Thermography North Tel:  231-941-2042      FAX: 231-941-2044                                          Address: 401 West Front Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684   email:  thermographynorth@msn.com

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Science of Breast Thermology

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What Happens during a scan?

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Thermography North provides infrared diagnostic imaging for breast cancer screening.   Using the latest in Infrared technology, thermal imaging provides non invasive digital pictures.  Because there is no radiation or contact involved, thermal scanning is completely harmless.

The scans are interpreted by Dr. Phil Hoekstra, PhD (Therma-Scan, Inc).  His thirty years of experience  provide the ultimate in early detection of breast cancer.  Thermal scans are also of tremendous value in evaluating vascular, neurological, and pain disorders.

Northern Michigan's answer to non-invasive diagnostics
 
Thermography North is pleased to introduce you to the procedure of diagnostic thermology, the medical science of diagnostic thermal imaging.

Thermology is a passive and functional type of study, unlike radiology (X-ray). This means thermology does NOT use any form of ionizing radiation (such as does X-ray) as it evaluates the features of activity and operations of distinct areas of the body. The equipment we use (an infrared thermography camera) makes many tens-of-thousands of detailed measurements of skin temperature at a distance of five to eight feet. The images produced are really electronic data of absolute temperature measurements that can be viewed as an electronic image presenting a spectrum of colors that indicate increased or decreased levels of infrared radiation (heat) being emitted from the body's surface.  Thermology provides a very different type of information than does other imaging methods, such as radiology, MRI and ultrasound. Frequently, the diagnostic power available from the functional means of testing adds greatly to the diagnostic power available from other types of testing. Thermology is seen as an attractive means of medical testing because it is absolutely safe, quick, simple for the patient and relatively inexpensive. In fact, thermology can often offer considerable savings by avoiding the need for other expensive procedures.

The body produces infrared energy as a necessary product of the life processes (metabolism), but this does not occur uniformly throughout the body. Major organs, such as the liver, heart, spleen and kidneys produce most of the body’s heat while we are not physically active. The circulation of blood distributes this thermal energy throughout the body and does so quite evenly under normal circumstances.

Thermology is applied to studies of the diseases of the blood vessels in the head, neck, arms and hands and the legs and feet. These studies can detect and evaluate the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), shunting, varicosities and micro-circulation. Thermology can be used to detect breast disease, such as cancer, fibro cysts and mastitis. Thermology can be used to evaluate disorders of the peripheral nervous system, such as nerve fiber entrapment and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Thermology can also be used to evaluate thyroid function, dental infections, the superficial lymphatic centers and muscular function.

Therma-Scan, Inc. has been a dedicated clinical and reference diagnostic laboratory for more than thirty (30) years. We have probably done more thermologic studies than anyone else in the world. Questions you may have regarding the selection of thermology for your medical situation should be directed to your physician.