“If the MRI Is Normal, You’re Fine”: Why Brain Imaging Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story After a Concussion

“If the MRI Is Normal, You’re Fine”: Why Brain Imaging Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story After a Concussion

A lot of concussion patients in Kansas City — especially those injured in car accidents — leave the ER with a clean MRI or CT scan and are told everything looks normal. But then the symptoms start: headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, vision issues. If the scan is normal, why do you still feel off?

The answer is simple: a normal MRI doesn’t mean your brain is functioning normally. And that’s where the myth does damage.

At Lance Stevenson, DC, we see patients from Lee’s Summit, Parkville, Overland Park, and North Kansas City who are struggling despite being told “you’re fine.” Let’s unpack why this happens and what you really need for recovery.

🧠 Concussions Are Functional, Not Structural

Concussions are a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that cause changes in how the brain functions — not necessarily how it looks on an image. That’s why most concussions don’t show up on standard MRI or CT scans.

After a concussion, the brain undergoes a neurometabolic cascade:

• Energy demand spikes while ATP production drops

• Blood flow may become disrupted

• Neural networks become disorganized

• Vestibular and visual systems may fall out of sync

These changes are real and disruptive — even if they’re invisible on imaging.

🧨 The Risk of Believing the “Normal MRI” Myth

When patients are told their brain looks fine, but they continue to have symptoms, it creates doubt. They may:

• Question themselves

• Feel anxious, frustrated, or dismissed

• Avoid seeking follow-up care

• Be told their symptoms are psychological

This is a classic nocebo effect — negative messaging that makes recovery harder, not easier.

🧪 Functional Tests > Structural Imaging

At our Kansas City clinic, we don’t rely on MRI to tell us what’s happening. Instead, we use functional assessments that evaluate how your brain systems are actually performing:

• Vestibular-ocular tests (VOMS, VOR function, visual motion sensitivity)

• Cervical spine evaluation for whiplash or joint dysfunction

• Balance and gait assessments

• Cognitive screening for memory, processing speed, and fatigue

These give us the information that imaging cannot — and they guide a personalized treatment plan that actually helps you heal.

🏥 Real Answers for Concussion Patients Across Kansas City

At Lance Stevenson, DC, we specialize in helping patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms get answers and recover. Whether you're from Blue Springs, Raytown, Gladstone, or Liberty, we’re here to look deeper and listen better.

📞 Call 816-226-7476 to schedule a comprehensive concussion evaluation.
A normal MRI doesn’t mean you’re imagining things — and it doesn’t mean you don’t need help.

To learn more about comprehensive concussion treatment options, check out the resources available at Complete Concussions.

Been in an Accident? Start Here.

Call us today for a free consultation or with any questions.

Expert Personal Injury Care