Bounce Magazine March 2015

wELLBEING
MARCH 2015 | ISSUE #29
Spying out
secret health problems
WITH SARAH BIRRELL FROM BURY THERMAL IMAGING
It started out as a top-secret
spying device and now helps to
detect conditions that may lead
to more serious health problems,
including breast cancer.
The early detection of conditions, which could
lead to more serious disease, including cancer,
is the main focus of a local clinic.
Thermography, a technique born in the 1950s
and originally a top-secret Cold War spying
device, is now put to a wide range
of other uses including
detecting sources of nerve
inflammations, infection,
circulatory problems – even
finding cracks in aeroplanes.
Thermography has been
around longer than we may
think. In 1957 Dr Ray Lawson
discovered that his breast
cancer patients had higher
skin temperatures over the
affected area, and became
the first to use thermography
Thermography registers
body temperature
study breast cancers. Since the 1970s it has
been used for diagnostic purposes and the
equipment has evolved significantly, according
to Sarah. She explained the inflammation is a
precursor to many diseases and will show up on
the thermogram, making early
detection possible.
The process is simple. There is no skin contact
and there are no harmful rays. The medical
41
to
thermal imaging camera is able to capture
detailed images of the temperature of the
skin. The resulting images are analysed by
thermography-trained doctors who follow strict
standardized protocol, and a detailed report
is sent back, with follow-up recommendations
where necessary. A breast study consists
of two appointments, 90 days apart. The
doctor will be looking for thermal symmetry.
Suspicious changes during that 90-day
period will be noted. If thermal patterns have
remained stable, the study is archived for
future comparative studies.
“I see quite a few people who
have really good levels of general
fitness but have a problem
which therapists are struggling
to identify. The infrared image
literally shows up the hotspots
and helps to identify the
area that requires treatment.
It is especially good for
compensatory pain – where
a person has a problem in
an area but the cause is
somewhere else,” said Sarah.
Many medical tests are of anatomy, such as
X-rays, ultrasound and mammography. These
tests show us the structure of the body. There
are few tests available that are tests of the
function. Sarah states, “There is so much we
can do to prevent and treat illness and disease.
Early detection of a potential problem plays an
important part of making us feel empowered
to take control of our health and not live our
lives in fear of illness.” 01284 760020 - www.
burythermalimaging.co.uk