constantly blaming your back pain on things like degenerative or bulging discs, consider that this is actually very normal, and this does not mean you need to be suffering forever.

Chris Bryceson

B. Health Sciences (Physio), APAM

CB Physiotherapy