Thermography

The original significance of the infrared spectrum – or simply “infrared” as it’s often called – as a form of heat radiation, is perhaps less obvious today than it was at the time of its discovery in 1800, when Sir William Herschel was in search for new optical material to reduce the brightness of the Sun’s image in telescopes during solar observations. However, it wasn’t Herschel who originated the term “infrared”. The word only began to appear some 75 years later, and it’s still unclear who originated it.

What is Thermography?

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging is a unique technology that takes a picture and creates a map of the infrared patterns of the body. It is different than other screening tools because it helps us to see function (physiology). MRI and X-ray detect anatomical changes so will miss such things as active inflammation or angiogenesis (increased blood supply as found in disease). Thermography was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (US) as an additional diagnostic tool for breast screening and diagnosis in 1982. Studies have shown that thermography can detect early danger signs in the body years before other tools, and it has been shown to be effective in finding early signs of breast disease up to eight years before mammography may detect it.

A Health Discovery Tool

Every person deserves the truth about their state of health. Instead of waiting for symptoms to manifest and a disease process to be diagnosed, Thermography gives you a very early look at the most important indicator of a potential health problem – inflammation. The early detection of inflammation may help you prevent negative health conditions from developing. Infrared screening “sees” the body functioning and changing in “real time”. Thermography can be used as a safe, affordable and non-invasive “discovery screening” to promote a healthy lifestyle. Thermography detects inflammation, often long before symptoms may be felt or eventually diagnosed with an actual disease.

Who Can Benefit From Thermography Imaging?

Anyone who is interested in proactively taking charge of their health and not focused exclusively on specific disease diagnosis will benefit from Thermal Imaging. A thermal assessment combined with guidance from a trusted healthcare provider is an opportunity to achieve desired results of optimal health and longevity.

What Can Thermography Be Used For?

There are three areas that Thermography is useful:

Inflammatory Phenomena – This could include early detection of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Fybromyalgia or trauma such as strains, sprains or chronic pain.
Neovascular Phenomena – Cancer is fed by the body’s own blood supply. This development of early vascularity is detected well before anatomical changes occur that will be detected with other screening tools.
Neurological Phenomena – Chronic regional pain syndrome, nerve irritation can cause referred pain in other areas. Circulatory deficits are easily seen in thermographic images.

Does Thermography Replace a Mammogram?

Thermography is not the “other mammogram”, it is completely different. A procedure that can assess a global picture of the general health of the entire chest does not replace a procedure that is examining only a limited portion of the breast — for cancer only.

Thermography Reports

Thermography reports will be sent directly to patients and to the referring physician (when requested by patient); transmission will be by electronic-mail and/or post-mail. Typically reports are sent out within two (2) weeks of the examination.

Learn more from Thermography Medical Clinic: What is Thermography?

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