What to Expect Before and During Your Thermography Appointment:
Thermography is a safe, non-invasive screening tool that provides valuable insights into your health. However, to ensure that your thermography results are as accurate as possible, there are a few important guidelines to follow before and during your appointment. These recommendations are designed to avoid any factors that could influence the infrared camera’s ability to detect temperature variations, which could lead to inaccurate readings.
If you’re preparing for a thermography screening, here’s what you need to know and do to ensure the most reliable results. By following these simple guidelines, you can maximize the effectiveness of your thermography exam and help your healthcare provider assess your condition with the most accurate data possible.
Three Months Prior to Your Thermography Appointment
To ensure optimal results from your thermography screening, there are a few key considerations before your appointment, particularly if you’ve recently undergone certain medical treatments. It is important that you refrain from the following:
No Breast Surgery, Chemotherapy, or Radiation Treatments: You should avoid thermography if you’ve had breast surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments within the past three months. These treatments can lead to changes in the breast tissue that could distort the infrared heat patterns detected by the thermography camera. Waiting for three months will give your body time to heal, ensuring that your results reflect your true baseline health.
No Breast Biopsy for at Least One Month: If you’ve undergone a breast biopsy, it’s recommended that you wait at least three months before having a thermography screening. A biopsy may cause localized changes to the breast tissue due to the procedure or the healing process, which could affect the accuracy of the thermographic images.
Lactation Considerations: If you are currently breastfeeding or have recently finished breastfeeding, it is important to wait at least three months after the last active breastfeeding session before scheduling a baseline thermography exam. Lactation can alter the appearance of the breast tissue, which could influence the results. However, if you have a specific concern or problem related to breastfeeding, thermography may still be helpful in assessing the area.
24 Hours Prior to Your Thermography Appointment
The 24-hour period leading up to your thermography appointment is critical in ensuring the accuracy of the imaging. Several activities and treatments should be avoided to prevent interfering with the camera’s ability to detect temperature variations in your body:
Avoid Exercise or Heavy Physical Activity: Physical activity increases circulation and body temperature, which can temporarily alter the temperature patterns that thermography uses to detect abnormalities. To ensure the most accurate results, it is recommended to avoid vigorous exercise or any heavy physical activity for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
No Massage or Lymphatic Treatments: Similar to exercise, massage or lymphatic treatments can impact blood flow and body temperature. These activities can cause temporary changes that might be reflected in your thermographic images, leading to inaccurate results. It’s best to refrain from any massage or lymph treatments for at least 24 hours prior to your exam.
No Chiropractic Adjustments: Chiropractic adjustments can also alter your body’s temperature and circulation. For the most reliable results, avoid chiropractic treatments for 24 hours before your thermography exam.
No Saunas, Steam Baths, or Hot Tubs: Heat exposure from saunas, steam baths, or hot tubs can increase your body temperature, potentially affecting the results of your thermography exam. Avoid these heat-based treatments for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Day of the Exam: What to Do and What to Avoid
On the day of your thermography appointment, you’ll need to make a few additional preparations to ensure that the infrared camera can capture your body’s true thermal signature. These steps will help prevent factors like skincare products or external heat sources from influencing your results.
Avoid Heavy Makeup: Wearing heavy makeup can obscure the skin’s natural temperature and interfere with the infrared camera’s ability to detect accurate temperature patterns. To ensure the best results, avoid applying makeup on the day of your exam. If possible, keep your skin clean and free of makeup.
No Oil-Based Products: Avoid using any oil-based skincare products or lotions on the day of your exam, as these can leave residues on your skin that may distort the camera’s readings. This includes deodorants, moisturizers, and creams, especially those containing oils.
Avoid Deodorants or Creams: Deodorants, creams, or body lotions, particularly those containing oils or other active ingredients, can leave a film on the skin, which may affect the infrared camera’s readings. It is best to avoid these products on the day of your thermography exam.
No Heat Lamps, Sunburn, or Direct Sun Exposure: Exposure to heat, including heat lamps, sunburn, or prolonged sun exposure, can artificially raise the skin’s temperature and influence the results of your thermography. To ensure accuracy, avoid these heat sources on the day of your appointment. If you have a sunburn, you will need to reschedule your exam as it will interfere with the imaging process.
Shaving Considerations: It is important that you do not shave the areas of your body that will be imaged on the day of your appointment. Shaving can cause temporary changes to the skin and circulation, which can distort the results. If you typically shave before such appointments, it’s best to do so well in advance.
Head Imaging Guidelines: If your head is being imaged, there are additional considerations to keep in mind. It is recommended that you avoid eating for at least two hours before your appointment, as eating can temporarily affect your body temperature. You should also refrain from chewing gum, as it can impact circulation and thermal patterns in the head and neck area.
Avoid Coffee and Cigarettes: Both coffee and cigarettes can affect your body’s temperature and circulation. For the most accurate thermographic readings, avoid consuming coffee, caffeine, or smoking for at least two hours before your exam.
Avoid Direct Exposure to Air Conditioning or Heating Systems: Exposure to direct air conditioning or heaters can disrupt your body’s thermal equilibrium, making it difficult for the camera to capture accurate readings. Avoid sitting under air conditioning vents or near heaters, especially in the car, during the hours leading up to your appointment.
Remove Jewelry: Before your thermography appointment, it is important to remove any jewelry from the area of the body being imaged. Jewelry can interfere with the infrared camera’s ability to detect the body’s natural thermal patterns and may need to be removed before the imaging takes place.
No Hot or Cold Packs: Finally, avoid using hot or cold packs on your body before your appointment. These packs can artificially alter your body temperature, which may interfere with your thermographic scan. For accurate results, your body should be at a natural temperature without any artificial influences.
In Summary: Preparing for Your Thermography Appointment
Following these guidelines ensures that your thermography screening is as accurate as possible. By taking care to avoid activities that could impact your body temperature, skin, or circulation, you help ensure that the infrared camera can detect the most precise and reliable thermal images. Thermography is a safe, painless, and highly effective tool for early detection of a variety of health concerns. With a little preparation, you can make sure you’re getting the most out of this advanced diagnostic procedure.
For any questions or further information on how to prepare for your thermography exam, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you get the best results and support you in your journey to better health.
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Bonnie is a lovely woman and a great thermographer. She gave me lots of tips on how to improve my lymph congestion, like diet changes, dry brushing, rebounding, etc. I am grateful for her and what she does!
Kristin Hoogerhyde
2024-08-10
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Bonnie gave me a thermography scan today. I loved hearing her journey on how she became a thermography technician. She is extremely knowledgeable about thermography and clearly explained what she saw in my scan. Bonnie is a very personable and caring person, I highly recommend her and her thermography service.
C B
2024-07-06
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Bonnie is amazing. She is very informative and very good at what she does. She truly cares about her patients. My Thermography report was able to provide insight to things that doctors have missed and lead me in the right direction to the answers I need. I am so thankful to have found her and I highly recommend her services.
