--- title: Don't let that MRI scare you... We are way more than what our imaging report says description: Disc herniation in your lower back is VERY common... But it may not be causing your back pain. Here's what to do when you're diagnosed with disc herniation or other musculoskeletal conditions after an x-ray or MRI. Read more on the Natural Wellness Physiotherapy blog. image: https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hubfs/spine.png --- [Skip to main content](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/dont-let-that-mri-scare-you...-we-are-way-more-than-what-our-imaging-report-says#main) [![Logos (1)-1](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1)-1.png?width=110&height=110&name=Logos%20(1)-1.png) ![Logos (1)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1).png?width=250&height=250&name=Logos%20(1).png) ![Logos (1)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1).png?width=250&height=250&name=Logos%20(1).png) ![Logos (1)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20(1).png?width=100&height=100&name=Logos%20(1).png)](https://www.teamnaturalwellness.com/) - [Home](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com) - [About Us](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/-about-us) - [Show submenu for Free Resources Free Resources](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/free-resources) - [Testimonials](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/resources/testimonials) - [Show submenu for Services Services](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services) - [Manual Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/traditional-manual-therapies) - [Dry Needling](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/functional-dry-needling) - [IASTM](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/iastm-graston) - [Myofascial Cupping](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/myofascial-cupping) - [Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/pelvic-floor-physical-therapy) - [Nutrition](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/nutrition) - [Pickleball](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/pickleball) - [Small Group Training](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/small-group-training) - [Affiliate Program](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/affiliate-program) - [Blog](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog) - [Events](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/events-workshops) - [Contact](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/contact) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com) - [About Us](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/-about-us) - Show submenu for Free Resources Free Resources - Free Resources - [Free Resources](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/free-resources) - [Testimonials](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/resources/testimonials) - Show submenu for Services Services - Services - [Services](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services) - [Manual Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/traditional-manual-therapies) - [Dry Needling](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/functional-dry-needling) - [IASTM](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/iastm-graston) - [Myofascial Cupping](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/myofascial-cupping) - [Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/pelvic-floor-physical-therapy) - [Nutrition](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/nutrition) - [Pickleball](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/pickleball) - [Small Group Training](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/small-group-training) - [Affiliate Program](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/affiliate-program) - [Blog](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog) - [Events](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/events-workshops) - [Contact](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/contact) - [Book an appointment NOW](https://intakeq.com/booking/wnvzjm) [Book an appointment NOW](https://intakeq.com/booking/wnvzjm) Blog Categories ### Don't let that MRI scare you... We are way more than what our imaging report says ## ![BLOG_mri](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BLOG_mri.jpeg?width=1280&height=720&name=BLOG_mri.jpeg)   ## As a physically active human, you probably understand the importance of maintaining health and fitness throughout your life. Whether you enjoy running, weightlifting, or playing kickball with your kids, you likely know that injuries can occur and proper treatment is essential for a full recovery.    One of the most common areas of pain we treat here at Natural Wellness is the low back. Multiple studies have shown that *80 percent *of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. That’s a huge number of folks.    So, hypothetically speaking, let’s say you have low back pain. It doesn’t matter if it’s a new injury or chronic pain you’ve been struggling with for years. You just got an MRI on the advice of your family physician. It shows a mild disc herniation in your low back. FINALLY. Your back pain is solved. Right? Well, not quite.    The truth is a large portion of the population is walking around with a disc herniation **right now** AND they have NO pain.    So, what does this mean? Well, while imaging (MRI, x-rays, etc.) can be a great tool to rule out some big scary stuff, oftentimes the pain you are experiencing has *nothing* to do with what might show up on your images. Imaging is not always necessary and can sometimes lead us down a long frustrating treatment path full of injections and unnecessary surgeries.    Here’s why:  ## We are **way mor**e than what our imaging report says.   That MRI is not able to show us all the muscle weaknesses, inflammation, and mobility deficits that are **actually** causing your pain.   It’s also important to note that pain is multifactorial. Increased pain does not equal tissue damage. Things like poor nutrition, lack of sleep, emotional stress, etc. all impact our body’s perception of pain.    So, before you go get a series of injections or that potentially unnecessary surgery to solve a “problem” that’s not actually causing your pain… give us a call or text! (316-290-9158) We even offer free 20-minute [discovery sessions](https://intakeq.com/booking/wnvzjm). We care about your goals and want to get you back to doing the activities you love, pain-free. [![Book a Discovery Call](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/24299954/interactive-123501108599.png)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJPYZlPsHOTj30R3Su3mch6xS5wMw2QFXh1zmsM6b77v%2B%2BoR7pKsmgH7fkBChSQGwAFJ2%2Bb5tX9YsG6RQq3QGQkqs0cJdbTQMkjyzzdBFzt3nno4PM%2FwQFAcuIj6NJXC4mBsorZxPf7juDUKpgCjQfXD1IckGNmMTP2mIyYJ6PbzgDRSFisoBdzr56AIz6rCwnfO9GUKt9K9PTab%2BTZSiXc9B5L35Bhea9CYYiWVTJP8A%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=123501108599&portalId=24299954)   ###### Tags: [mindset,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/mindset) [wellness,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/wellness) [preventative care,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/preventative-care) [mobility,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/mobility) [Dr. Allison,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/dr-allison) [strength training,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/strength-training) [pain relief,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/pain-relief) [back pain,](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/back-pain) [injury](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/tag/injury) ![Dr. Allison Bullinger, PT, DPT](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/allison.jpeg?width=50&height=50&name=allison.jpeg) Post by [Dr. Allison Bullinger, PT, DPT](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/author/dr-allison-bullinger-pt-dpt) Apr 11, 2023 4:00:00 PM Allison received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Wichita State University (2022) after completing her undergrad in Kinesiology at Kansas State University. Working as a CNA throughout her undergrad program, she saw first hand the life-long struggles that people faced with their health and wellness. "I was motivated to get people healthy and stay that way throughout their lives. It pains me to see people struggle and feel like they're just extending their life. I want to help people improve their quality of life and thrive." Allison takes a nuanced approach to client care and focuses on the mental as much as the physical. "I have the chance to help clients feel stronger and more confident in their body; Help them understand how resilient and capable they really are!" Allison is AAMT Dry Needling Certified and has a diverse range of manual therapy training in her tool kit. Outside of seeing clients, Allison spends her time doing water sports, running and spending every opportunity outside. She tries to stay involved in the community and support local small businesses. ### Comments [![Team Natural Wellness](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/hs-fs/hubfs/**NWPT.png?width=83&height=90&name=**NWPT.png)](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com) - [Home](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com) - [About Us](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/-about-us) - [Free Resources](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/free-resources) - [Services](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services) - [Blog](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog) - [Events](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/services/events-workshops) - [Contact](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/contact) **Natural Wellness Physiotherapy ** (316) 290-9158 309 S. Greenwich Rd., Wichita KS 67207 Performance Physical Therapy in Wichita **Get Stronger, Fitter, Faster**: [Sign up for our newsletter](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/newsletter). ©2026 Natural Wellness Physiotherapy - - - Locations we Serve - Locations - Andover - [Andover Physical Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/locations/andover/physical-therapy) - Wichita - [Wichita Physical Therapy](https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/locations/wichita/physical-therapy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Dr. Allison Bullinger, PT, DPT", "url" : "https://go.teamnaturalwellness.com/blog/author/dr-allison-bullinger-pt-dpt" }, "dateModified" : "2023-07-26T20:22:19.606Z", "datePublished" : "2023-04-11T21:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Don't let that MRI scare you... 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