Q1: What is frozen shoulder, and what causes it?
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where the shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful, limiting movement. It may result from injury, prolonged immobility, diabetes, or inflammation. Symptoms include difficulty lifting the arm, reaching behind the back, or performing daily tasks.

Q2: What are the main treatment options for frozen shoulder?
Treatment typically includes:

• Physiotherapy and guided exercises to improve mobility

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief

• Hot therapy or ultrasound therapy to reduce stiffness

• Corticosteroid injections in some cases

These methods aim to reduce pain, restore range of motion, and avoid surgery.

Q3: When should I consider getting an MRI for frozen shoulder?
MRI is recommended if:

• Pain persists despite several weeks of therapy

• Movement is severely restricted

• There is suspicion of underlying rotator cuff tears, tendon injury, or labral damage

MRI provides high-resolution, radiation-free imaging of tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and shoulder structures, confirming diagnosis and guiding targeted treatment.

Q4: Why not rely solely on X-ray, CT, or ultrasound?

• X-rays: Show only bone structure, missing soft tissue problems.

• CT scans: Limited for tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.

• Ultrasound: May miss deep rotator cuff or labral injuries.

MRI is superior because it offers comprehensive imaging of all shoulder structures without radiation, ensuring precise diagnosis.

Q5: Where can I get a fast and affordable MRI for frozen shoulder in Singapore?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, completed within 1 working day. Combined with non-surgical therapies like guided exercises, hot therapy, and physiotherapy, this approach helps restore shoulder mobility safely and effectively.

Q1: When should I consider getting an MRI for neck pain?
MRI is recommended if you experience:

• Persistent neck pain not responding to physiotherapy or medication

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in arms or hands

• Pain limiting work, sports, or daily activities

MRI provides high-resolution, radiation-free imaging of cervical discs, spinal cord, nerves, ligaments, and bones, revealing causes such as disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or ligament injury that X-rays cannot detect.

Q2: When should I consider MRI for back pain?
Back pain that persists despite conservative treatments, or is accompanied by:

• Sciatica or leg weakness

• Loss of bladder or bowel control (red flag)

• Severe pain affecting work or hobbies

MRI allows detailed visualization of discs, nerve roots, ligaments, and vertebrae. It is superior to X-rays, CT, and ultrasound because it shows soft tissue and nerve involvement clearly.

Q3: Why is MRI important for shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain may result from:

• Rotator cuff or tendon tears

• Ligament injuries

• Labral or cartilage damage

Physical exams or X-rays often miss soft tissue injuries. MRI provides comprehensive, radiation-free imaging, ensuring accurate diagnosis and preventing prolonged dysfunction. Early MRI is crucial if pain limits sports, work, or daily activities.

Q4: When should I get an MRI for knee pain?
Knee pain, especially when associated with:

• Swelling, instability, locking, or catching

• Persistent pain despite therapy

• Sports or trauma-related injury

MRI detects ligament tears (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL), meniscus injuries, cartilage damage, and early osteoarthritis. It is far superior to X-ray, CT, or ultrasound for soft tissue and internal knee structures.

Q5: Where can I get fast, affordable MRI for these musculoskeletal issues in Singapore?
The Pain Relief Clinic offers insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, completed within 1 working day. Non-surgical treatments are available alongside MRI, helping restore function and relieve pain safely, efficiently, and without unnecessary delays.

Q1: What is sciatica and what causes it?
Sciatica is pain, tingling, or numbness radiating from the lower back down the leg, usually caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. Common causes include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or degenerative changes in the spine.

Q2: Can exercises, physiotherapy, or medications relieve sciatica without imaging?
These treatments may temporarily reduce pain and improve mobility, but they cannot confirm the underlying cause. Without MRI, serious issues such as disc herniation or nerve compression may go undiagnosed, delaying proper treatment and risking worsening symptoms.

Q3: When should I get an MRI for sciatica?
Consider MRI if you have:

• Persistent pain beyond a few weeks

• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg

• Loss of bladder or bowel control (urgent red flag)

• Pain limiting work, sports, or daily activities

MRI provides high-resolution, radiation-free imaging of discs, nerves, ligaments, and vertebrae, identifying the exact cause and guiding treatment.

Q4: Why is MRI better than X-ray, CT, or ultrasound for sciatica?

• X-rays: Only show bone alignment, not soft tissue or nerve compression.

• CT scans: Good for bones but limited for discs and nerve roots.

• Ultrasound: Cannot visualize deep spinal structures.

MRI is superior because it shows all spinal structures clearly and safely, without radiation.

Q5: Where can I get a fast and affordable MRI for sciatica in Singapore?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, completed within 1 working day. Combined with non-surgical treatments like hot therapy, guided exercises, and physiotherapy, this ensures safe, effective relief and a faster return to normal activities.

Q1: What are the first steps to treat back pain at home?
Start with rest, gentle stretching, and over-the-counter pain relief if the pain is mild. Maintaining good posture, avoiding heavy lifting, and using ergonomic seating can reduce strain. However, if pain persists beyond a few days or worsens, it’s important to investigate the underlying cause.

Q2: Can physiotherapy, chiropractic, or acupuncture fix back pain?
These treatments may help relieve symptoms temporarily and improve mobility, but they cannot diagnose the root cause. Without clear imaging, such as MRI, serious conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or fractures may be missed, delaying effective treatment.

Q3: When should I consider getting an MRI for back pain?
Consider MRI if you have:

• Pain persisting for several weeks despite therapy

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in legs

• Loss of bladder or bowel control (urgent red flag)

• Pain limiting work, sports, or daily activities

MRI provides high-resolution, radiation-free imaging of discs, nerves, ligaments, and vertebrae, helping to pinpoint the exact cause and guide proper treatment.

Q4: Why not just rely on X-ray, CT, or ultrasound?

• X-rays: Show bone alignment but cannot detect soft tissue problems or nerve compression.

• CT scans: Good for bones but limited for discs and ligaments.

• Ultrasound: Cannot see deep spinal structures.

MRI is superior because it provides comprehensive, clear imaging of all spinal structures without radiation.

Q5: Where can I get a fast and affordable MRI for back pain in Singapore?
The Pain Relief Clinic offers insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, done within 1 working day. Combined with non-surgical treatments like hot therapy, guided exercises, and physiotherapy, this approach helps you recover safely and return to work, exercise, or daily life without unnecessary delays.

Q1: I injured my ankle or foot during sports, and it still hurts. Should I get an MRI?
Yes. Post-trauma ankle or foot pain may indicate ligament tears (like ATFL, CFL), tendon injuries, cartilage damage, or subtle fractures. X-rays may appear normal, missing soft tissue injuries. MRI provides high-resolution, radiation-free images of all relevant structures for accurate diagnosis.

Q2: Can rest, ice, or physiotherapy treat ankle or foot injuries without MRI?
These measures may temporarily reduce symptoms but cannot detect hidden ligament, tendon, or cartilage injuries. Without MRI, serious structural damage may go undiagnosed, delaying proper treatment and risking chronic pain or instability.

Q3: What are the risks of delaying MRI for ankle or foot pain after trauma?
Delaying MRI may allow ligament, tendon, or cartilage injuries to worsen, causing chronic pain, instability, limited mobility, and early degenerative changes. Early MRI ensures timely diagnosis and non-surgical intervention to prevent long-term complications.

Q4: Why is MRI better than X-ray, CT, or ultrasound for post-trauma ankle or foot injuries?
X-rays detect only bone fractures or alignment issues, CT has limited soft tissue detail, and ultrasound may miss deep tendon or ligament injuries. MRI provides comprehensive, radiation-free imaging of ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bones, enabling precise diagnosis and treatment planning.

Q5: Where can I get a fast, affordable MRI for ankle or foot pain after trauma?
The Pain Relief Clinic provides insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, completed within 1 working day, along with non-surgical treatments to safely restore ankle or foot function.