FAQS
What is a thermogram?
A thermogram is an infrared thermal image. Infrared camera is used to photograph the heat coming from your skin. The heat pattern is then measured and analyzed and a report is generated. Asymmetrical patterns of heat get detected if there is an infection, fibrocystic disease or cancer. The procedure is entirely painless and non-invasive: nothing enters or touches the body. There is absolutely no risk of injury, discomfort or radiation. Your thermal images can be used by your healthcare practitioner to help diagnose and monitor pain or pathology in any part of your body.
What is thermography diagnostic useful for?
Medical research has shown thermography to be helpful in the diagnosis of any condition for which there is an alteration of blood flow or circulation:
Arthritis: thermography can help you detect early signs of arthritis — and differentiate between osteoarthritis and more severe forms like rheumatoid.
Dental Infections: If you have TMJ, gum disease, or an infected tooth, this will show up on a thermal scan as white or red hot.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Headaches, Neck and Back Problems: Thermal pain patterns ‘light up’ white and red hot on a scan in the involved area. You can get relief faster and begin restorative care that more precisely targets the correct area.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This condition is often misdiagnosed. For instance, you may think you have carpal tunnel, yet the scan shows your neck is referring pain from a different affected area. This will help you get the most appropriate treatment.
Metabolic Disorders: thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, autoimmune conditions
Nervous System Disorders
Immune Dysfunction, Pain Syndromes such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Issues: The immune system correlates to the T1 andT2 areas of your spine — high levels of heat in that region can indicate immune dysfunction. On the other hand, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and aching joints are just a few complaints that correlate to cool patterns seen at this area.
Stroke Risks
Vascular Disorders (Raynaud’s disease, etc.)
Is medical thermography FDA registered?
Yes, digital infrared thermal imaging was FDA registered in 1982.
Are thermograms covered by insurance?
Since medical thermography is considered “out-of-network” and “elective”, most insurance carriers will deny coverage. Please check with your insurance carrier directly if you can get reimbursed. We will provide you with the super-bill for the service.
Who will review and evaluate my thermogram and write the report?
All our thermography scans are sent to be interpreted by adequately trained and experienced medical doctors who hold board certifications as Thermologists. The report usually takes 7 to 10 days, and the results are provided for you. You are welcome to discuss them and any questions you might have with your health care provider or one of our naturopaths.
How can I trust that thermography is valid?
Over 30 years of clinical use and more than 800 peer-reviewed studies in the medical literature have established thermography as a safe and effective means to examine the human body. In this database well over 250,000 women have been included as study participants. The numbers of participants in many studies are very large ranging from 37,000 to 118,000 women. Some of these studies followed patients up to 12 years. Breastthermography has an average sensitivity and specificity of 90%.
Extensive research and investigation performed at prestigious medical teaching institutions such as Johns Hopkins University Medical School, have established normal values for the distribution of heat in each region of the body. Variation from these normal values are measured and correlated with suspected injuries or diseases in the same way a blood or urine laboratory study is interpreted. Since the pattern of surface heat reflects the interior structure, we can “see” your neurologic response through thermography.
Is Alternative Naturopathic Center and approved thermography clinic?
The thermography clinic at Alternative Naturopatic Center is approved by American College of Clinical Thermography (ACCT).
Breast thermogram examination, who, when, and how often?
Every woman would benefit from including thermography as part of her regular breast and general health care.
Breast cancers can be very aggressive in younger women. According to American Cancer Society approximately 15% of all breast cancers occur in women under the age of 45. There are no clear guidelines for the use of imaging procedures during these years. With the addition of Digital Infrared Imaging, women in this age group have a tool that they can add to their regular breast health check-ups. Also, it can be highly beneficial for women of all ages who, for many reasons, are unable or unwilling to undergo routine mammography.
General breast thermography guidelines:
Initial infrared scan by age 20
20-30 years of age – every 3 years
30 years of age and over – every year
We recommend:
Initially you have two thermograms three months apart to establish your baseline.
Follow-ups should be based on the risk rating seen in your study (anywhere between 6 months and 5 years).
Optional assessment of other risk factors based on your biochemical individuality and lifestyle factors.
Visit our website dedicated to breast thermogram examination for case studies and recommended reading.
What to expect from the breast thermogram appointment?
The procedure is done in our office in carefully monitored environment. Prior to having the thermogram you will be asked to sit on a stool wearing only a loose cotton gown disrobed from the waist up in order to allow your skin to cool to room temperature. You will remove all jewelry and clothes from the part of the body being scanned (for full body scans you leave underpants on). Your hair needs to be pulled up away from your neck to allow complete exposure of your upper chest and neck. A folding screen ensures complete privacy. After a few minutes of letting your body temperature stabilize to the room temperature, our certified medical thermographer will then focus the infrared camera to obtain images of your breasts in several specific views: frontal, left side, and right side. We expect your appointment should take no more than 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish.
The procedure is both comfortable and safe using no radiation or compression.
How do I prepare myself for the breast thermogram?
There are a few guidelines to prepare for a thermal scan:
Do not smoke for 3 hours before the test
Do not have massage, physical therapy, or electromyography on the day before thermogram is performed
Do not use deodorants, body cream and lotions, or liniments on day of the test
Stay out of strong sunlight
Avoid heavy exercise and tight-fitting clothing on the day of the test
Minimize spicy foods, hot beverages, and gum chewing on the day of the thermogram
When you schedule a thermogram, you will be sent an email with all the information you need to know before coming to the appointment.