Thermography – What the heck is it and why I choose it…

Thermography or digital infrared thermal imaging, is a non-invasive test that uses an infrared camera to produce images or thermograms that record temperature and blood vessel patterns. It records even minute changes in body temperature. A change in temperature can indicate that further investigation is warranted.

Recognizing that thermography is not a complete diagnostic tool, I choose to use it as one more option in my tool box of health care. I feel confident knowing that I have baseline measurements in place and can monitor them along with the support of the physicians who read and then report on my results as well as my own personal health care team. In the case of breast health, monthly self-exams is of upmost importance and, I am not dismissing the relevance of mammograms in the least. It is simply one more strategy I can use to help detect early physiological changes that may lead to disease.

Personally, I was able to take my last set of results and zero in on some health concerns I was having. I simply feel better equipped to make decisions about my health with thermography as part of the puzzle.

Thermography is a monitor of thermal abnormalities present in a number of diseases, medical conditions and physical injuries. It is used as an aid for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as therapy follow up and rehabilitation monitoring, within clinical fields that include Rheumatology, Neurology, Physiotherapy, Sports Medicine, Oncology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics and many others.

“I was really happy that I did the whole body scan. It gave me a great baseline as a reference point for future scans. I would thoroughly recommend that people do a scan. It is a harm free way to see what’s going on in your body.” Lori

I’m hosting a local clinic for the Elmira area and asked Janice from HealthSCAN if she would take a moment and give you a little more info on the ins and outs of thermography.

 

 

 

Are you working on your own personal wellness program?

 

Before you suffer from an unexpected illness or injury, a preventative health risk assessment with thermography may be just what you need. Early detection means earlier intervention which helps saves lives, right? Thermal imaging is a quick and easy imaging procedure that starts by taking your health baseline.

Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging (Thermography) is a simple test of physiology that relies on the sympathetic nerve control of skin blood flow and the ability of the sympathetic nervous system to respond to and react to pain, pathology, injury or dysfunction anywhere in the body. Diagnostic tests such as ultrasound, x-ray and mammography show the body’s structure or anatomy. The unique contribution of thermography is that it shows physiological and metabolic processes.

Medical Thermography is a non-invasive diagnostic aid that enables the examiner to visualize and quantify changes in skin surface temperature. An infrared camera is used to convert infrared radiation emitted from the skin surface into electrical impulses that are visualized in color on a monitor. This visual image graphically maps the body temperature and is referred to as a thermogram. The spectrum of colors indicates an increase or decrease in the amount of infrared radiation being emitted from the body surface and a thermal pattern is displayed on the surface of the skin. These patterns are as unique as fingerprints and correlate to the different functioning parts of the body. When there are abnormal temperatures, this will be identified for the individual’s injury or dysfunction. Thermography can be used to identify health risks or to monitor previously diagnosed conditions.

Multiple studies have shown that inflammation is associated with many health problems. A thermography scan detects inflammation in the body with amazing accuracy. Thermal changes over time may identify abnormal physiology and detecting these abnormalities in the early stages, before the symptoms appear and allows for early intervention with more options. Thermography may be useful as an adjunctive procedure to when using other diagnostic tools, too.

Breast thermography can serve as an early warning tool by detecting thermal abnormalities within the breast tissue. The procedure can also play a role in prognosis and as a method of assisting in monitoring the effects of treatment.

At HealthSCAN our professional team of certified thermographers are trained to image your body regions according to established industry standards/protocols, offering a safe, private, non-invasive experience. Today, modern systems provide high speed, high resolution imaging coupled with state-of-the-art computerized digital technology. This results in clear, detailed images captured by certified technicians for qualified physicians to interpret into a full comprehensive report.

Thermography is now recognized and valued as a highly refined science with standardized applications in Neurology, Vascular Medicine, Sports Medicine, Breast Health, and many other specialty areas. Whether you are being proactive or in an acute or chronic state of health, thermal imaging can help you and your healthcare team to keep moving forward on your personal wellness program.

 

For more information you can contact HealthSCAN by email info@healthscan.ca or call 905.220.3821. Or visit our website at www.healthscan.ca

Interested in booking a scan in Elmira? Contact Amy at amy@designedforyounutrition.com or 519-503-7926.