What Is Thermography?
Thermography uses a high-resolution infrared imaging system in a controlled environment to take thermal images of clients who have followed pre-imaging protocols (listed at bottom of page). A thermologist (doctor) can read thermal images and determine if patterns are present that may indicate risk to the body. The FDA approved thermography as an adjunct imaging procedure for breast cancer in 1982. Thermography uses no radiation and is non-invasive. There is no touching, pressure, or probing.
Can I use thermography as a replacement for mammograms?
No, they are completely different. It is not a replacement for any other forms of imaging or medical procedures.
What can thermography find?
Thermography has saved many lives by being a first alert for breast cancer, thyroid issues, heart disease, stroke risk, and much more. It can also indicate conditions, such as hormone disruptors, up to ten years before cancer begins to grow. This allows you to make changes to prevent future health problems. In some cases, such as skin cancer, gastrointestinal, and pelvic issues, it is better to go directly to a doctor instead of getting a thermogram first. Those things will show up on a thermogram, but then you have to go to a doctor anyway.
How accurate is thermography for detecting breast cancer?
Thermography and mammograms are each about 75 to 85 percent accurate. They are completely different forms of imaging. One uses thermal emissions from the body and is better for showing fast-growing forms of cancer; The other is better at detecting larger masses. Thermography should not be used as a replacement for mammograms.
How often should I get a thermogram?
You should get a thermogram once a year. If the doctor finds suspicious or "watchful" (T-3) results, he may recommend that you get another one sooner.
Are you a doctor?
I am a certified thermography technician. I download your infrared images and paperless intake forms via a secure medical portal to Doctor William Amalu, the thermologist with whom I work. He will interpret the images and download a report to me, which I send to you, along with the images I took, via a secure, HIPAA approved email.
What can I expect when I come in?
I schedule appointments so you do not have to wait. You will be led to the imaging room where you will remove your clothing, depending on what type of thermography you want, and put on a gown. You will be given a disposable thong if you want a full-body or lower body thermogram or you may bring your own. You will sit comfortably for fifteen minutes so your body can acclimate to the termperature of the room, which will be about 70 degrees F. The technician will take your temperature with a touchless thermometer and note any abnormalities in the skin to avoid inaccurate results.
How much do you charge?
My prices are listed near the bottom of this page. I do several different sets of images. These prices include the doctor's report. I recently reduced my prices to compete with other thermography clinics that lowered their prices.
Pre-imaging Protocol
Before you arrive for your thermogram, certain protocols must be followed in order to ensure that your images reflect accurate information.
No prolonged sun exposure (sunbathing and tanning booth) to the body areas being imaged five days prior to the exam.
No use of deodorants, lotions, oils, creams, powders, or makeup (no facial makeup for full-body or upper body scans) the day of the exam.
No shaving or other hair removal of the areas to be imaged the day of the exam. Shaving nicks and depilatory burns will cause inflammation that will affect the images.
No treatments (chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, TENS, physical therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, ice or cold pack use, heating pad, sauna, or steam room) or physical stimulation (scratching, rubbing, etc.) of the areas to be imaged for 24 hours before the exam.
No exercise the day of the exam.
If showering, it must be no closer than one hour before the exam. No very hot baths for 24 hours prior to the exam.
Avoid pain medications for four hours prior to the examination. However, you must consult with the prescribing physician for his or her consent prior to any change in medication.
You must wait at least four weeks after having a fine needle or core biopsy of the breast before a thermogram can be performed.
You must wait at least eight weeks after having a lumpectomy or surgical biopsy of the breast before a thermogram can be performed.
If you have had a medical procedure within the last 12 weeks, please tell me before scheduling your appointment.
If you are scheduled for a breast thermogram, the same protocols above apply along with no physical stimulation of the breasts for 24 hours before the exam. If you are nursing, please try to nurse as far from one hour prior to the exam as possible.
Reschedule if you are sick or have a fever the day of the appointment.
Please note: During the examination you will be disrobed (from the waist up for breast exams, and buttocks exposed for lower body exams) during part of the examination for both imaging and to allow the the surface temperature of your body to acclimate with the temperature of the room. You will be given a disposable thong, for lower body imaging, for your privacy or you may wear your own.
Do not hesitate to call or text if you have any questions. Thank you for choosing Abintra Wellness Elevation. I look forward to meeting you.,
Infrared Images and Interpretations
compliments of Dr. William Amalu
Arms
This patient was experiencing chronic radiating pain into the left arm along with altered sensations. This image shows a distinct cooling in the left upper arm. A discopathy was suspected. The patient had been undergoing treatment using prescription medication and physical therapy with limited results. This thermogram prompted further imaging, which discovered a disc protrusion in the neck compressing the nerves leading into the left arm.
Estrogen Dominance
This image shows large, hot, red-orange blood vessels across the upper quadrants of both breasts. Upon further testing, the patient was diagnosed with mammary estrogen dominance. Many patients with this condition have tenderness, pain, fibrocysts, and/or cystic breasts. One of the leading risk factors for breast cancer is long-term exposure to synthetic estrogen. See "What Are Hormone Disruptors?" below.
Hands
This infrared image shows hot (red) spots over the finger joints. The patient had already been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and these joints were painful when she moved them due to the inflammation.
Lower Back
This patient had chronic low back pain and radiation pain into the left leg. The patient was undergoing physical therapy without relief. The image of the lower back shows a hot (red-orange) deviation along with coolness over the front of the left leg and heat over the right leg (image to the right). A discopathy was suspected. With this information, the patient's doctor ordered further testing. A lumbar disc protrusion was discovered compressing the nerves leading into the lower leg.
Lower Legs
This image shows a combination of inflammation (red-orange) in both legs and coolness in the left leg caused by a discopathy in the lower back (image to the left).
Breast Cancer
This image shows coolness (maroon and blue) over the right breast and large, hot blood vessels (red-orange) over the left breast. (Thermobiological level 5--very abnormal) The patient was sent back to her doctor for immediate follow-up imaging. Upon biopsy the left breast was diagnosed with cancer.
Estrogen Dominance
The pre-treatment image above shows a pattern of large, hot (red) blood vessels across both breasts. Her doctor diagnosed her with mammory estrogen dominance.
Post-treatment
The post-treatment view above shows a complete resolution of the previous hyperthermic vascular pattern. The image is now displaying a relatively cool and normal pattern across both breasts.
Normal Breasts
This image shows a cool thermal pattern. This is Thermobiological level 1 (normal).