Thermography: FDA approved in 1982 for clinical use. It is a totally non-invasive procedure that is completely safe. There is absolutely NO contact with the body, NO compression, No radiation and No Doctor referral is required.
Early detection of inflammation could save your life! Inflammation is a precursor to many diseases. (Cancer, Arthritis, Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes, just to name a few). Thermography is a “temperature map” of your body. By using a “state of the art” infrared digital camera, scans are taken of your body. These images are analyzed for abnormalities by medical doctors that are licensed in reading thermal images, (much like a radiologist reads x-rays). Thermography is painless and does not expose you to any radiation. It's even safe while pregnant or nursing. There is no contact with your body (no squeezing like a mammogram) and no confining spaces (like an MRI or CT). Thermography can be useful in detection of more than just inflammation. Neurological, vascular and circulatory dysfunction can be seen as well as injury to muscles and bones.Normal images show patterns that are symmetrical (the same temperature on both sides of the body). When the temperature is not the same, it can indicate a problem. Having the image computerized means, there is no guess work in determining exact temperatures. The M.D. can read the temperature by moving the cursor over any portion of the image. By archiving the images, the medical doctor reading the thermogram can detect conditions much earlier by comparing old images to new images, pixel to pixel.The ability to compare in such detail is very important in breast cancer prevention. It is widely known that cancers need nutrients to maintain growth. Blood vessels remain open to help feed a tumor as well as new ones forming, called neoangiogenesis. This vascular process causes an increase in surface temperature in the affected areas which are then picked up by the camera. The newly formed blood vessels will have a distinct appearance. Thermography is good at detecting changes in the cells in the armpit area, an area that mammography isn't always good at screening. In inflammatory breast cancer or Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, there are often no lumps detected on either self-examination or on mammograms. The first clue may be detection of irregular heat patterns seen in thermal images of the breast. The thermal image is detecting vascular changes in blood flow patterns. Anatomical changes (masses or lumps) in a woman with dense breast tissue, is nearly impossible to view on a mammogram. Thermography is the perfect tool for early detection of cancer in these women. Because there is no radiation, monitoring can start at any age for optimal prevention. Because there is no contact with the body, there is no risk of rupturing a breast implant. This makes prevention risk-free for these women. So, can thermography alone diagnose breast cancer? No. In fact, all other screening methods (mammography, ultrasound, physical/self exam) can only suggest the presence or absence of disease. The only way to diagnose breast cancer is through a biopsy and pathological study.In 1981, Michel Gautherie, PhD, and his colleagues after a 10 year study, found that an abnormal thermogram was 10 times more significant as a future risk indicator for breast cancer than having a history of breast cancer in your family. (M. Gautherie and C.M. Gros, "Breast Thermography and Cancer Risk Prediction," Cancer, vol. 45, no.1 (Jan 1, 1980), pp. 51-56.) In the same study they determined that thermography alone was the first alarm in 60 percent of the cases of women who were eventually diagnosed with cancer, 8-10 years before any other test. (H. Spitalier et al., "Does Infrared Thermography Truly Have a Role in Present-Day Breast Cancer Management?" in M. Gautherie and E. Albert, eds., Biomedical Thermology: Proceedings of an International Symposium (New York: A. R. Liss, 1982), pp.269-78).Studies show that by the time a tumor has grown to a detectable size by physical examination or by mammography, it has been growing for about seven years. At 90 days there are two cells, at one year there are 16 cells, 5 years there are 1,048,576 cells (25 doublings of the malignant cells) which is STILL undetectable by a mammogram. At 8 years there are about 4 million cells (approx 32 doublings). 40 doublings (approx 10 years) is considered lethal.Thermography detects inflammation in the carotid arteries. This could guide a physician to request specific tests. Early detection could prevent a stroke or a heart attack. Thermal imaging of joints can detect very early signs of arthritis. The medical doctor that is licensed in reading thermograms can use the information to help diagnose osteoarthritis verses rheumatoid arthritis. This early detection could prevent further degeneration.By having a thermal scan done on your entire body, the M.D. reading the thermograms becomes a medical detective. Numbness or pain in a hand or foot, may be referred from specific areas of the spine. Thus, you would miss the true cause by having only imaged the painful area. Because there is no radiation, it becomes risk-free and cost effective to scan the entire body. Having a baseline (initial), full body scan, can be useful even in the healthiest person. Documentation of injuries and detection of pathological changes are easily seen.Involved in a car accident? Are you complaining of pain but your doctor can’t see it? Thermography can validate your complaints as well as be used to document the efficacy of therapies. Before and after images taken will document results of massage, healing touch, acupuncture, chiropractic and more.We specialize in full body scans. Don’t sell yourself short, you are worth the investment!
Step 1: You sit in a temperature-controlled room to allow your body to cool from any external conditions. At that time, you’ll complete some simple paperwork, including a health survey.
Step 2: You’re positioned in front of a Thermal Imaging Camera, and the technician takes digital pictures (5-15 minutes) You will be able to see yourself “live” on the computer screen, which can help give you a better understanding of your body.
Step 3: Your pictures are sent out to a certified physician for analysis of 1) the amount of heat and 2) the symmetry of the heat patterns. Heat patterns may indicate inflammation, infection, or a variance from your body’s norm.
Step 4: You’ll receive a report of findings in your mail shortly thereafter. This will help you and your doctor determine any next steps. .
Step 5: We recommend you return for thermograms annually to monitor your health and watch for changes. Since everybody’s body is different, the best way to detect problems is to measure changes from your own body’s norm.
Fee ranges from:
$150.00 for breast study (12 images first study. This includes head, neck, thyroid, back as well as under arms and breasts) There is NO better value anywhere than this!
You will require a 3month follow-up. Cost $125 (if you repeat your study in 90-120 days. This includes 6 images of the breasts.
$350.00 for a full body (26-34 images). This includes head to toe images and everything inbetween. Even includes breast images on men. We won't miss a thing.
The fees include a printed copy of the images with interpretation from an M.D. certified in reading thermal images, a second copy may be requested and sent to your doctor. Please provide Dr's name and mailing address.
Is this procedure covered by insurance?
This all depends on your individual insurance plan. Some companies cover the procedure while others do not. Our policy is to receive payment at the time of service. Some people choose to turn this in under their flex health spending plan. Thermography is not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare.
