Should Your Athlete Get an MRI First?

Should you take your child to the orthopedic doctor or physical therapist first after an injury?

When a young athlete gets injured, the first instinct is often to schedule an MRI, see an orthopedic specialist, or visit urgent care. While these may seem like the fastest way to get answers, they often lead to long wait times, expensive imaging, and delays in getting real help.

Here’s the truth:
✅ Most sports injuries don’t require an MRI to begin effective treatment
✅ Physical therapists are movement experts who can assess and treat the problem directly
✅ Starting with PT can get your athleteon the road to recovery within 48 hours

💸The cost difference is significant:

• An MRI can cost $1,000–$3,000 and often leads to additional visits

• A PT evaluation is a fraction of the cost—and it’s action-oriented from day one

• Many athletes get better with just 6–10 visits of focused, expert care

⚡More importantly? Physical therapy gets them back to the field faster.
At Faith in Motion, our Doctors of Physical Therapy specialize in athletic injuries and can provide:

• Injury diagnosis without expensive imaging

• Hands-on treatment, strength training, and rehab exercises

• A clear, customized plan to safely return to play

🏃‍♂️ If your child is injured during practice, in a game, or just from overuse—start with us first.We’ll guide you on whether imaging is even necessary and work to get your athlete back in action quickly and safely.

📆Same-week injury evaluations available — Book now and skip the wait.
👉 304-760-9664