Spine MRI

A radiation-free MRI of the full spine, from neck to lower back, read by a radiologist.

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Illustration of a stylised Spine MRI on a soft background

Overall Health

One in Six

4 million

people in Australia were living with back problems in 2022

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/back-problems

Third Highest Burden

4.3%

of Australia's total disease burden comes from back problems, third overall

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/back-problems

Peak Working Years

23%

of Australians aged 45 to 64 live with back problems, during working life

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/chronic-conditions

One in Six

4 million

people in Australia were living with back problems in 2022

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/back-problems

Peak Working Years

23%

of Australians aged 45 to 64 live with back problems, during working life

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/chronic-conditions

Third Highest Burden

4.3%

of Australia's total disease burden comes from back problems, third overall

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/back-problems

One in Six

4 million

people in Australia were living with back problems in 2022

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/back-problems

Third Highest Burden

4.3%

of Australia's total disease burden comes from back problems, third overall

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/back-problems

Peak Working Years

23%

of Australians aged 45 to 64 live with back problems, during working life

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/chronic-conditions

DIAGNOSTIC OVERVIEW

What Spine MRI Is

This is a radiation-free scan covering the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Because MRI is particularly good at showing soft tissue, it images the discs, the spinal canal and the surrounding structures rather than just the bone. Covering the full length in one appointment means the regions can be read in relation to each other.

Why it's worth it

Neck to lower back in one sitting.

Soft tissue detail x-ray cannot show.

Radiologist reviewed, clinician explained.

DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS

What it measures

The scan produces a detailed structural view of the spine along its whole length, including the discs, joints, spinal canal and nearby soft tissue. It is read by a radiologist and interpreted alongside your symptoms, history and other results.

Get started with Precursor

Discs And Joints

The intervertebral discs and the joints between the vertebrae are imaged in detail, the soft tissue structures that plain x-ray cannot show clearly.

All Three Regions

Cervical, thoracic and lumbar are covered in one sitting, so they can be read together.

The Spinal Canal

The canal and the space around the nerves are visible, adding important context that a bone-only view would miss entirely.

No Radiation

MRI uses a magnetic field rather than radiation, even across this larger area.

DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS

What it measures

Get started with Precursor

Discs And Joints

The intervertebral discs and the joints between the vertebrae are imaged in detail, the soft tissue structures that plain x-ray cannot show clearly.

All Three Regions

Cervical, thoracic and lumbar are covered in one sitting, so they can be read together.

The Spinal Canal

The canal and the space around the nerves are visible, adding important context that a bone-only view would miss entirely.

No Radiation

MRI uses a magnetic field rather than radiation, even across this larger area.

DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS

What it measures

Get started with Precursor

Discs And Joints

The intervertebral discs and the joints between the vertebrae are imaged in detail, the soft tissue structures that plain x-ray cannot show clearly.

All Three Regions

Cervical, thoracic and lumbar are covered in one sitting, so they can be read together.

The Spinal Canal

The canal and the space around the nerves are visible, adding important context that a bone-only view would miss entirely.

No Radiation

MRI uses a magnetic field rather than radiation, even across this larger area.

HOW IT WORKS

From booking to your results

The whole spine in one sitting, imaged in detail. Here is how a Spine MRI goes from a conversation with your clinician to a report you understand.

Book Now

Your Results Are In!

Tap to review your results and see what's next.

Speak with your clinician

A Spine MRI is clinician selected, so it starts with a conversation about whether it suits your situation and what the imaging can usefully tell you.

Book your scan

Choose a time that suits you at a partner imaging centre in Brisbane. There is usually no fasting and no contrast dye, and you will be screened beforehand for implants and metal.

Have your scan

You lie still on a padded table with ear protection while the scanner works along your spine. It is painless, uses no radiation, and takes around forty five to sixty minutes.

Specialist review

A radiologist reviews the images across all three regions and prepares a report covering the discs, joints, spinal canal and surrounding soft tissue.

Results and plan

Your report lands in the Precursor app in plain language, and a clinician explains what it shows, including which findings are common age-related change and which are worth acting on.

HOW IT WORKS

From booking to your results

The whole spine in one sitting, imaged in detail. Here is how a Spine MRI goes from a conversation with your clinician to a report you understand.

Book Now

Your Results Are In!

Tap to see what's next.

Speak with your clinician

A Spine MRI is clinician selected, so it starts with a conversation about whether it suits your situation and what the imaging can usefully tell you.

Book your scan

Choose a time that suits you at a partner imaging centre in Brisbane. There is usually no fasting and no contrast dye, and you will be screened beforehand for implants and metal.

Have your scan

You lie still on a padded table with ear protection while the scanner works along your spine. It is painless, uses no radiation, and takes around forty five to sixty minutes.

Specialist review

A radiologist reviews the images across all three regions and prepares a report covering the discs, joints, spinal canal and surrounding soft tissue.

Results and plan

Your report lands in the Precursor app in plain language, and a clinician explains what it shows, including which findings are common age-related change and which are worth acting on.

HOW IT WORKS

From booking to your results

The whole spine in one sitting, imaged in detail. Here is how a Spine MRI goes from a conversation with your clinician to a report you understand.

Book Now

Your Results Are In!

Tap to review your results and see

what's next.

Speak with your clinician

A Spine MRI is clinician selected, so it starts with a conversation about whether it suits your situation and what the imaging can usefully tell you.

Book your scan

Choose a time that suits you at a partner imaging centre in Brisbane. There is usually no fasting and no contrast dye, and you will be screened beforehand for implants and metal.

Have your scan

You lie still on a padded table with ear protection while the scanner works along your spine. It is painless, uses no radiation, and takes around forty five to sixty minutes.

Specialist review

A radiologist reviews the images across all three regions and prepares a report covering the discs, joints, spinal canal and surrounding soft tissue.

Results and plan

Your report lands in the Precursor app in plain language, and a clinician explains what it shows, including which findings are common age-related change and which are worth acting on.

"Spine imaging almost always shows something, and much of it is normal wear that is causing no trouble at all. The value is in having someone read it properly against your actual symptoms."

Goutham Sivasuthan. CEO and Co Founder of Precursor

Dr Goutham Sivasuthan (FRACS, MBBS, MSurg, BSc)

Precursor Co-Founder & CEO

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH

Book Your Spine MRI Now

Find the precursor, shape the outcome.

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FAQs

Your Questions, Answered

How do I book a test?

Choose your test and a time that suits you online, then visit one of our partner locations. If any preparation is needed, such as fasting, we tell you clearly when you book.

When and how do I get my results?

Your results appear in the Precursor app once your sample or scan has been processed, laid out in plain language rather than a wall of numbers. Turnaround depends on the test, and we give you a timeframe when you book.

Will someone explain my results to me?

Yes. A clinician reviews your results, flags anything worth your attention and helps you understand what they mean and what, if anything, to do next. You are never left to interpret them alone.

Where can I get tested?

We operate through partner locations across South East Queensland, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. You choose the most convenient one when you book.

Do I need to prepare or fast beforehand?

It depends on the test. Some require fasting or other simple preparation, and others need nothing at all. Whatever applies, we tell you clearly at the time you book so there are no surprises on the day.

Can I track my results over time?

Yes. The Precursor app is built to show change between tests, so each result becomes a trend you can follow rather than a one-off snapshot. Retesting lets you see the effect of any changes you make.

How is my data handled and kept private?

Your health data is handled with care and kept private. Results are stored securely in the Precursor app and shared only with you and the clinicians involved in your care.

What happens if something needs further attention?

If your results surface something worth acting on, your clinician explains it calmly and talks you through sensible next steps. The aim is early clarity and considered action, never unnecessary alarm.

What is a good BRI score?

There is no single answer, because it depends on your height and which guidance you are being measured against. This calculator converts the Australian waist thresholds into BRI at your own height, so your bands are specific to you. Most BRI tools use bands from an American mortality study, which produce noticeably different results for Australians.

Is BRI better than BMI?

It is better at one specific thing, which is detecting central fat, because it uses your waist. It is not better across the board. BMI is generally reliable when it flags someone, and research suggests the two measures agree in the large majority of cases. The useful comparison is not which one wins but whether they disagree about you.

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A new way Australians get ahead of their health.

Start looking. Today.

Curated diagnostics and a clinician-guided plan, built around getting ahead of what matters.

Get started with Precursor today

A new way Australians
get ahead of their health.

Start looking. Today.

Curated diagnostics and a clinician-guided plan, built around getting ahead of what matters.

Get started with Precursor today

A new way Australians get ahead of their health.

Start looking. Today.

Curated diagnostics and a clinician-guided plan, built around getting ahead of what matters.

Get started with Precursor today