GBU S2-E28 Imaging Addiction: When More Scans Mean More Problems

Imaging Addiction: When More Scans Mean More Problems”We live in an era where MRIs, X-rays, and scans are only a click away—but are we actually helping patients, or just complicating care?In this episode, we dig into the overuse of medical imaging in musculoskeletal care and why “just getting an MRI” often creates more confusion, fear, and barriers to recovery. As physical therapists, we see the downstream effects every day: patients identifying with findings that don’t match their pain, delayed treatment while waiting on imaging, and increased anxiety over normal age-related changes.We discuss:Why imaging is often ordered too early and too oftenHow incidental findings can hijack the rehab processThe difference between tissue pathology and painWhen imaging actually is useful—and when it’s notWhy over-reliance on scans makes our job as physical therapists harder, not easierThis episode isn’t anti-imaging—it’s pro-clinical reasoning, patient education, and smarter decision-making. If you’ve ever struggled to help a patient “unsee” their MRI report, this conversation is for you.