Patient Preparation Instructions for Thermography

 

Please read instructions carefully. It is important that you follow the instructions carefully to insure valid test results. Do not hesitate to phone our office if you have questions. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

The thermography test is a non-invasive, painless test with no needles or exposure to harmful radiation. Infrared photography is heat sensitive only.

 

1. Shower or bathe the night before your exam, not the day you are scheduled. Any shaving of area to be imaged should be done the day before, as well.

 

2. Take no pain medications or aspirin at least 6 hours prior to your test. Be sure to advise the staff if you have taken medications, including blood pressure, alpha-blocker, circulation, anti-coagulant medicines, and aspirin or pain medication. Be sure to check with your doctor if changes to your schedule must be made.

 

3. Do not sunbathe at least 3 days prior to your exam. Sunburn would interfere with results.

 

4. Do not undergo any kind of physical therapy or use TENS for 6 hours prior to your exam. No acupuncture, chiropractic, ultrasound treatment or hot/cold pack for 24 hours prior to exam.

 

5. Wear loose fitting garments prior to the exam, and remove any jewelry, rings, watches, etc., in the area to be imaged.

 

6. Do not consume any food or hot/cold beverages at least 2 hours prior to your exam. No gum chewing either! Do, please, drink water as usual.

 

7. Do not smoke at least two hours prior to your test.

 

8. Do not use lotions, ointments, antiperspirants, or deodorants on or near the area to be imaged after bathing the night before until after the exam.

 

9. If you must bring a small child, please bring someone responsible to tend the child while your exam is being completed.

 

10. When nursing, please nurse prior to one hour before the exam.

 

Scan Procedure

 

We will ask you to fill in a form with your basic personal information. We can email that to you prior to the exam, at your request.

 

1. You will sit in a cool room (68° F.) alone for 15 minutes, upper body undressed and shoes/stockings removed, to equilibrate; a light cover (scarf or gown) is optional.

 

2. The First Series of images is taken for a baseline study. (Technician operates equipment from outside of cool room for your privacy and temperature maintenance.)

 

3. Your hands rest in a bowl of cool water for one minute.

 

4. You wait for 3-5 minutes while your body responds to that "challenge." The Second Series of images is then taken for effective diagnosis.*

 

5. We double check to see that the images are properly taken, and then you may redress and look at the images.

 

*The Second Series is critical for accurate diagnosis of early tumor development.