“How does an MRI for lower back pain sciatica work? What happens?”
If you find yourself asking this question, this article is for you!
MRI for Lower Back Pain Sciatica
Lower back pain and sciatica are common health complaints. Almost everyone has experienced back pain at some time in their life.
Both you and your doctor may be worried that something serious is causing your lower back pain.
Could your pain be caused by an infection in your spine? Maybe it’s spinal stenosis or sciatica?
How does your provider know for sure? This is where an MRI comes in.
How It Works
An MRI scan creates detailed images of your spine.
It can pick up most injuries that you have had in your spine or any changes that happen.
Even small changes or problems that aren’t the cause of your current back pain are picked up.
When you get an MRI for lower back pain, sciatica, cervical spinal stenosis, or another pain condition, you lie inside an open-ended tube surrounded by magnets.
- The non-invasive imaging technique uses a combination of radio waves and magnets to create cross-sectional, 3-D images of the interior of your body.
- You’ll be required to lie as still as possible within the tube. You may be inside for as few as 15 minutes or as long as an hour, depending on what your doctors need to investigate.
When you’re inside the MRI machine, you may hear loud clicking or thumping sounds from the magnets.
If these noises annoy you, ask for earplugs when you arrive so that you can relax during the procedure.
If you suffer from claustrophobia, don’t worry – your doctor can help.
Ask about the possibility of taking something that can help you relax.
If you have back pain, neck pain, sciatica, or any pain condition, don’t wait for it to get worse.
Consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All information contained on this website is for general information purposes only.
