National Foundation for ME/CFS Research

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US upright MRI directory, state by state

51 documented locations with published evidence of upright or flexion-extension capability, plus 5 centers that need direct protocol confirmation. Upright (weight-bearing) MRI in flexion and extension is the scan most CCI surgeons ask for; see Step 1 of the CCI guide for why, and for who should read it.

Compiled by the Upper Cervical Instability Awareness group (re-audited state by state, 2026) and reproduced here with credit · Transcribed October 2026. Website links were added by us in October 2026 and point to the center's own page or its network's page for that location; a center without a link is one for which no website could be confirmed. The links were not part of the group's directory.

Important notes, in the compilers' words: documented locations are centers with published evidence of upright and/or flexion-extension capability; even documented centers should be called ahead to confirm a cervical or craniocervical flexion and extension MRI protocol; the additional centers have upright MRI evidence, but the exact cervical protocol should be confirmed directly; Pensacola, Florida was not counted because its operating status was unclear during review. Listing here is not an endorsement by the National Foundation for ME/CFS Research. Before booking anywhere, ask your CCI specialist for the exact scan order; most want specific positions and views, and some require their imaging done a specific way.

Documented upright or flexion and extension locations

Alabama

Arizona

  • Sun RadiologyPeoria

California

Florida

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Louisiana

Maryland

Missouri

New Jersey

New York

Texas

Washington

Additional upright MRI centers: call to confirm the cervical flexion and extension protocol

Reported in comments, not audited

What members added in comments on the group's post, as patient reports from single commenters. None of this has been independently verified by the compilers or by us; call ahead either way.

Reported additions (confirm upright and flexion-extension capability)

  • ColoradoUpright MRI of Colorado; members report good image quality, including views of the alar ligaments. Also referred to as "Colorado Upright" (Denver) and a Centennial site, possibly the same operator.
  • FloridaAdvanced Diagnostic Group, Jacksonville; a Stand Up MRI location in Naples.
  • CaliforniaExpert MRI, San Diego.
  • TennesseePremier Radiology, Nashville (reported to do flexion and extension).
  • ArizonaA SimonMed location in Phoenix may have had an upright scanner.
  • IndianaSt. Vincent Ascension Hospital, Carmel (uncertain; the commenter cited an older installation article).
  • TexasA facility in the Dallas / Richardson area, name not given.
  • Oklahoma and ArkansasCommenters say several locations exist but named none.

Before you book, confirm the protocol

Members reported very different experiences between centers, including scans without true flexion axial views and discs that would not open in standard viewers. Wherever you go, confirm in writing that the scan will include cervical flexion and extension views to your specialist's order, and ask how images will be delivered.

No confirmed location reported

Massachusetts, Ohio, Kentucky, New England generally, Nevada (Las Vegas), Wisconsin, Pennsylvania (beyond the Philadelphia center above), the Kansas City area, and Canada. If you know one, tell the group or write to lukas@nationalmecfs.org.

Corrections and additions

To correct or add a listing, contact the Upper Cervical Instability Awareness group. Corrections to this page: lukas@nationalmecfs.org.