Do I Need a Scan Before Seeing a Physio? If you’re dealing with back pain, neck pain, knee pain or...
Read MoreIf you’re dealing with back pain, neck pain, knee pain or shoulder pain, it’s completely normal to wonder whether you should “get a scan first”, especially if your pain is persistent or flares every time you try to exercise.
Here’s the good news: in most cases, you don’t need imaging before starting physiotherapy, and many scan findings don’t automatically tell us what you can and can’t do.
Why scans don’t always match pain
Scans are excellent at showing structure, but pain is more complex than structure alone. You can have a scan that looks “worrying” and feel fine, or a scan that looks “normal” and feel awful.
A major systematic review (Brinjikji et al., 2015) looked at spinal imaging findings in people without back pain and found “degenerative” features are extremely common and increase with age. For example, disc degeneration was found in 37% of pain-free 20-year-olds and 96% of pain-free 80-year-olds.
This is why a scan report needs to be interpreted in context – not in isolation.
How we assess your pain and movement
We take a holistic approach, combining your symptoms, movement, lifestyle and goals to work out what’s driving your pain and what will help most.
When you see a physiotherapist, we don’t just look for “what’s damaged.” We look at:
your symptoms and how they behave (what makes it better/worse)
your function (walking, sitting, training, sleep)
strength, mobility and control
lifestyle factors (work setup, training loads, stress, recovery)
your goals (back to sport, back to work, back to life)
If you already have a scan, we’ll use it as helpful context – but we still match it to your symptoms and what we find on assessment. Two people with similar MRI wording can feel very different and need totally different plans.
When imaging is helpful
Imaging is most useful when it’s likely to change what happens next – for example, to rule out a more serious cause or to guide a referral pathway (such as specialist review).
For example, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) guidance for imaging in adults with acute low back pain notes that most people with acute low back pain don’t need imaging, and that scans are mainly recommended when there’s a strong clinical suspicion of a serious underlying cause. In cases of nerve-type pain (radicular symptoms), imaging generally isn’t recommended early unless symptoms are severe, not improving, and surgery is being considered.
If imaging would genuinely change what we do next, we’ll tell you and help guide the right referral pathway.
Do I need a GP referral for a scan?
If imaging is required, both your physiotherapist and general practitioner can refer you for scans, but some scans (like ultrasound for example) are rebated/cheaper when a GP refers, so its best to have a conversation with your physiotherapist first.
Bottom line
In most cases, you don’t need a scan before you see a physiotherapist in Brisbane. If imaging is needed, it’s usually because it will genuinely change what happens next. Otherwise, a thorough assessment and a tailored plan are often the best first step.
If you’ve had a scan and you’re unsure what it means, bring the report – we’ll explain what’s relevant and help you move forward with confidence.
Disclaimer: This content is for general information and educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physiotherapist, GP, or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or before starting any exercise program.
Nicholas Whimp
Nicholas is a registered physiotherapist at AHF Physiotherapy (Brisbane CBD) with qualifications in Physiotherapy and Exercise & Movement Science, plus Clinical Pilates (Level 1) and Kinetic Link Training (KLT Level 2). He combines hands-on treatment (joint and soft tissue mobilisation, trigger point therapy) with tailored exercise rehabilitation to build long-term strength, stability and injury prevention. Nicholas has a special interest in neck and lower back pain and sports-related injuries, and enjoys helping people understand their symptoms and return to confident movement.
Not sure what your pain is telling you?
Book a physiotherapy appointment and we’ll assess what’s going on, explain what your symptoms mean, and give you a clear plan to move forward.
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