Thermography: Get Deeper Insights into Your Health

We are fortunate to have many opportunities for having a closer look into our health status.  Bloodwork, saliva, hair, stool and urine testing are just some of the ways we gather information that indicate our imbalances.  There are also x-rays, bone scans, MRIs and other images that check-in on what's happening on the inside.  Each one of these evaluations has their unique benefits and disadvantages, and really just provide their own snapshot that we use to give context to how you feel and what symptoms you are experiencing.  

We also know that there is a difference between functional assessments (how are things working) and individual data points, which can vary depending on multiple factors.  An example of this would be a morning serum cortisol blood test, which could be impacted by rushing to a busy lab and having a coffee, versus a 4 point urine test that captures information about cortisol as it fluctuates over the whole day.  

On Friday, November 7th, 2025, we'll be hosting a Thermography Clinic.  As someone who has expressed interest in a deeper understanding of your health, this is a great opportunity for further insights.  Some of you may have heard of this scan before, while others are thinking, "what the heck is thermography?"  Let me explain.


What is Thermography?

When it comes to breast health, there are multiple ways of monitoring tissue:

• breast self-exam
• thermography
• ultrasound
• mammogram
• biopsy - the only definitive diagnosis

Each of these techniques is a way to capture changes in the breast tissue, like lumps, however, only thermography assesses temperature changes in the area.  Using a special digital camera, a detailed thermograph image is produced that shows infrared heat patterns.  It's been an FDA approved evaluation tool since 1971.

Detecting heat patterns is significant because it can distinguish between normal blood vessels, and blood vessels that supply malignant tumors (called neo-angiogenic).  Normal blood vessels respond to cold by contracting, while angiogenic blood vessels do not change in size in response to cold exposure.  Therefore, tissue temperature stays warm in those problematic areas and is picked up in the scan.

Mammograms are available to women in Ontario over the age 40, unless there are other circumstances or risk factors present.  There may be reasons that mammography is not chosen by certain people.  For instance, mammograms only capture lumps of stage 1 cancer or higher grade, they are not appropriate for all breast tissue types, and there is concern that the pressure of the machine may rupture encapsulated tumors.

Thermography can detect changes in tissue function 5-8 years before formation of abnormal cells.  It is performed without compression or touching, which may be important for those with a history of trauma.  Thermography is suitable for all breast tissue types (post-surgical scars, fibrocystic or dense breasts and breast implants), ages, and genders.  It can be repeated multiple times without harm of radiation.

Book Thermography Scan Here


How is it done?

Julie will be using my office to perform the Thermography assessments on November 7th.  You do not need to be a patient of mine (so share with your friends and family), but you may be referred to discuss results with your practitioner.

1. Baseline thermographic images of the area are taken
   e.g. for the breasts it is the front, sides, and underarm areas 
   
   
2. Hands are placed in cold water to change the circulation patterns
   
   
3.  A second set of images are taken of the area to be assessed
   
   
4.  Images are analyzed by a thermologist to determine dysfunctional or problematic areas of microcirculation and reports are sent out (usually within two weeks).  There may also be comparison to previous scans, if applicable.  Results are described as Th1 to Th5, where Th1 is considered "normal" and Th5 warrants urgent referral for other investigations like ultrasound or mammography.  It is not a diagnostic evaluation, only biopsy can confirm a diagnosis.
   
   
5. Strategy can be discussed with your practitioners

 Thermography is a way of bridging our understanding of tissue function in between "fine" and "not fine".  All of us know someone that was seemingly alright one minute, and then have their lives flipped upside down by a serious health diagnosis the next. In reality, there are many steps happening beneath the surface in between "fine" and "not fine", which means there is often opportunity for improving tissue function and hopefully preventing further progression of dysfunctional tissue.


What areas of the body can be scanned by digital infrared thermography?

The most common area to be assessed with thermography is the breast tissue, but you can also do scans of the head (teeth, thyroid, sinuses, lymph nodes), upper body (carpal tunnel, hands, spine/back, abdomen, fibromyalgia/chronic pain), lower body (diabetes, spine, legs & feet, blood clots) or full body.  

Book an appointment with Julie for November 7th, 2025

If you have any further questions, you can reach Julie at [email protected] or 1-866-681-8847  ext 2.

October is breast cancer awareness month.  Read more about breast health and how 1 in 8 women will one day be diagnosed with breast cancer here.  I'm not about fear, I'm an advocate for knowledge and health promotion.  The reality is that our health care system is struggling and not designed for prevention.  I'm excited to share with you this opportunity to gain further insights into your health, so that you can be proactive with any changes happening in your body.

In health,
Dr Christa


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This article is intended for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.