New Open MRI Technology A Welcome Advancement For Back Pain Sufferers

It’s estimated that nearly 80% of adults suffer from some form of back pain at some point in their lives. It is the number 1 cause for workers’ compensation claims in the U.S..S. I have back pain, and I can tell you firsthand, it’s quite painful.

Most persons who suffer from chronic back pain, spinal or lumbar stenosis, sciatica, neck pain, or most other types of back pain who are lucky enough to have a good health insurance program will see a back pain specialist for diagnosis and treatment. And one of the most feared tests is the MRI. While it’s necessary to fix your back problem, the experience of 45 minutes in a tight metal tube was very stressful. The patient is totally surrounded in a metal container, and if you don’t have claustrophobia, you haven’t ever had an MRI. I’ve never been claustrophobic, but that was before I took my first MRI!

Well, good news for back pain sufferers! The new “Open MRI” technology now available in many hospitals and clinics enables the patient to have a complete MRI without the metal coffin. The Open MRI procedure can be given to the patient as he or she stands upright in the open air. There’s no more claustrophobia using the Open Air MRI! And this procedure is covered by most insuance companies–at least for now. But how long this is the case depends greatly on the new health care bill being developed in Washington.

The Open MRI procedure should entice more persons, who suffer from chronic back pain or who have hurt their backs in a fall or in an accident,or who just have hurt their backs by lifting something up or turning the wrong way, to seek a specialist’s help. They don’t have to fear that dreaded MRI procedure any more.No more fears about being buried alive!