Víctor Espuig, family doctor: "Getting an MRI when it's not indicated can cause more problems than solutions."

Family doctor Víctor Espuig has sent a clear message about a common mistake among patients: the obsession with MRIs. He explains that ordering these tests without a real indication not only doesn't improve treatment, but can actually worsen the quality of life of those receiving them. "Most of the MRIs we doctors order are more due to patient insistence than a clinical need," he warns.

Espuig gives an example of a common situation: a person in their 40s with lower back pain that has been developing for two or three months, but who can lead a relatively normal life. The patient, anxious, pressures their family doctor or goes to a private clinic until they manage to get an MRI. The result is often disconcerting. "Most likely, two disc protrusions or signs of wear will appear, which are often unrelated to the pain the person is experiencing," he points out.

The problem, the specialist warns, is that these findings can generate a vicious cycle of anxiety and unjustified fear. “After a certain age, it's very common for any imaging test to show degenerative changes, even if they're not responsible for the pain. Upon seeing these changes, the patient thinks they have a serious injury, begins to avoid activities, takes more medication than necessary, and requests new treatments that offer no benefits,” the doctor explains.

The consequence is clear: overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Two phenomena that, according to Espuig, are increasingly present in clinical practice and lead to unnecessary consultations, repeated tests, and an emotional burden for patients. "What starts as an annoying pain can become a bigger problem if the person falls into the trap of fear and over-medicalization," he warns.

The specialist reminds us that most back pain, when it doesn't present warning signs—such as loss of strength, problems with sphincter control, or persistent nighttime pain— improves over time and with simple measures.

"The best strategy is to stay active, maintain good posture, engage in adapted physical exercise, and, if necessary, seek rehabilitation. In some cases, temporary medication can be used, but the key is to avoid inactivity or compulsive searches for tests," he explains.

For Espuig, the key lies in trust between doctor and patient. He also acknowledges that pressure on healthcare providers and information circulating online have led many people to come to their doctor's office with the preconceived idea that an MRI is the only way to find out what's wrong with them.

However, he insists that the medical reality is different. "Before ordering an MRI, we have to ask ourselves if it will really change the way we manage the problem. Often, the best medicine is not doing more than necessary," he concludes.

The family doctor also emphasizes the importance of health education to combat misconceptions. He also points out that instead of focusing on searching for hidden injuries, patients should learn to live with temporary discomfort and adopt healthy habits that reduce relapses. “Back pain without serious complications is a part of life. What's important is how we deal with it and what decisions we make to ensure it doesn't limit our daily lives,” he adds.

Espuig's message is a call for caution and rationality in the use of medical technology. MRI is a valuable tool in certain cases, but its indiscriminate use carries unnecessary risks.