When do DOCTORS say that MRI’s are necessary for back pain?
If numbness and tingling is getting progressively worse.
If your leg is physically getting weaker and weaker as time goes on.
If you are having a hard time controlling going to the bathroom (big red flag).
If your reflexes are grossly asymmetrical (not the same on each side)
These are times where it may make sense to get imaging done however in MOST cases you won’t need one. If you started having severe back pain and it wasn’t due to a severe trauma, and gets flared up by certain movements, it’s likely this will improve over time.
If you’re dealing with something like this and need some guidance on how to navigate back pain and what to do to ease some of the symptoms, shoot me a message and we’ll problem solve together!