27/02/2026
TREAT THE PATIENT, NOT THE SCAN
A JAMA Internal Medicine study published last week found that almost all adults over 40 show rotator cuff abnormalities on MRI, whether they have shoulder pain or not. Many imaging findings represent normal age-related change, not necessarily the source of symptoms.
https://jamanetwork.com/.../jamainter.../fullarticle/2844659
Pain does not always come from what appears on imaging. Significant pain and dysfunction can exist even when scans look relatively mild.
At Laser Pain Therapy, one of our long-standing clinical mantras is:
Treat the patient, not the scan.
Imaging is valuable for excluding serious pathology but should support clinical reasoning, not replace it. Pain is better understood through history, clinical examination, movement assessment and tissue biology.
Photobiomodulation / Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is used internationally to help reduce inflammation, support tissue repair and assist recovery in musculoskeletal injury. Our approach combines evidence-based LLLT with appropriate injury care and a guided return-to-function program, focusing on recovery rather than chasing incidental scan findings.
If you have persistent joint or tendon pain and your scan results feel confusing or discouraging, remember:
An MRI describes structures. Good clinical care treats people.
Your symptoms matter more than your scan. Visit us to find out more: www.laserpaintherapy.com.au/rotator-cuff/