Medical Thermography

Health Discovery Through Cutting Edge Technology

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In a world where we are bombarded with stress on a daily basis, peace of mind is a welcome respite. Worry not only wears on our psyches, but also on our general wellbeing. When it comes to health, sometimes the medical tests we have to endure can be as daunting as awaiting the outcomes. And, thankfully those medical tests aren’t ordered until there are definite symptoms. However, there is now a tried and true medical test new to the Lowcountry—thermal imaging. It is not a replacement for physician ordered testing; it is an add-on that many are choosing to have in order to detect health issues, possibly years before they become detrimental, or are detected by traditional medicine.

“Instead of disease detection, we call thermography “health discovery,” said Shar Weinrauch, certified thermographer and owner of Coastal Thermal Imaging Medical Thermography. Shar, a 20-year breast cancer survivor, who experienced a rapid growing lump, wished she would have known about thermal imaging before her diagnosis. Nonetheless, she discovered thermography while on her journey to heal herself of cancer, often using alternative methods. “Thermography can detect an area of concern up to eight years prior to it becoming a problem.” Shar likens thermography to “unzipping your skin” and being able to see inside. “In a nutshell, thermography can see your body asking for extra help,” she said.

What is thermal imaging: Thermography uses a highly specialized camera, which utilizes infrared and heat technology to identify hot spots in the body. Digital Infrared Imaging was first used to investigate breast cancer in 1957 by Dr. Raymond Lawson, M.D., a surgeon and tumor metabolism researcher.  Since then, there have been more than 800 peer-reviewed studies in medical literature, studying over 300,000 women.  In 1982, the FDA approved thermography as a breast screening procedure. Over the past 30 years, there have been larger studies supporting its effectiveness, as well as the development of strict, standardized protocols, and technological advancements in imaging hardware and computer processing. However, thermography is not a replacement or stand-alone diagnostic procedure.
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My experience: Shar, and her partner Debbie Price, CNMT, CT, invited me to try out the procedure. I agreed but was hesitant, thinking I was going to have to stand naked while they took pictures of me. My vision of what I was getting ready to go through was completely wrong. Thermal imaging ended up being so simple—pain and embarrassment free! I was in a private area, and Debbie and Shar sat on the other side of the drawn curtain. The camera was in the curtained area with me and was automated. As Debbie asked me to turn to different positions, she worked the camera from the computer. The images on the screen were waves of color. Basically, the most modest person can get through this test without a moment of being uncomfortable. Plus, the camera never touches you—no poking, prodding, smashing or squeezing.

Once, finished, they send the computer images to a well-respected, medical doctor in Clemson, SC, who studies the images and addresses any concerns. A week later, I had a full written report, which Shar thoroughly explained to me. My report looked great. The only area that showed concern was in my jaw, where I had a root canal last fall. Sure enough, about two weeks after the report results, my jaw started hurting with sinus inflammation. I couldn’t believe it had showed up in my results, two weeks before I felt any pain.

“Inflammation is generally accepted as the earliest stage of degenerative disease. Detection of inflammation requires a heat sensitive device and is therefore routinely missed by traditional imaging techniques,” said Shar.

Medical Thermography is for both men and women. It goes beyond breast cancer detection. Full body scans are available, and can offer early detection, or peace of mind, to those who have heart disease in their family, TMJ or jaw clicks, extensive dental work, digestive disorders, unexplained fatigue or weakness, or low-functioning thyroid, amongst other conditions.

Shar and Debbie are excited to bring this technology to the Lowcountry. “The next closest area with this state-of-the-art equipment is hundreds of miles away. We are so excited to offer people in the Lowcountry peace of mind with the earliest detection.”

To learn more about thermography and Coastal Thermal Imaging log onto www.betterviewofyou.com or call 843-301-7427.

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