Q1: I have heel pain for months despite physiotherapy and stretching. Should I do an MRI?
Yes. Chronic heel pain may be caused by partial plantar fascia or Achilles tendon tears, tarsal tunnel nerve entrapment, stress fractures, or early arthritis. X-rays and ultrasound often miss these injuries. MRI provides radiation-free, high-resolution images of bones, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues, helping doctors pinpoint the exact cause. Delaying MRI risks prolonged pain and ineffective therapy.

Q2: Can physiotherapy or orthotics replace MRI for heel pain?
No. Physiotherapy, orthotics, massage, or anti-inflammatories may ease symptoms temporarily but cannot confirm or exclude serious underlying injuries. Only MRI can reveal hidden tendon tears, nerve compression, or stress fractures, ensuring accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Q3: What are the risks of delaying MRI for persistent heel pain?
Ignoring chronic heel pain may allow tendon injuries or stress fractures to worsen, increasing the risk of rupture, chronic inflammation, nerve damage, or permanent functional limitations. Early MRI ensures timely and targeted treatment.

Q4: Why is MRI better than X-ray, CT, or ultrasound for heel pain?
X-rays detect only bone abnormalities, CT is limited for soft tissues, and ultrasound may miss deep tendon or ligament injuries. MRI visualizes all relevant structures clearly, without radiation, enabling accurate diagnosis of tendon, ligament, cartilage, and nerve issues.

Q5: Where can I get a fast, affordable heel MRI in Singapore?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, done within 1 working day, with non-surgical treatment options to help you recover safely and return to daily activities or sports.

Q1: Why do headaches occur with neck stiffness?
Headaches with neck stiffness often come from tension in cervical muscles, irritated joints, or pinched nerves in the neck. MRI can determine if a disc or joint is pressing on nerves that refer pain to the head.

Q2: Can posture or stress cause these headaches?
Poor posture and muscle strain can trigger symptoms, but if pain persists despite rest or therapy, a structural issue should be ruled out with MRI.

Q3: What risks come from ignoring chronic neck-related headaches?
Ongoing nerve compression or joint inflammation can worsen and become chronic, leading to reduced range of motion and persistent headaches. MRI prevents misdiagnosis and wasted time on ineffective treatments.

Q4: How does MRI help compared to X-ray or CT?
MRI provides high-resolution, radiation-free images of discs, joints, and nerves. X-rays show only bone alignment, while CT scans miss many soft tissue causes of headaches.

Q5: Where can I get an MRI for neck-related headaches?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, done within 1 working day, with non-surgical treatment options to help you recover safely.

Q1: What happens to the neck during whiplash?
Whiplash can overstretch or tear cervical ligaments and discs, even in low-impact accidents. These injuries often go undetected on X-rays but can cause lasting pain and stiffness. MRI identifies such hidden damage.

Q2: Should I wait before doing MRI after whiplash?
If pain, stiffness, or headaches persist beyond a few days, MRI should be done. Waiting too long may lead to chronic instability or nerve irritation that becomes harder to treat.

Q3: Can physiotherapy alone fix whiplash injuries?
Physiotherapy may help mild cases, but if pain persists or radiates to arms, MRI is essential to check for deeper injuries. Continuing therapy without diagnosis risks worsening the damage.

Q4: Why is MRI necessary after accidents?
MRI provides detailed, radiation-free images of soft tissues, discs, and ligaments — areas often missed by X-rays or CT scans.

Q5: Where can I get an affordable MRI after whiplash?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, done within 1 working day, with non-surgical treatment options to help you recover safely.

Q1: Why are my hands tingling or numb?
Tingling or numbness in the hands often comes from nerve compression in the cervical spine caused by disc herniation or degeneration. MRI can confirm whether nerves in the neck are being pinched, something no physical exam or therapy can guarantee.

Q2: Can therapy or rest help nerve-related symptoms?
Short trials of physiotherapy or rest may ease symptoms if mild. However, persistent tingling or numbness means nerve irritation may be ongoing. Without MRI, serious or progressive nerve damage could be missed.

Q3: What are the risks of delaying MRI for hand numbness?
Untreated cervical nerve compression can lead to weakness, reduced grip, and permanent loss of sensation. MRI helps identify treatable nerve compression early, improving recovery outcomes.

Q4: How does MRI compare to other scans?
MRI clearly shows spinal discs, nerves, and soft tissue without radiation. X-rays can only reveal bone problems, and CT scans are less accurate for detecting nerve compression.

Q5: Where can I get a neck MRI quickly and affordably?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, done within 1 working day, with non-surgical treatment options to help you recover safely.

Q1: Why does neck pain radiate to my arms?
Neck pain radiating to the arms often comes from a cervical disc herniation, nerve compression, or spinal stenosis. These conditions irritate or pinch nerves that travel from the neck to the arms. While physiotherapy or medication may reduce tension, they cannot confirm if a nerve is trapped. Only an MRI can clearly visualize the disc, nerve, and spinal cord to confirm the exact cause.

Q2: Can physiotherapy or chiropractic help without MRI?
Physiotherapy, chiropractic, or massage may relieve mild muscle-related symptoms. However, if pain radiates to the arms or persists beyond 2–3 weeks, continuing therapy without an MRI can delay the correct diagnosis. MRI ensures your pain is not caused by a serious or worsening structural condition.

Q3: What happens if I delay getting a neck MRI?
Delaying MRI may allow disc or nerve injuries to worsen, potentially leading to chronic pain, arm weakness, numbness, or even permanent nerve damage. Early MRI helps prevent long-term complications.

Q4: Why is MRI better than X-ray or CT for neck pain?
MRI provides clear, radiation-free imaging of soft tissues, spinal discs, ligaments, and nerves. X-rays only show bones and alignment, while CT scans expose patients to radiation and are less sensitive for soft tissue problems.

Q5: Where can I get a fast, affordable neck MRI in Singapore?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, done within 1 working day, with non-surgical treatment options to help you recover safely.