Experiencing Low Back Pain? When to Get a Scan and What Your MRI Really Means

…and meet the new expert who can help.

We’re thrilled to welcome Simen Sletten to the PROmotion Health physiotherapy team — and if you’ve been dealing with low back pain, disc issues or sciatica, his arrival is very good news.

Simen is a senior musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapist with a decade of experience treating complex spinal injuries. He has a particular interest in disc-related back pain, nerve pain and persistent or recurring episodes, and he brings a rare level of expertise to our clinic.

He holds two Master’s degrees — Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (University of Bergen, Norway) and Sports Physiotherapy (Curtin University) and has worked closely with:

Orthopaedic spinal surgeons
Neurologists and rheumatologists
Psychologists and pain specialists
Elite athletes, including the Norwegian Men’s Alpine Ski Team

Whether your pain is recent, ongoing or confusing — you’re in safe hands.

Do You Actually Need a Scan?

This is one of the most common questions people ask.
Most low back pain does not require an MRI straight away.
A scan may be helpful when:

Sciatica or leg pain isn’t improving
Symptoms suggest nerve involvement
Pain persists despite good rehabilitation
Bone stress injury is suspected (especially in younger athletes)
Your physiotherapist or GP identifies red flags

What matters most is your clinical presentation — not just how painful your back feels.

What Most People Don’t Realise About MRI Findings

MRI reports can sound alarming, even when the findings are completely normal.
Research scanning people with no back pain at all found:

80% of people in their 50s had disc degeneration
1 in 3 adults had a herniated disc
None of them had symptoms

These findings can be normal age-related changes — like wrinkles or grey hair — not necessarily the cause of pain.
This is where interpretation becomes crucial:
some findings matter, some don’t, and the key is knowing the difference.

Why Expertise Matters

For many people, uncertainty is the hardest part of back pain:

Am I damaging something?
Should I stop exercising?
Do I need a scan?
My MRI looks scary — what does it actually mean?

We specialise in bringing clarity to these questions, combining detailed assessment with clear explanation and a practical, confidence-building plan.

Whether this is your first episode of back pain or your tenth, you will be supported with expert care and genuine understanding at PROmotion Health.