When Should You Get a Scan for Your Injury?

It is common for people to feel that in order to know what is causing their pain, they need to have a scan. However, there are many benefits to not getting a scan straight away.

Benefits of not getting a scan straight away:

• Faster recovery: Scientific evidence shows that patients presenting with musculoskeletal injuries have faster recoveries if they do not have a scan.
• Reduced potential exposure to radiation: Scans use radiation, which can be harmful in high doses. By avoiding scans, you can reduce your exposure to radiation.
• Holistic treatment: Therapists can treat the patient holistically, rather than focusing on treating the scan results. This can lead to better overall outcomes.
• False positives: Scans can pick up false positives, which can lead to unnecessary treatment.

When should you get a scan?

• If you have a serious pathology: If your doctor or therapist suspects that you have a serious pathology, such as a fracture, tumor, infection, or fever, then you may need a scan to confirm the diagnosis.
• If you have not gotten better after several sessions: If you have been seeing a therapist for several sessions and your pain has not improved, then a scan may be helpful to rule out any underlying conditions.
• If your injury is getting worse with treatment: If your injury is getting worse despite treatment, then a scan may be helpful to determine the cause of the problem and develop a new treatment plan.

It is important to talk to your doctor or therapist to decide if a scan is right for you.