One of the drivers of our high healthcare costs are the new technologies that are available to physicians and hospitals. I often see patients after they already had an MRI, but no useful information was found.   Or people are getting treated and getting better, but get the MRI anyway because it was already scheduled.   (Not all the new technology increases costs as many – particularly those related to surgery can drive down costs dramatically as what was one done in-patient for a week is now an outpatient procedure). However some technology such as MRIs for back pain are sometimes being used non-judiciously and likely driving up costs.

In 2001 a study was done that looked at MRI for back pain and the authors concluded: “Many MR imaging findings have a high prevalence in subjects without low back pain. These findings are therefore of limited diagnostic use. “

A new study was just released that was a follow up to the 2001 study.   They used the same data, but looked at 3 year followup in patients that received a second MRI.  They applied some stricter standards hoping to see more positive results, however the study still showed the most MRIs for back pain are not clinically useful.

Therefore before getting an MRI for back pain consider other beneficial therapies.  Since I am an acupuncturist I say try acupuncture as even Medicare now covers acupuncture for low back pain. In addition other treatments such osteopathic, cranial sacral, chiropractic, massage or PT are likely more cost effective approaches than just getting an MRI.

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