Do you think MRI findings are reliable and accurate?  Think again. 

Your MRI (as well as CT scan, X-ray, and lab work) shows something suspicious. However, you are fine. You got a “false positive” and it’s surprisingly common. (1) 

Chiropractors may hear a patient was told they need surgery because they are in pain and their MRI shows spinal degeneration or disc herniations. The surgeon is sharpening his scalpel. 

But MRI findings may have nothing to do with pain. It may be a coincidence. An MRI may reveal back, disc, or hip degeneration but no pain. Conversely, an MRI may show a normal spine, but the patient may have lots of pain. (2) 

And yes, people with terrible-looking MRIs can have lots of pain but that doesn’t mean the pain is due to what the MRI finds. It may be coincidental, not causative. That is why approximately half of spinal surgery fails (FBSS – failed back surgery syndrome). 

One research paper concluded: “False positive MRI scans may lead to unnecessary surgery.”  Recent research reveals that nearly 70% of all body MRI interpretations have at least one discrepancy (diagnostic error). (3,4)

What do we suggest?

No matter what the MRI, CT or other examinations show begin chiropractic care immediately. Many times, patients who were told they needed surgery responded beautifully to chiropractic adjustments and were saved from surgery and drugs.

Remember, your body has a powerful self-healing ability. Let us help open your healing channels and get your functioning as close to your ideal as possible so your body can heal itself. 

Call us today to make an appointment!

517-627 4547

1.Chambers S, Cooney A, Caplan N et al. The accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting meniscal pathology. J R Nav Med Serv 2014;100(2):157-60.
2.Brinjikji, W, Luetmer, P. Comstock, B., et. al. Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic. populations. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 36(4), 811-816. 2015.
3.Kostrubiak DE, DeHay PW, Ali N. et al. Body MRI Subspecialty Reinterpretations at a Tertiary Care Center: Discrepancy Rates and Error Types. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2020;215: 1384-1388. 10.2214/AJR.20.22797.
4.Palmer, WJ. Discrepancy Rates and Errors a Bigger Problem with Body MRI Than Realized. October 16, 2020.5.5. Cod Liver Oil: The Number One Superfood by Krispin Sullivan, CN., JANUARY 4, 2021https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil-the-number-one-superfood/