Frequently asked questions
What is thermal imaging?
Digital Infrared thermal imaging, or DITI, is a totally non-invasive, painless procedure with no radiation and no contact with the body. DITI is a clinical imaging technique that records the thermal patterns of your body. Your thermal images are used by your healthcare practitioner to help diagnose disease and monitor pain or pathology in any part of your body.
What is thermal imaging used for?
1. To help in determining the cause of pain
2. To aid in the early detection of disease and pathology
3. To evaluate sensory-nerve irritation or significant soft-tissue injury
4. To define a previously diagnosed injury or condition
5. To identify an abnormal area for further diagnostic testing
6. To follow progress of healing and rehabilitation
Is thermal imaging FDA registered?
Yes. DITI was FDA registered in 1982.
Is thermal imaging covered by insurance?
Some insurance carriers cover thermal imaging. Please check with your individual carrier. You can use HSA or Flex Health Spending accounts to pay for your appointment.
What parts of the body can be scanned?
Thermal images are taken of the whole body, or individual regions including breast, head, arms, legs, torso, etc. A lumbar assessment would typically include the lower back, pelvis, and legs. A cervical assessment would typically include head and neck, upper trunk, and arms.
Neurological testing can include a “cold stress test”; this involves placing a hand or foot into a bowl of cool water, or having a cool gel pad applied to any part of the body prior to scanning.
What happens when I have a thermal scan taken?
A thermal scan takes approximately 15 — 45 minutes depending on which part of the body is being scanned. You will remove all jewelry and clothes from the part of the body being scanned (for full body scans you leave underpants on), and will be asked to wear a surgical gown. For a breast scan, you will be asked to disrobe from the waist up.
While your skin is equalizing with the room temperature, you will be asked to fill out appropriate paper work.
What do I have to do to prepare for a thermal scan?
There are a few guidelines for preparing for a thermal scan:
Do not have physical therapy, massage, acupuncture or electromyography on the same day thermography is performed
Do not participate in vigorous exercise 2 hours prior to the test
Do not smoke for 2 hours before the test
Do not use lotions, deodorants, powder or liniments on day of test
Stay out of strong sunlight on the day of test
There are no dietary or medication restrictions on the day of your scan but no excessive hot or cold drinks prior to the test.
Wear loose fitting clothes if possible
*Reschedule your scan if you have a sunburn on your chest or the area being scanned. You would need to wait until all the sunburned area has peeled off.
*We cannot perform breast scans if you are pregnant or nursing. You would need to wait three months after you give birth and stop nursing before having a breast scan.
Who should interpret my scans and write the report?
All thermography interpretations should be reported by adequately trained and experienced doctors who hold board certification as Thermologists. We use Electronic Medical Interpretation Inc. (EMI). All of the MDs and DOs on their staff are board certified Thermologists.
What certification should a thermographer have to perform this exam?
Thermographers should hold certification from a professional body with an approved code of ethics and practice protocols that include quality control guidelines. Our thermographer is a Certified Clinical Thermographer through the American College of Clinical Thermology.
