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Spine MRI for back pain, neck pain and sciatica.

Whether it's a stiff neck from desk work, a gym injury or sciatica that won't let up, an MRI shows the discs, nerves and joints of your spine. Your GP uses it to decide between physiotherapy, an injection or a specialist opinion.

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Phone or video GPAssessed remotely, no NHS referral needed

Scanned within daysAt a partner centre near you in London

Specialist reportBy a consultant radiologist, typically within 48 hours

Explained by a GPA call to go through your results and next steps

At a glance

Targeted. We scan the neck, mid back or lower back to match your symptoms, or the whole spine where needed.
Best for nerve pain. MRI is most useful when pain spreads into an arm or leg, or isn't improving as expected.
Leads to a plan. Your GP matches the report to your symptoms and arranges physiotherapy or a specialist.

Signs a spine MRI could help

Sciatica: pain, numbness or tingling travelling down the leg
Arm pain or pins and needles coming from the neck
Back or neck pain that hasn't improved after several weeks
Planning treatment, such as a spinal injection or a surgical opinion
Reassurance after a fall or injury, once your GP has assessed you

A single area of the spine typically takes around 20 to 30 minutes in the scanner.

A doctor pointing out features on a spine X-ray

Go to A&E straight away if back pain comes with:

Numbness around your bottom or genitals
New problems passing urine or controlling your bladder or bowels
Weakness or numbness in both legs, or legs that suddenly give way
Fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer

These can be signs of nerve compression that needs emergency treatment, sometimes called cauda equina syndrome.

Reading a spine report

Many people without back pain have "wear and tear" on MRI. Disc bulges and age-related changes are common and often unrelated to symptoms. That's why your GP interprets the report alongside your examination, rather than treating every finding.

Most back pain improves with time and the right exercise. If your scan supports that, we can arrange physiotherapy with an experienced physiotherapist.

Spine scans in London

Back and neck pain can make long journeys uncomfortable, so your GP assessment is by phone or video. We book the scan at the partner centre easiest for you to reach, so you are not sitting on a long Tube or train journey.

If you find a standard scanner too enclosed, open upright MRI is available in Fitzrovia.