What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You About MRI Results

You're in pain, so you get an MRI. The results show a bulging disc, torn meniscus, or rotator cuff fraying. Your doctor points to the image and says "There's your problem." But what if that's not the whole story?

At Matterhorn Fit, we work with clients every day who have "abnormal" MRI findings but no pain, and others with severe pain whose MRIs look perfectly normal.

The truth is, MRI findings often don't correlate with symptoms. And understanding this gap is crucial to getting the right treatment - and avoiding unnecessary procedures.

Here's what your MRI results really mean - and how the Matterhorn Method looks beyond the image to find the real cause of your pain.

The MRI Reality Check

Research consistently shows that many "abnormal" MRI findings are found in people with no symptoms:

• Disc bulges - Found in 30-40% of people under 40 with no back pain
• Meniscus tears - Present in 35% of people over 40 with no knee pain
• Rotator cuff tears - Found in 30-50% of people over 50 with no shoulder pain
• Arthritis - Common in joints that don't hurt

Meanwhile, many people with severe pain have completely normal MRIs.

This tells us that structural damage isn't always the source of pain - and pain isn't always caused by structural damage.

What MRIs Show (And What They Don't)

MRIs are excellent at showing:

• Bone and soft tissue structure
• Tears, bulges, and degenerative changes
• Tumors or serious pathology
• Inflammation in some cases

But MRIs can't show:

• How your nervous system functions
• Movement patterns and coordination
• Muscle activation and timing
• Pain sensitivity and processing
• Stress, fear, or emotional factors

These "invisible" factors often drive pain more than the visible structural changes.

The Danger of "Structural Fixation"

When doctors and patients focus solely on MRI findings, it can lead to:

• Unnecessary fear - "My disc is herniated, I could be paralyzed"
• Activity avoidance - Limiting movement based on images, not symptoms
• Over-treatment - Surgery or aggressive interventions for normal age-related changes
• Missed root causes - Ignoring movement dysfunction, stress, or nervous system issues

This "structural fixation" can actually make pain worse by increasing fear and reducing activity.

When Age-Related Changes Get Blamed

Many MRI findings are simply normal aging:

• Disc degeneration - Like gray hair for your spine
• Mild arthritis - Normal wear and tear
• Small tears in cartilage - Common and usually painless
• Bone spurs - Your body's way of creating stability

These changes happen to everyone as they age, but they don't always cause symptoms.

The Real Questions to Ask

Instead of "What does my MRI show?" ask:

1. "How does my body move and function?"
2. "What patterns led to this pain?"
3. "How is my nervous system responding?"
4. "What can I do to improve function?"

These functional questions often provide better insight into treatment than structural findings.

How the Matterhorn Method Goes Beyond the MRI

We use MRI results as one piece of information, not the whole picture.

Our evaluation focuses on:

1. Movement assessment - How does your body actually function?
2. Nervous system evaluation - What patterns are driving your symptoms?
3. Pain psychology - How are fear and beliefs affecting your experience?
4. Whole-body integration - What compensations are contributing to the problem?

This gives us a complete picture of what's really causing your symptoms.

Pro Tip: The MRI Reality Check Questions

When reviewing MRI results, ask your provider:

1. "Are these findings typical for my age?"
2. "Do these findings correlate with my symptoms?"
3. "What percentage of people with these findings have no pain?"
4. "How will this change my treatment plan?"
5. "What functional factors should we also consider?"

Final Thoughts

Your MRI shows structure, not function. It shows what tissues look like, not how your nervous system works or why you're in pain.

Don't let an image define your limits or increase your fear. Focus on what you can control: how you move, how you manage stress, and how you support your body's natural healing processes.

The Matterhorn Method helps you look beyond the MRI to address the functional causes of pain - so you can get back to the activities you love.

Book your evaluation today and discover what your body can do, not just what your images show.