Thermography at Well-Rooted Women: Early Detection for Better Health
At Well-Rooted Women, we are proud to offer thermography as a state-of-the-art screening tool to enhance your healthcare journey. This non-invasive, radiation-free method provides us with valuable insights into your body’s health, enabling early detection of imbalances and potential health risks before they are visible through traditional testing methods.
What is Thermography?
Thermography is an FDA-approved medical screening technique that uses a high-definition, digital thermal camera to detect and map surface body heat. This imaging tool reveals important information about inflammation, blood flow, metabolic activity, and other processes within the body. It is a safe, painless, and contactless procedure, meaning no radiation, compression, injections, or invasive methods are used.
Inflammation is a key indicator that the body is working to heal itself. However, it can also be an early warning sign of a range of health conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and arthritis. Thermography provides a unique digital map of this inflammation, allowing us to detect potential issues at the earliest stages of disease—offering the opportunity for timely intervention and more preventive care.
Breast Health Thermography Benefits
Thermography is particularly effective in screening for breast health, offering a valuable tool for women of all ages, especially those under 45. While mammograms are commonly used for breast cancer detection, they can struggle to detect cancer in younger women due to breast density. Thermography, on the other hand, is not affected by this density and can detect changes in the breasts that may signal early-stage disease.
Key Benefits of Breast Thermography at Well-Rooted Women:
- Imaging for Younger Women: Since approximately 15% of all breast cancer cases occur in women under 45 and can be more aggressive, thermography is an important tool for detecting early signs in this age group. We recommend starting regular breast thermography exams at age 25.
- Individualized Risk Assessment: While family history is a risk factor, thermographic markers can identify women who may be at higher risk, even if they don’t have a family history of breast cancer.
- Breast Cancer Prevention: Thermography can identify hormonal imbalances that may lead to increased activity in the breast tissue, which can serve as an early warning for breast cancer.
- High Sensitivity Imaging: Thermography detects changes in breast activity long before they can be seen on a mammogram—up to 5-8 years earlier. It can also reduce false positives and track the progression or regression of a lesion in its early stages.
- Better Screening Area: Thermography can detect cell changes in the armpit area, a region that is often missed in traditional mammograms.
Full-Body Screening with Thermography
Thermography is not limited to breast health; it can be used to screen other areas of the body for inflammation and imbalances. This includes:
- Head and Neck
- Sinuses
- Dentition
- TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)
- Carotid Artery
- Thyroid
- Cardiovascular System
- Bladder
- Abdominal Organs (GI Tract, Reproductive System)
- Musculoskeletal System (Arthritis, Orthopedic Issues)
- Varicose Veins
What to Expect During Your Thermography Appointment
- Preparation: You will undress in a private, climate-controlled room to allow your body to adjust to the room temperature. Only the areas being imaged need to be exposed.
- Imaging Process: You will be positioned in front of the thermal camera. The technician, who will be behind a curtain, will guide you through the process. You may be asked to sit, stand, or hold certain poses, such as raising your hands above your head.
- Results: Your thermography results will be interpreted within 1-2 weeks, and you will receive a complimentary follow-up appointment to review the findings and discuss the next steps.
Thermography is a powerful tool in detecting early signs of disease and inflammation without any radiation or contact. At Well-Rooted Women, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest standard of care by offering advanced screening options that prioritize early detection, preventive care, and better overall health outcomes. Contact Well Rooted Women to schedule your appointment (847) 905-0001