Claustrophobic and Need an MRI Scan? Here’s How an Open MRI Scanner Can Help You

For many people, an MRI scan is a crucial step towards getting answers about their health. 

Whether you’re investigating ongoing pain, monitoring a condition or seeking a diagnosis, MRI technology provides some of the most detailed medical imaging available. 

But if you’re someone who feels anxious in enclosed spaces, or you’ve had a difficult experience with an MRI in the past, the thought of your appointment may be very daunting. 

Traditional MRI scanners are often associated with narrow tunnels, loud noises and long periods of time spent in a confined space. For some people, simply imagining the experience can trigger feelings of panic, loss of control or the worry that they won't be able to complete the scan.

The good news is that if you're searching for a claustrophobia MRI solution, modern open MRI technology can provide a far more comfortable scanning experience while still delivering the detailed images clinicians need.

At VisitHealth, we’ve invested in advanced high-field open MRI technology because we believe healthcare should be designed around the patient experience, as much as clinical outcomes. Read on to learn more. 

 

Claustrophobia MRI Concerns: Why Traditional Scanners Feel Challenging

Claustrophobia is a fear of enclosed or confined spaces, and it’s more common than many people realise. According to the NHS, around 10% of people will experience claustrophobia during their lifetime. 

And the effects vary. For some individuals, they’ll feel mild anxiety. For others, being in an enclosed environment can trigger severe anxiety or panic attacks. 

A traditional MRI scanner can be particularly challenging because patients are required to lie still on a flat bed that moves into a cylindrical tunnel. Depending on the area being scanned, much of the body, and sometimes the head, may be positioned inside the machine for up to an hour. 

Combined with the loud tapping, banging and clicking sounds that occur during this time, it’s easy to understand why some patients feel apprehensive about their appointment. 

In fact, concerns about claustrophobia are one of the common reasons people delay or postpone an MRI scan, even when those scans are important for their health. 

 

You Are Not Alone

If you’re feeling nervous about an upcoming MRI scan, you’re far from alone. 

Many people feel anxious before their appointment, even if they’ve never considered themselves claustrophobic before. Medical environments, unfamiliar equipment and worries about the results can all contribute to feelings of stress. 

While those feelings are understandable, they shouldn’t stop you from getting the answers and reassurance you deserve about your health. 

At VisitHealth, our team is here to help ease some of those anxieties and support you in feeling more comfortable in your experience, from the moment you book your appointment to when you receive your results. 

With our modern imaging technology, we can now provide options that will make the whole experience more reassuring and relaxed. 

 

What Is an Open MRI Scanner?

An open MRI scanner uses the same fundamental magnetic imaging technology as a traditional MRI machine. 

Like conventional MRI systems, it uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. An open MRI scanner is invaluable for helping doctors assess everything from joint injuries and spinal conditions to brain tumours and abnormalities with soft tissue. 

What makes an open MRI different is the experience it provides. 

Rather than enclosing patients in a narrow tube, an open MRI scanner is designed to create substantially more space around the body. This reduces the feeling of confinement and allows patients to feel less restricted throughout the scan. 

For many people who experience claustrophobia, this difference can completely transform the scanning experience.

 

How Open MRI Technology Helps Patients Feel More Comfortable

One of the biggest advantages of open MRI technology is that it focuses on patient comfort, while still delivering the detailed images clinicians need. 

More space and greater visibility

Traditional MRI scanners can make patients feel enclosed on all sides. Conversely, open MRI systems are specifically designed to reduce this sensation by being open on all four sides, providing patients with more space around them. 

The increased openness allows patients to maintain a greater sense of awareness of their surroundings, helping many people feel calmer. 

Reduced anxiety during scanning

When patients feel more comfortable physically, they often feel more relaxed emotionally as well. 

For claustrophobic patients, reducing feelings of restriction can make it easier to remain still throughout the scan and complete the examination successfully without unnecessary distress. 

A more reassuring experience

Healthcare should never feel intimidating. 

Open MRI technology helps create a more welcoming environment, making diagnostic imaging feel less overwhelming for patients who may already be worried about their health. 

 

Does an Open MRI Still Provide Accurate Results?

Understandably, many people worry that choosing a more comfortable scanner might mean compromising on image quality. Fortunately, that’s not the case.

Modern high-field open MRI systems can produce highly detailed, clinically reportable images that support accurate diagnosis across a wide range of medical conditions. 

This means that patients no longer need to choose between comfort and clinical confidence. 

However, not all open MRI scanners offer the same level of imaging performance. That’s why the technology being used matters. 

 

How Visit Health's Open MRI Scanner Is Different

At VisitHealth, we use the Fujifilm Oasis Velocity 1.2T system, the UK's only high-field open MRI scanner of its kind.

This advanced technology combines the comfort benefits of an open scanner with exceptional imaging capabilities, delivering detailed diagnostic images across a broad range of anatomy. 

Upright MRI systems, for example, are limited when imaging certain parts of the body, including soft tissue and organs. Conversely, our scanner is capable of producing clinically detailed images of soft tissues, joints, organs and other complex anatomy. 

During the scan, you’ll lie comfortably between two horizontal magnet plates that remain open on all four sides, creating a much less restrictive environment than a traditional MRI scanner. 

This design helps reduce feelings of claustrophobia without compromising the quality of the images that clinicians need to make informed decisions about your care. 

 

Designed Around Patient Comfort

Our open MRI service has been carefully designed to make the scanning experience as reassuring as possible. 

We’ve designed every aspect of the experience with comfort in mind, including: 

• A spacious, open scanning environment
• Calming visual projections
• Advanced imaging technology
• Lower noise levels compared with traditional systems
• Headphones and ear protection during the scan
• Support from experienced radiographers throughout the appointment

For many patients, simply knowing they won't be entering a narrow tunnel can significantly reduce pre-scan anxiety.

 

Who Can Benefit from an Open MRI Scan?

While open MRI technology is particularly valuable for people with claustrophobia, many other patients appreciate the additional comfort and accessibility it provides. 

Patients with claustrophobia or anxiety

If you’ve ever avoided an MRI because the idea of being enclosed in a scanner made you feel uncomfortable, an open MRI could make a significant difference to your experience. 

The open design helps create a calmer experience and can reduce the likelihood of anxiety interfering with the scan. 

Children and families

Medical procedures can be intimidating for anyone, but especially for younger patients. 

An open MRI scanner often feels less daunting than a traditional scanner, helping children feel more relaxed during their appointment. Parents may also find the experience more reassuring. 

Patients with a higher body weight

Traditional MRI systems can sometimes feel restrictive for larger patients.

VisitHealth's scanner features an 83cm-wide table and supports patients weighing up to 300kg, improving comfort and accessibility for a wider range of individuals.

Anyone looking for a better MRI experience

You don’t need to be claustrophobic to appreciate a more comfortable scan.

Many patients simply prefer a healthcare experience that feels less stressful and more patient-centred. 

 

Why Choose VisitHealth for Your MRI Scan?

At VisitHealth, we understand that diagnostic imaging is about so much more than technology. Ultimately, it’s about helping people access the answers they need in a way that feels supportive and reassuring. 

Patients choosing our private MRI service benefit from:

• The UK's only high-field open MRI scanner of its kind
• Same-day appointments
• Self-referral options
• Fast results
• Experienced radiologists and specialist support
• Central London location
• A friendly, patient-focused team

We believe diagnostic imaging should provide peace of mind, not additional stress. 

That’s why we’ve combined advanced MRI technology with a supportive, patient-focused experience from start to finish. 

 

Don't Let Claustrophobia Delay Your Healthcare

If the thought of having an MRI scan has been causing you anxiety, it’s important to remember you have options. 

Open MRI technology is helping many people who previously felt unable to undergo a scan feel more comfortable and confident about getting the care they need. 

At VisitHealth, we’re proud to offer an MRI experience designed around both clinical excellence and patient comfort. Whether you’ve postponed a scan because of claustrophobia, or you’re simply looking for a more reassuring experience, our team is here to support you every step of the way. 

Get in touch with a member of our team today to discuss your options or book an appointment with confidence.