What is an Upright MRI?

An upright MRI is a type of open MRI system that allows the patient to be scanned while seated upright, allowing imaging to be performed while in natural, weight-bearing positions that more accurately capture how gravity affects the bones and joints. This can lead to more accurate diagnoses of many conditions, including craniocervical instability (CCI) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).

Upright MRIs provide an even more open experience than traditional open MRIs, as nothing is in front of or above the patient as they are scanned. This makes an upright MRI the most comfortable possibility on the market for claustrophobic patients, or for patients with pain or vertigo that prevent them from lying flat. Patients are even able to watch television during their scan, as opposed to being inserted into the usual “tube” of traditional MRIs.

A medical MRI scanner with an upright, multi-position design in a clinical setting.

An upright MRI does not use radiation, making it a valuable option for patients who may need repeated imaging over time. For conditions such as scoliosis or ongoing spine problems, MRI can provide detailed images while helping reduce exposure to repeated X-rays when appropriate.

The images in the slideshow below demonstrate various positions that the upright MRI machine allows for, dependent upon the body part being scanned. All spinal scans and brain/head scans will have the patient seated completely upright.

Woman with blonde hair wearing a pink top and a medical neck brace, standing against a wall in profile view.
A woman with short blonde hair in a peach-colored shirt is standing with her head against a white wall. She is wearing a special cervical collar and a head-bearing device for medical or therapy purposes.
Woman undergoing a medical imaging scan, with her head resting on a supportive foam pad and her face positioned against a circular black and white device with a yellow arrow, in a clinical setting.
Woman sitting in a medical MRI machine in a hospital or medical facility.
Woman sitting upright in a medical imaging machine, preparing for a scan.
A woman undergoing a medical imaging procedure, sitting on a chair with a device behind her back and holding a dumbbell.
Woman undergoing a medical imaging scan, standing beside a large white medical machine.
A woman sitting in a seat with a safety harness installed, inside an airplane or medical transport vehicle, with a white background and wall panels.
A woman undergoing a medical imaging procedure, lying still with a scanner around her head.
A woman lying on a medical imaging table with her legs inside an MRI machine, wearing a beige sweater and red pants.