Does Your Head Go In During a Lumbar Spine MRI?

MRI Chandigarh
Jul 10
2 min read

A lumbar spine MRI focuses on the lower part of your back, which means the scanner only needs to capture images from your lower back to your hips.In most cases, your head will stay outside the machine, and only your lower body goes inside the tunnel. This helps you feel more relaxed and less confined.

Does Your Head Go In During a Lumbar Spine MRI?

Why Positioning Matters

Your position depends a little on:

The type of MRI machine (closed or open).
The part of the spine being scanned (lumbar vs. cervical).
Your height and body structure.

For taller patients or in full-length scans, your head may be near the entrance but still not fully inside the scanner. In open MRI machines, you may be more comfortable and less enclosed.

Tips to Feel Comfortable During the MRI

Wear comfortable clothes without metal.
Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths if you feel nervous.
Ask for earplugs or headphones — MRI machines can be loud!
Let the technician know if you have anxiety — they’re trained to help.
Tips to Feel Comfortable During the MRI

When Your Head Might Go In

There are only a few rare cases where your head might be partly inside the scanner, like if:

You’re having multiple areas of your spine scanned.
You’re very tall and need extra space.

But again, this is not the usual case for a standard lumbar MRI.

Why Do a Lumbar MRI?

Doctors may recommend a lumbar spine MRI if you have:

Lower back pain
Sciatica or nerve pain
Herniated discs
Injury or trauma
Suspected spine problems

The scan helps your doctor see detailed images of bones, discs, nerves, and soft tissues.

Final Thoughts

A lumbar spine MRI is a safe and painless way to help diagnose lower back problems. The good news is that in most cases, your head won’t need to go fully inside the MRI machine, which helps ease any fear of feeling trapped or uncomfortable.

Don’t let back pain hold you back. Visit MRI Chandigarh to book an appointment for an MRI of the Lumbar spine. Contact us at 8699572364.