My MRI Shows Degenerative Changes-Does that mean I'll Have Pain?

When you hear the term "spinal degeneration" what comes to mind? Many

people immediately associate it with pain or discomfort. After all, conditions like

herniated discs, arthritis, or stenosis are often linked to back or neck pain. However,

there’s good news: recent research shows that spinal degeneration is commonly found

in people who experience no symptoms at all.

What does this mean for you? Just because imaging reveals signs of spinal

degeneration doesn’t mean pain or dysfunction is inevitable—or even present. So, how

can you work with healthcare providers like those at Core Essentials Physical Therapy

and Wellness to manage your spinal health effectively? Read on to learn more!

What Recent Studies Found

A systematic review examined multiple studies that used MRI, CT scans, and X-

rays to identify features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic individuals—people

who didn’t report any back or neck pain. The key findings were striking:

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High Prevalence of Disc Degeneration: A large number of asymptomatic people,

particularly those over 30, showed signs of disc degeneration. In some age groups,

as many as 50-80% of individuals had some form of spinal degeneration visible on

imaging.

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Herniated Discs Without Pain: Disc bulges and even herniations were frequently

seen in people without any symptoms. This suggests that these changes, while often

associated with pain, may not always cause discomfort or impair function.

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Age-Related Changes: As expected, the prevalence of spinal degeneration

increased with age. However, even young individuals in their 20s and 30s displayed

features like disc degeneration or facet joint arthritis without reporting any back pain.

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Variability Across Populations: There were variations in the types and severity of

spinal changes depending on factors like age, lifestyle, and individual anatomy,

further demonstrating that spinal degeneration is a complex and multifaceted issue.

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What Does This Mean for You?

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For many people, hearing that they have a “degenerative disc” or “herniated disc”

based on an MRI can be alarming, leading to concerns about the need for surgery or

lifelong pain. However, this review shows that these changes are incredibly common

and often don't lead to symptoms. In fact, many people live their lives with significant

spinal degeneration without ever knowing it!

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Here’s why this matters:

Imaging Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story: While imaging is a useful tool for

diagnosing certain conditions, it’s important to remember that the presence of spinal

degeneration on an MRI or X-ray doesn’t always mean pain or dysfunction. Your

physical symptoms, lifestyle, and overall function are more important indicators of

whether treatment is necessary.

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Age-Related Changes Are Normal: Just like wrinkles and gray hair, changes in the

spine are a normal part of aging. They don’t always require treatment unless they

are accompanied by symptoms like pain, weakness, or reduced mobility.

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Focus on Function, Not Fear: Instead of worrying about what’s visible on imaging,

it’s more beneficial to focus on maintaining mobility, strength, and flexibility. A

proactive approach to physical health can keep your spine healthy and functional,

even if imaging shows degenerative changes.

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How Core Essentials Can Help

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At Core Essentials Physical Therapy and Wellness, we take a holistic approach

to spinal health. We understand that imaging results can sometimes cause unnecessary

anxiety, especially if you aren’t experiencing symptoms. Our goal is to help you maintain

or improve your spinal health through personalized care that focuses on function,

movement, and overall well-being.

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Here’s how we can help:

Comprehensive Evaluations: We don’t just rely on imaging. Our skilled therapists

will assess your movement patterns, joint and muscular mobility, kinetic chain

biomechanics, posture, and functional abilities to get a full picture of your spinal

health.

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Targeted Exercise Programs: If you do have spinal degeneration, we design

exercise programs that strengthen your core and imbalances in the hips and

midback, improve flexibility where needed, address ergonomics and biomechanics,

and teach you techniques reduce strain on your spine in the day-to-day activities you

participate in.

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Education and Support: We’ll guide you through understanding your imaging

results, how they may relate emphasizing that degenerative changes don’t always

lead to symptoms, and help you focus on the best ways to maintain a healthy spine.

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Preventative Care: Even if you’re asymptomatic, staying proactive with your spinal

health can prevent future issues. Our wellness programs focus on mobility, posture,

and strength to keep your spine functioning optimally as you age.

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Take Charge of Your Spinal Health Today!

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If you’ve had imaging that shows spinal degeneration or are concerned about

your back or neck, don’t wait for symptoms to arise. Contact our team at Core

Essentials Physical Therapy and Wellness for a comprehensive evaluation and learn

how we can help you maintain a strong, healthy spine.

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Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take control of your spinal health.

Phone: (904) 734-0200

Email: info@ceptwellness.com

Location: 472 Osceola Ave, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Book an appointment here

Reference:

Michaleff, Z. A., Maher, C. G., Lin, C. W. C., van Tulder, M., Logan, G., & Latimer, J.

(2015). Systematic review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in

asymptomatic populations. The Spine Journal, 15(5), 1173-1191.

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