Many patients expect an MRI to provide simple answers.



You have pain → you get imaging → you find the problem → pain goes away.

Unfortunately, pain is often more complicated than that.

One of the most frustrating experiences for patients is hearing: “Your MRI looks normal.” Equally confusing? Being told your MRI shows multiple abnormalities when you do not feel much pain at all.

The truth is this: MRI findings do not always explain symptoms as clearly as people expect.

Understanding why can help make the process of finding answers much less frustrating.

An MRI Shows Structures—Not Always Pain

MRIs are excellent tools for viewing structures inside the body.

They can identify things such as:

• Disc abnormalities
• Joint changes
• Arthritis
• Nerve compression
• Soft tissue injuries
• Spinal degeneration

What MRIs cannot always determine is whether those findings are actually causing your symptoms. Many people have imaging abnormalities without experiencing pain.

Likewise, some patients experience significant pain despite relatively minor imaging findings.

Why Imaging Findings Can Be Misleading

Many MRI reports include terms that sound alarming:

• Bulging discs
• Degenerative changes
• Arthritis
• Disc protrusions
• Narrowing or stenosis

While these findings may sound concerning, many are extremely common—even among people without symptoms.

This is why treating MRI results alone rather than treating the patient can sometimes lead to confusion.

Pain Can Come From Multiple Sources

Pain is rarely as simple as one structure causing one symptom.

Pain may involve:

• Muscles
• Joints
• Nerves
• Ligaments
• Discs
• Inflammation
• Multiple overlapping conditions

For example, two patients with identical MRI findings may experience completely different symptoms.

Why Chronic Pain Evaluation Matters

A proper chronic pain evaluation looks beyond imaging alone.

This process often includes:

• Symptom history
• Physical examination
• Activity patterns
• Neurological evaluation
• Previous injuries or surgeries
• Functional limitations

Imaging becomes more useful when combined with a complete clinical evaluation.

Sometimes Additional Diagnostic Testing Is Needed

When symptoms and imaging do not clearly match, additional diagnostic testing may help identify the source of pain.

Depending on symptoms, testing may include:

• Electrodiagnostic testing (EMG)
• Diagnostic nerve blocks
• Ultrasound evaluation
• Selective injections
• Functional assessments

These tools can sometimes provide information that imaging alone cannot.

Why Finding the Source of Pain Matters

Effective treatment depends on understanding what is actually causing symptoms.

Without accurate pain diagnosis, treatment may focus on the wrong structures—or fail to address the true source of pain entirely.

The goal is not simply identifying abnormalities.

The goal is identifying which abnormalities actually matter.

Pain Is Real—Even When Imaging Doesn’t Give Clear Answers

Patients sometimes worry that normal imaging means their pain is “in their head.”

That is not how pain works.

Persistent symptoms deserve proper evaluation, especially when they interfere with work, exercise, sleep, or daily activities.

At California Sports & Spine Institute, Dr. Maxim Moradian and the team combine clinical evaluation, diagnostic testing, and advanced pain assessment techniques to better understand complex pain conditions and create personalized treatment plans.

If you have pain but still feel like you do not have answers, contact California Sports & Spine Institute at (818) 338-6860 or (626) 460-1096 to schedule a consultation and explore your diagnostic options.