Tips & Tricks to Minimize Claustrophobia During an MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gives your medical team a way to learn what’s going on in your body. This diagnostic tool delivers a high-quality image of your internal systems, like your brain, heart, or spine, clearer than an X-ray or a CT (computerized tomography) scan. 

The good news is that getting an MRI is pain-free and completely noninvasive. The bad news is that this imaging process can take a bit of time. MRIs average 35 minutes per body part. 

That’s particularly problematic for people who struggle with claustrophobia. But that’s where we come in.

Here at LA MRI Center, Inc. in Koreatown, Los Angeles, California, we know some people get claustrophobic during MRIs, so we’ve taken specific steps to combat that. To start, we use open MRI machines to keep you as comfortable as possible. This makes it easier to lay still to get the best, clearest images from your scan. 

Combating claustrophobia with an open MRI machine

With magnetic resonance imaging, you and your medical team get a way to take a precise look at your body’s internal systems. The MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to deliver detailed images of what’s going on inside you.

The MRI works by using the magnetic field to align the hydrogen atoms in your body in a certain orientation. As radio waves interact with those atoms, it enables our LA MRI team to create detailed, cross-sectional images of the scanned area.  

During a traditional MRI, the magnets surround you. You have to lie perfectly still in an enclosed metal tube. The diagnostic process is completely safe and it doesn’t hurt at all. Still, feeling stuck in that small space often triggers feelings of claustrophobia. In fact, even people who don’t typically feel claustrophobic report feeling stressed or panicked during their MRI. 

That’s why we use open MRI machines here at LA MRI Center. These machines have no sides or top, so you don’t feel trapped during the test. You lie on a magnet to create the field needed for your MRI, but you still have plenty of breathing room.

Other tips and tricks for MRI claustrophobia relief

While our open MRI machines clear up many claustrophobia concerns, you might still be feeling some nervousness. These tips can help to further ease the process for you:

Know what to expect

Talk with our team about what to expect during your MRI. We can let you know how long the imaging will take and what happens during it. This way, you aren’t surprised or unsure during the process. 

For example, it helps to know that you’ll hear clicking or banging sounds throughout the test. That’s normal, and we can give you earplugs if you need them. It also helps to know that you can communicate with us if you feel panicky during the test.

Dress comfortably

You want to be as relaxed as possible, and the right clothing can help. 

While you might need a hospital gown, depending on the body area getting scanned, you may be able to wear your own clothes. To decrease your likelihood of needing to change, avoid clothes with metal (e.g. zippers, buttons, metallic fibers) and wear something that fits loosely. 

Our team wants to help you feel as comfortable as possible during your MRI. To talk with us so you can know what to expect — and to schedule your imaging in an open machine — call our office, or request an appointment online today.