The realm of healthcare has taken on a new heading, thanks to celebrity endorsements and consumer-friendly marketing trends. And what is this latest wellness fad making headlines, you ask? Whole body MRIs.
The future of healthcare for many is now wellness-focused, but it can be clouded by misinformation and myths.Â
While it has been gaining traction throughout the general population, how do we decide if a popular fad is actually beneficial to our health journey?Â
Whole-body MRI scans are rising in popularity, gaining praise from Canadian American physician Peter Attia, socialite Kim Kardashian, and everyone in between, according to GQ Magazine.Â
Keep reading as we work to debunk the myths surrounding full-body MRI scans and see if they are worthy of consideration on your journey to a happier, healthier life!Â
Myth: MRI Scans are Harmful to Your Health
MRI scans, or magnetic resonance imaging, are diagnostic tools used to produce detailed images of your body’s internal structures, including blood vessels, organs, bones, and more.
MRI scans are often placed into the same category as other imaging techniques, such as X-rays, PET scans, and CT scans. While all are utilized in the medical field to produce images of your internal body, there is one major difference: radiation exposure.
Ionizing radiation, when used in large doses or prolonged exposure, can increase the risk of developing cancer and possible damage to your DNA. At MRI Wellness, our full-body MRI scans do not expose you to ionizing radiation or contrast dyes, making them a safer alternative to other imaging tests.
Myth: A Whole Body MRI Scan Only Screens for Serious Health Issues
While undergoing a full-body MRI scan is invaluable for diagnosing and managing severe conditions, our goal at MRI Wellness is to take a proactive approach to your health and well-being.Â
A screening scan looks broadly across 13 organ systems, so alongside serious findings it commonly picks up minor ones: simple cysts, degenerative changes in the spine, benign nodules. Most need nothing at all. One honest caution, though: if you have unexplained symptoms right now, a screening scan is not the right first step. See a doctor who can examine you and order the specific test that matches your symptoms.
Myth: MRI Scans are Not Available to Those Who Suffer from ClaustrophobiaÂ
One look at the MRI scanner and it’s clear why claustrophobic individuals have cause for concern. While about 10 percent of people feel claustrophobic during MRI scans, we have developed some useful tricks to make the experience more relaxed and peaceful.Â
Before your scan, our staff will give you a comfortable pair of pajamas to help reduce your initial feelings and fears. Talk to us about relaxation techniques and calming music to play during your MRI scan that will help further ease your anxieties before we get started.
If those are not enough, speak to your own doctor in advance about a mild sedative. You will need someone to drive you home if you take one. Tell us when you book rather than on the day, so we can plan the appointment around it.Â
Myth: Full Body MRI Scans Replace Targeted Scans and Screenings
While it may appear that a full-body MRI scan would be an adequate replacement for a targeted screening (after all, it’s detailed images of your entire body rather than just a specific part), this is not the case.Â
A targeted MRI scan focuses more on a specific organ or part of the body, while a full-body MRI scan provides key details to the larger picture of your body’s overall health.Â
Despite full-body MRI scans providing details into various areas of your body, targeted screenings, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and pap smears, provide further intel on that specific area. Think of full-body MRIs and targeted MRIs as working together to ensure a positive result, rather than as a replacement.
Myth: You Can’t Have a Full Body MRI with an ImplantÂ
MRI scanners produce a strong magnetic field, so it’s understandable to assume that metal implants and an MRI do not pair well together. Many modern implants are designed to be MRI-conditional, meaning they can be scanned safely under defined conditions. But some are genuinely unsafe, and the only way to know which is which is to tell us the exact make and model beforehand so we can check its safety rating. Bring the device card if you have one.Â
Talk to your technician at MRI Wellness if you have an implant, such as a:Â
- PacemakerÂ
- Implantable infusion pump
- Cochlear implant
- Prosthetic implantÂ
- Implanted neurostimulator
- IUDÂ
- Intracranial aneurysm clipÂ
- A programmable shunt valve, or a stent, coil or filter placed in the last few weeks
- Any chance of loose metal in your body. Tell us if you have ever had a metal fragment in your eye, or worked as a welder, machinist or metal grinder, even years ago, and about any retained bullet or shrapnel. This one matters most and is the easiest to overlook
While many implants are MRI-safe, there is still a chance that your specific model could affect the images and MRI results, so it’s important to make your technician aware of any and all implants before the non-invasive imaging test.Â
Myth: A Clear Scan Means You Are Healthy
This is the most important one, and the one we most want you to take away.
A clear whole-body MRI means nothing structurally obvious was visible on the day. It does not mean you are healthy. It cannot measure your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar or kidney function. It does not assess your heart, because it is not synchronised to your heartbeat. It does not screen your breasts, which needs a dedicated contrast study, and it cannot see the colon. It is limited in the lungs, and it does not measure bone density.
So keep your annual physical, keep your blood work, and keep to mammography, colonoscopy, cervical screening and the rest on the schedule your doctor recommends. A scan is an addition to that, not a replacement for it, and the American College of Radiology does not currently recommend total body screening for people with no symptoms, risk factors or relevant family history. We would rather you knew that going in.
Discover the Truth About Full-Body MRI Scans with MRI Wellness
In a rebranded world of healthcare, it’s important to follow fads built on trustworthy sources and facts rather than misinformation and celebrity endorsements.Â
At MRI Wellness, we create an MRI experience built on accuracy, comfort, and safety, allowing you to leave our office feeling empowered about your health rather than defeated by a too-late diagnosis.Â
Schedule your full-body MRI in Charleston today and take one step closer to getting the full picture of your health! Book now!
Frequently asked questions
Are MRI scans harmful?
No. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves rather than ionizing radiation, unlike X-ray, CT and PET, and our scans use no contrast dye either. That is the clearest safety advantage MRI has, and it matters most for elective imaging you might want to repeat over the years. The main consideration is metal, which is why we screen carefully for implants.
Does a full body MRI replace mammograms, colonoscopies and other screening?
No, and this is the myth worth taking seriously. A whole-body scan does not screen the breasts, which needs a dedicated contrast study, and it cannot see the colon. Targeted screening tests have mortality evidence behind them that whole-body screening does not. Think of them as working together, with the targeted tests taking priority.
What if I am claustrophobic?
Around one person in ten feels claustrophobic during an MRI, so you are in good company and it is more manageable than most people expect. The scanner is open at both ends, your technologist can see and hear you throughout, and you hold a call button that stops the scan. We provide comfortable clothing and can play music. If that is not enough, speak to your own doctor in advance about a mild sedative, and arrange a ride home.
Can I have an MRI with an implant?
Often, but not always, and the detail matters. Many modern implants are MRI-conditional, meaning they can be scanned safely under defined conditions. Some are genuinely unsafe. Tell us the exact make and model beforehand and bring the device card if you have one. Most importantly, tell us if you have ever had a metal fragment in your eye or worked as a welder, machinist or metal grinder, and about any retained bullet or shrapnel.
Does a clear scan mean I am healthy?
No. It means nothing structurally obvious was visible on the day. A scan cannot measure blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar or kidney function. It does not assess your heart, screen your breasts, see the colon, or measure bone density, and it is limited in the lungs. Keep your annual physical, your blood work, and your guideline-recommended screening regardless of what a scan shows.
