Open Standing MRI in Wheeling, IL

An MRI gives your provider a detailed look inside your spine and joints — but for many people the standard closed MRI means lying still inside a narrow tube. Our open standing MRI is different: it scans you in an open machine, upright and comfortable, with no enclosed tube. It’s available right at our Wheeling office, so your imaging and your treatment stay with one team.

What makes a standing MRI different

No enclosed tube. The open design is far easier if closed spaces make you anxious — and more comfortable for larger patients or anyone who struggles to lie flat.
Weight-bearing imaging. Because you can be scanned upright, we can see your spine and joints while they carry your body’s weight — the position where pain often actually happens.
Sees what a lying-down scan can miss. Some disc problems and spinal instability only appear under load. An upright scan can reveal them.
On-site and connected. The scan, your results, and your chiropractic or rehab care all happen under one roof — no referral across town, no waiting for records to travel.

What it helps diagnose

Patients come in for an open standing MRI to get to the bottom of back and neck pain, herniated or bulging discs, sciatica, pinched nerves, joint injuries, and lingering pain after an auto accident, work injury, or sports injury. Clear images mean a more accurate diagnosis — and a treatment plan aimed at the real problem.

What to expect

There’s no tight tube and no need to feel closed in. You’ll be positioned comfortably, hold still while the machine captures images, and our team walks you through each step. Most scans are straightforward, and because everything is on-site, your provider can review the results and talk through next steps quickly.

Why choose Absolute Health Clinic

We’re one of the few clinics in the area with an open standing MRI on-site, open seven days a week, with a team that speaks English, Spanish, Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish. Most insurance is accepted, and we handle attorney liens and Letters of Protection (LOP) for accident cases — so you can get imaged and treated now.

Common questions

What is an open standing MRI?

It’s an MRI performed in an open machine — often while you sit or stand — instead of inside a narrow closed tube. The open design is more comfortable, and the upright position lets us image your spine and joints while they bear weight.

Is it better if I get claustrophobic?

Yes. With no enclosed tube, an open MRI is much easier for anyone who feels anxious in tight spaces, and it’s more comfortable for larger patients and for people who can’t lie flat.

Why scan standing or weight-bearing?

Some spine and joint problems only appear when your body is upright and under load. A weight-bearing scan can reveal issues a lying-down MRI may not show.

Is an open MRI as accurate as a closed MRI?

An open standing MRI gives clear diagnostic images for many spine and joint conditions, and it adds a weight-bearing view a standard MRI can’t. For some detailed studies, a closed high-field MRI may be preferred — your provider will recommend the right scan for your situation.

Do I need a referral, and is it covered?

The scan is on-site at our Wheeling office, most insurance is accepted, and we handle liens and Letters of Protection (LOP) for accident cases. Call 847.870.8955 and we’ll help you sort out coverage.

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