Back & Neck Pain

Specialist spine radiology for back pain, neck pain, sciatica and spinal injury combining advanced imginag with precision CT-guided spinal injections where indicated.

Pain is not the diagnosis

Back pain improves when the true source is identified.

Many patients with back pain or sciatica have already had imaging. The challenge is often not access to scans, but understanding which finding explains the symptoms. Common changes such as disc bulges, degeneration and narrowing are frequently seen. The key question is which of these findings is clinically relevant. You can read more on how to correctly diagnose back pain and how to treat back pain on our Insights page.

At MBR Health, specialist spine radiology combines advanced imaging with subspecialist interpretation and interventional expertise to identify the likely pain generator and guide targeted treatment. The value of imaging lies not in how many abnormalities are reported, but in whether the right one is understood.

Dynamic MRI Cervical Spine

Post-surgical Neuroma on 3T MRI NerveVIEW

Finding the Cause

Not just what’s there, but what’s causing it.

Many spinal imaging reports describe structural findings clearly but do not always answer which finding is actually responsible for the patient’s symptoms. Back and neck pain are not generic diagnoses. Similar symptoms can arise from disc pathology, facet joint disease, nerve root compression, spinal stenosis, ligamentous injury or post-surgical change — and identifying the likely pain generator requires more than listing abnormalities.

At MBR Health, spinal imaging is designed to answer a more precise clinical question: what is the likely source of this patient’s pain, and does the imaging correlate with their presentation? This diagnostic approach ensures your referring clinician receives a report that is not only accurate but clinically actionable.

The source matters

Common causes of back & neck pain.

Disc-related Pain

Disc bulge, herniation, annular injury and disc degeneration 
can cause local pain, sciatica or referral into the arm or leg.

Facet-mediated Pain

Facet arthropathy and joint inflammation can produce localised 
spinal pain and stiffness, particularly with extension, twisting or loading.

Radicular Pain

Nerve root irritation or compression can cause sharp, radiating pain, 
tingling, numbness or weakness in the arm or leg.

Stenotic Pain

Central canal or foraminal narrowing can affect walking tolerance, 
posture, nerve function and long-term symptom behaviour.

Soft-tissue or Ligamentous Pain

Postural overload, strain and soft-tissue injury, such as whiplash trauma, 
can contribute to persistent pain and reduced spinal mobility.

Post-surgical or Complex Spine Pain

Ongoing symptoms after surgery can be linked to scar tissue, recurring disc problems, changes in surrounding areas, or when previous findings don’t quite match how you’re feeling.

specialist spine imaging & Interventional Radiology

3T MRI for Back Pain & Sciatica

A 3T spine MRI provides high-resolution imaging of discs, nerves, joints, ligaments, marrow and soft tissues.

Best for: back pain, neck pain, sciatica, radiculopathy, nerve symptoms, disc injury and post-surgical review.

MRI Discography

A specialised MRI that assesses how a disc is responding after injury. It’s designed to help identify areas of ongoing repair and support a clearer link between imaging findings and symptoms.

Best for: back pain, neck pain, disc-related pain and selected post-surgical spine review.

MRI NerveVIEW

A specialised MRI that looks for signs of nerve irritation or inflammation, helping us better understand what may be causing your symptoms.

Best for: back pain, neck pain, sciatica, radiculopathy, nerve symptoms and selected post-surgical review.

Spectral CT for Spine Assessment

Spectral CT provides a detailed view of the bones in the spine, including joints, areas of narrowing, and changes from wear, injury or surgery. It’s especially helpful when we need more clarity or when MRI doesn’t show the full picture.

Best for: facet arthritis, bony stenosis, post-surgical spine assessment, hardware review and complex structural correlation.

World-class quantitative 3T MRI at MBR Health

Why Our Spine Assessment Is Different

The useful part of spine imaging is correlation.

Many spine scans show several findings — things like disc bulges, wear and tear, or areas of narrowing. But not all of these are actually causing pain. At MBR Health, we interpret your scan in the context of your symptoms. By combining advanced imaging with specialist review, we focus on identifying the finding that truly matters and guiding the next step with clarity.

What makes spine imaging useful isn’t how many changes are listed — it’s understanding which one is responsible for your symptoms. Back pain is frustrating; especially when you’ve already had scans but still don’t have clear answers.

CT-guided spine injection

ct-guided spinal injections: Why Precision Delivery Matters

In the spine, precision is part of treatment quality.

The structures in the spine are small, and everyone’s anatomy is a little different — especially after surgery. That means placing treatment close to the problem isn’t the same as placing it exactly where it needs to be. At MBR Health, when procedures are needed, we use CT guidance to place treatment with precision and confirm the exact position.

“Precision imaging is not about using the only camera available. It is about choosing the best one for the question. In the spine, that difference matters.”

Dr Zane Sherif, Specialist Radiologist

Who May Benefit

Assessment may be considered for patients with:

Disclaimer

The information on this page is intended as general health information only and does not constitute medical advice. The conditions and symptoms listed on this page are provided as a general guide to the potential applications of spinal imaging at MBR Health and do not imply that any specific imaging or treatment is appropriate for every patient described.

Back and neck pain are among the most common presenting complaints in clinical medicine and in most cases do not require imaging. Imaging is generally recommended when symptoms are severe, persistent, progressive or associated with neurological features such as arm or leg pain, numbness, tingling or weakness. The decision to arrange spinal imaging should be made in consultation with your GP or specialist. Spinal imaging findings must be interpreted carefully in the context of your symptoms, neurological examination and full clinical history. Degenerative changes identified on imaging are common in the cervical and lumbar spine and may not be the direct cause of your symptoms. Imaging reports describe findings and observations. Diagnoses, treatment decisions and clinical management are made by your treating medical practitioner.

A referral from a GP or specialist is required for all imaging at MBR Health.

Persistent Neck Pain

Cervical spine and neck imaging at MBR Health may be appropriate for patients with persistent or recurrent neck pain that has not responded to conservative management, neck pain associated with arm pain, numbness, tingling or weakness, headache originating from the neck, symptoms following whiplash or neck injury.

Persistent Back Pain

Pain lasting more than several weeks despite rest, physiotherapy or conservative care.

Sciatica or Radicular Pain

Pain radiating into the arm or leg, with numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Injury or Post-traumatic Pain

Pain following lifting injury, accident, sport or spinal trauma.

Recurrent Flare-ups

Repeated episodes limiting mobility, work, exercise, or daily function.

Post-surgical Symptoms

Persistent or recurrent symptoms after spinal surgery.

Unclear Prior Imaging

Patients whose previous scans have shown abnormalities but not clearly explained the pain pattern.

Common Questions from Patients

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best scan for back pain?

The best scan for back pain depends on what we’re trying to find. A 3T MRI gives detailed information about discs, nerves and soft tissues. CT, or Spectral CT, is more useful when we need a closer look at the bones, joints or changes from injury or surgery.

Where can I get back pain imaging on the Gold Coast?

MBR Health provides advanced spine imaging on the Gold Coast for back pain, neck pain, sciatica, disc-related conditions and post-surgical symptoms. Imaging is tailored to the clinical question and may include 3T MRI, Spectral CT or other targeted approaches.

Can MRI show a trapped nerve or sciatica?

Yes. Advanced MRI can identify nerve irritation, disc-related changes and areas where nerves may be under pressure. These findings can help explain symptoms such as sciatica, radiating pain, numbness, tingling or weakness.

What causes back pain that goes down the leg?

Back pain radiating down the leg may be caused by nerve irritation or compression, often from disc herniation, foraminal narrowing, spinal stenosis or other causes of lumbar radiculopathy.

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis means narrowing of the spinal canal or the spaces where nerves travel. This can contribute to back pain, leg heaviness, burning, numbness, or reduced walking tolerance. Imaging helps show where the narrowing is occurring and how severe it may be.

What is the difference between a disc bulge and a disc herniation?

A disc bulge is a broader extension of disc material beyond the normal disc margin. A disc herniation is a more focal protrusion or extrusion of disc material and may be more likely to irritate or compress a nearby nerve. The clinical significance depends on the location, size and whether symptoms match the imaging.

Can CT show spine arthritis?

Yes. CT can show bony detail very well and may help assess facet joint arthritis, bony stenosis, calcified disc material, and post-surgical anatomy. MRI and CT answer different questions, so the best test depends on the structure being assessed.

When should I get imaging for back pain?

Imaging may be considered when pain is persistent, recurrent, associated with arm or leg symptoms, follows injury, fails to improve with conservative care, or when the symptom pattern suggests nerve compression or a more specific structural cause. The decision should be guided by the clinical question rather than imaging for its own sake.

Can MRI show post-surgical scar tissue?

MRI can help assess post-surgical changes, including scar tissue, recurrent disc disease, residual narrowing, or other structural causes of ongoing symptoms. In some cases, CT may also be useful, especially where hardware or bony anatomy need closer review.

What is radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy refers to symptoms caused by irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root. It may cause pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or altered sensation radiating into the arm or leg.

Does this page include treatment options for back pain?

This page focuses on diagnosis-led assessment of back pain and spine injury. Where imaging identifies a treatable pain generator, patients may then explore image-guided treatment options through our Regenerative & Targeted Therapies pathways.

Where can I get specialist CT-guided spinal procedures on the Gold Coast?

MBR Health provides specialist CT-guided spinal procedures on the Gold Coast within an advanced radiology environment, allowing diagnostic imaging, procedural planning and precision treatment to remain connected.

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