JoeWras
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2012
- Messages
- 11,738
Agree.However, those things can be present and may not be the cause. Which is why symptom evaluation is important, as is developing a differential diagnosis of all of the most likely causes, based upon that.
I'm not saying that an MRI is not important. I just disagree with the premise that you can't start the process without one. I had an MRI nearly 20 years ago and it showed a herniated disc, however it was not the cause of my pain.
I held off the MRI for a long time. First of all, insurance wouldn't pay without first trying all the conservative stuff. Second of all, some providers may jump to too aggressive treatment when they get that MRI in their hand.
My first incidence, which sounds a lot like the OP's, solved after 4 months of gentle exercise. Back then, an MRI was brand new and would take an act of congress to get. We were headed in that direction, but my situation resolved, even though an MRI would have probably showed a herniation. Doesn't matter, my body worked it enough to give me the relief I needed for many years.
MRIs are awesome and all, but I think people generally jump to them way too fast. Insurance typically has it right in this case to "force" people into conservative treatment first.
Of course, if you have bowel or bladder issues, etc., that is different.