Thermography

~ PREVENTIVE MEDICINE ~

Medical Thermography Services.

Stratford Acupuncture & Nutritional Wellness Center welcomes patients for Thermography in these towns and surrounding areas: Shelton, Bridgeport, Trumbull, Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Monroe, Fairfield, Milford, and Orange. If you’d like to learn more, contact Stratford Acupuncture & Nutritional Wellness Center to schedule an appointment. You can book your visit by phone or online.
Thermography measures the infrared radiation (heat) which emits from the surface of the body. Areas of abnormality, pathology, or disease within the body will be observed as either hot or cold, depending on the metabolic activity.

An ultra-sensitive thermal camera and a sophisticated computer are used to convert the infrared heat emitting from the surface of the skin into electrical impulses that are visualized in color, known as a thermogram.

The thermogram is then interpreted by a team of medical doctors known as thermologists, who provide a detailed report of the findings. Thermography technology has been utilized for decades and can detect physiological changes at an early stage.

Offers

Up to $100 off Thermography Screens

NON-INVASIVE SCREENING

~ NON-INVASIVE SCREENING ~

Early Detection & Prevention.

A thermography screening assesses the health of the thyroid, oral cavity, breasts, abdomen, and lower body, as well as any other specific areas that may be of concern. Thermography is non-invasive and radiation-free, which makes it a great option for routine health screenings.

Traditional medical screenings such as X-rays, mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs focus on disease management, whereas thermography focuses on locating problem areas before they turn into diseases.

Thermography can provide the early detection necessary to implement preventive lifestyle changes with diet, exercise, and stress management.

~ ABOUT THERMOGRAPHY ~

Thermography FAQ's

  • Do I need a referral from a doctor to schedule an appointment?

    Yes, we require either your doctor’s or provider’s referral, or you can use our Direct Referral Form.

  • How long will my appointment take?

    The appointment length depends on the screening type. Breast screening appointments’ lengths are 30 minutes long. Full and upper body appointments’ lengths are 45 minutes long.

  • How long will my results take?

    Just like with other medical screenings, results aren’t immediate. The report, including images, will take approximately 3-7 business days. During busier times, such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, you can expect the report to take up to 14 business days.

  • Will insurance cover my screening?

    Currently, thermography is not reimbursable by insurance. However, you can also utilize your HSA (health saving account) or FSA (flexible spending account) to pay for a thermography screening.

  • Why do I need to come back for a comparison screening?

    The screening is to provide an accurate and stable baseline. The baseline represents your unique thermal vascular “fingerprint,” which can be altered by a developing pathology. A baseline cannot be established with just one screening because there is no way of knowing if this is a normal thermal pattern for you. By comparing images at the recommended interval at either 3, 6, or 12 months apart, the Board-Certified physicians can analyze if your thermal vascular fingerprint has remained stable over time.

  • How does thermography differ from screenings such as mammograms or ultrasounds?

    Thermography is a test of physiology, in other words, the normal or abnormal functions of the body. It detects and records the infrared heat radiating from the surface of the body. Thermography can help with early detection, monitoring of abnormal physiology, and/or establishing risk factors for developing or existing inflammation that may be a cancerous process. Mammography and ultrasound are tests of anatomy; they detect a structure. When a tumor has grown to a size that is large enough and dense enough to block an X-ray beam (mammography) or sound wave (ultrasound), it produces an image that can be analyzed by a trained radiologist.

  • Will a thermography screening tell me if I have cancer?

    Thermograms, just like mammograms and ultrasounds, are used for screening purposes only. None of these screening methods can diagnose cancer. Only a biopsy can provide a diagnosis.

  • What is thermography?

    Thermography is a screening tool using a medical infrared camera that records and analyzes the thermal patterns of the body. Healthcare practitioners use thermal images to help diagnose potential pathology and disease processes and monitor pain in any part of your body. The screening is non-invasive and painless, with no radiation or contact with the body.

  • What is thermography used for?

    ● To aid in the earlier detection of pathology, disease, and cancer.● To identify abnormal areas of the body for further diagnostic testing.● To define a previously diagnosed injury or condition.● To evaluate sensory-nerve irritation or significant soft-tissue injury.●  To follow the progress of healing and rehabilitation.

  • Why might thermography help?

    Although thermography is best known for imaging and assessing breast health, it has a wide range of other applications due to its ability to view inflammation. Inflammation is a precursor to many diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. Whether looking at the lymphatic or cardiovascular systems or specific areas of concern like the oral cavity or breasts, a thermogram views these as one system, the whole body.

  • How does thermography work?

    The body in a normal healthy state has a high degree of thermal symmetry (even on both sides). An individual’s thermal fingerprint should stay stable over a lifetime; it is only when a pathology of some type develops that asymmetrical patterns emerge.
    When used as a screening tool, thermography can allow the visualization of the most subtle temperature differences. The asymmetry seen on a thermogram assists in identifying suspicious areas and aids in the earlier detection of disease.
    A baseline will be established when comparing the initial thermography screening to all future screenings. It is of the utmost importance that all the recommendations listed in the thermography report are followed closely, especially when returning for comparison screenings.

  • Who will benefit from thermography?

    The information gained from a thermogram is valuable to men and women, of all ages, in any state of health. Inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases, including cancer. Thermography is an ideal tool for monitoring inflammatory changes in your body by creating a baseline scan and follow-up scans to show any minor changes. A thermography screening can be used for these and many other conditions:● Cancer.● Digestive Disorder.● Lymphatic Congestion.● Vascular Disorder.● Thyroid Dysfunction.● Neuropathy.

  • What can I expect at my appointment?

    At your appointment, the Certified Thermographic Technician will ask you to disrobe behind a privacy curtain where you will stand in front of the thermographic camera. Thermography can only be utilized without clothing, as clothing prevents temperature readings of the skin’s surface. Our technicians make every effort to respect your privacy and comfort with the use of privacy screens.
    Once positioned behind the camera, you will undergo an acclimation process. This involves relaxing while your body acclimates to room temperature. This process takes 10-15 minutes. This guarantees that the temperature readings are accurate and not affected by factors such as tight bra straps, clothing, outside weather, and other factors that cause a temporary increase or decrease in surface temperature.
    While you are acclimating, the technician will review your intake form with you, checking for accuracy and gathering additional information as necessary.
    Once acclimated, the technician will ask you to move in certain positions in front of the thermal camera in order to get a full picture of the breasts. That way, they can be assessed from every angle allowing temperature measurements to be taken in any location necessary. This process will only take a few minutes, after which you will get dressed and enjoy the rest of your day.
    The technician is not qualified to read your thermal images or give you any information or advice regarding them. You will not get your results at the time of the thermography appointment as the images taken by the technician will need to be analyzed and interpreted by physicians.

  • What can I expect following my appointment?

    Your images will be interpreted by PACT Board Certified physicians who are trained through the Professional Academy of Clinical Thermology and have many years of experience in medical thermography. Every image goes through three levels of analysis and interpretation by our physicians with varying degrees of expertise. A report will be created; it contains your images, medical history, and the doctor’s impressions and recommendations based on many factors.

    This in-depth analysis and multi-page report usually takes between 3 to 7 business days to complete. Our technicians offer a STAT (24-48 hours) option available to you at the time of your visit for a small fee if you need the results sooner than the estimated timeline.

    Reports will be issued to you directly by your technician in a digital format so you may enjoy the high-resolution images. We recommend reviewing your results with your doctor. You will see various measurements and comments based on your findings that will need to be investigated by a physician. Medical thermology reports are easy to understand by your doctor as their training in physiology and anatomy is extensive. If your doctor is not familiar with thermography or needs help understanding the report, our team of doctors is available for consultation.

    All records are held by our central organization. This allows you to be able to choose to go to any of our locations without having to start over if your technician or lab center becomes unavailable. Additionally, this guarantees that our interpreting physicians have access to your past thermography reports to establish a breast health baseline and effectively assess for changes on future exams.

    Click here to see a sample report.

  • Which factors may affect thermography results?

    Not all tests are 100% accurate. It is important to combine different modes of testing for the most optimal outcome. The following factors may affect successful outcome measures:● Age.● Obesity.● Ability to stay still in the proper positions.● Adherence to patient protocols.● Excessive bra use.● Seat warmers.● Over-exercising.● Caffeine use.● Medications altering hormones such as birth control.● Extra large breasts.● Breast implants.

~ WHAT WE OFFER ~

Thermography Services & Fees.


  • This thermal imaging series includes anterior, oblique, lateral, and inferior views of the chest, breasts & axillary regions. Click here to know more.

  • Upper Body Screening

    18 images


    This thermal imaging series includes the head & neck, thyroid region, breast (chest for men), abdomen, upper and lower back, and all extremities—optional testicular screening for men.

  • Head & Neck Screening

    6 images


    This thermal imaging series includes the frontal aspect of the head, neck, and thyroid region, including a cerebrovascular screening.

  • Full Body Screening

    28 images


    This thermal imaging series includes the head & neck, thyroid region, breast (chest for men), abdomen, upper and lower back, and all extremities—optional testicular screening for men.