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Acupuncture & Natural Health Solutions Newsletter   Providing Natural Health Care for the Entire Family
Issue #2015-05a

Overview of Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging
(DITI)


Medical DITI is a noninvasive diagnostic technique that allows the examiner to visualize and quantify changes in skin surface temperature. An infrared scanning device is used to convert infrared radiation emitted from the skin surface into electrical impulses that are visualized in color on a monitor. This visual image graphically maps the body temperature and is referred to as a thermogram. The spectrum of colors indicate an increase or decrease in the amount of infrared radiation being emitted from the body surface. Since there is a high degree of thermal symmetry in the normal body, subtle abnormal temperature asymmetry's can be easily identified.  


Medical DITI's major clinical value is in its high sensitivity to disease in the vascular, muscular, neural and skeletal systems.  

 



Clinical uses for DITI include:
 

1. To define the extent of a lesion of which a diagnosis has previously been made;


2. To localize an abnormal area not previously identified, so further diagnostic tests can be performed;

3. To detect early lesions before they are clinically evident;

4. To monitor the healing process before the patient is returned to work or training.


 

Skin blood flow is under the control of the sympathetic nervous system. In normal people there is a symmetrical dermal pattern which is consistent and reproducible for any individual. 
This is recorded in precise detail with a temperature sensitivity 
of 0.1°C by DITI.


The mean temperature differential in peripheral nerve injury is 1.5°C. In sympathetic dysfunction's (RSD / SMP / CRPS) temperature differentials ranging from 1° C to 10° C depending on severity are not uncommon.

Rheumatological processes generally appear as 'hot' areas with increased temperature patterns. The pathology is generally an inflammatory process, i.e. synovitis of joints and tendon sheaths, epicondylitis, capsular and muscle injuries, etc.


Both hot and cold responses may coexist if the pain associated with an inflammatory focus excites an increase in sympathetic activity. Also, vascular conditions are readily demonstrated

 by DITI including Raynaud's disease, Vasculitis, Limb 

Ischemia, DVT, etc. 

 

Medical DITI is filling the gap in clinical diagnosis ... X ray, C.T. Ultrasound and M.R.I. etc., are tests of anatomy. E.M.G. 

is a test of motor physiology. DITI is unique in its capability 

to show physiological change and metabolic processes. It has 

also proven to be a very useful complementary procedure to other diagnostic modalities.


 

Unlike most diagnostic modalities DITI is non invasive. It is a very sensitive and reliable means of graphically mapping and displaying skin surface temperature. With DITI you can diagnosis, evaluate, monitor and document a large number of injuries and conditions, including soft tissue injuries and sensory/autonomic nerve fiber dysfunction.


Medical DITI can offer considerable financial savings 

by avoiding the need for more expensive investigation 

for many patients.


Medical DITI can graphically display the very subjective feeling of pain by objectively displaying the changes in skin surface temperature that accompany pain states.

Medical DITI can show a combined effect of the autonomic nervous system and the vascular system, down to capillary dysfunctions. The effects of these changes show as asymmetry's in temperature distribution on the surface of the body.

Medical DITI is a monitor of thermal abnormalities present in a number of diseases and physical injuries. It is used as an aid for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as therapy follow up and rehabilitation monitoring, within clinical fields that include Rheumatology, neurology, physiotherapy, sports medicine, oncology, pediatrics, orthopedics and many others.


Results obtained with medical DITI systems are totally objective and show excellent correlation with other diagnostic tests.  

 



DITI is a SAFE, affordable, non-invasive, no radiation, FDA registered clinical test studying unique thermal patterns and detecting changes in:

 

* Breast Health

* Headache evaluation 

* TMJ Dysfunction
* Vascular Health including: 

* Stroke screening

* Coronary Arteriosclerosis

* Deep Vein Thrombosis  

* Peripheral Pain & Injury to nerve and soft tissue

* Inflammatory Disease
* Nerve Entrapment

 

 

Resources: 

 

1.  Click this   link to see an alphabetical list of diseases that can
     be diagnosed and monitored using DITI. 

 

2.  Link for Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging 

 

Normal Scan: Good thermal symmetry with no suspicious vascular patterns or significant thermal findings.


 

 

Scan showing fibrocystic changes of left breast: The very significant vascular activity in the left breast justified clinical correlation and close monitoring which returned an opinion of fibrocystic changes taking place. These changes can be monitored thermographically at regular intervals until a stable baseline is established and is reliable enough for annual comparison.

 

 

Early Stage Malignant tumor of right breast: This is the specific area of a small malignant tumor. We can see the vascular feed and the discreet area of hypothermia that is displacing the surrounding hyperthermia. 

 

     

  Breast Thermography
 
Thermal Breast Imaging is Ideal for:
 
  • Women with breast implants
  • Young women with family history of breast cancer
  • Women of any age who want to reduce their exposure to  the mammogram radiation.

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) is especially appropriate for younger women between 30 & 50 whose denser breast tissue makes it more difficult for mammography to pick up suspicious lesions. This test can provide a 'clinical marker' to the doctor or mammographer that a specific area of the breast needs particularly close examination.

The faster a malignant tumor grows, the more Infrared radiation it generates. For younger women in particular, results from DITI screening can lead to earlier detection and, ultimately, longer life.

You can increase your chances of detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages by understanding the need for, and participating in an early detection program.

Only about 20 percent of biopsied breast lumps are cancerous. And, if cancer is found early, there are choices for treatment. With prompt treatment, the outlook is good. In fact, most women treated for early breast cancer will be free from breast cancer for the rest of their lives.

One day there may be a single method for the early detection of breast cancer.  Until then, using a combination of methods will increase your chances of detecting cancer in an early stage.


These methods include :

Annual breast thermography screening for women of all ages.

Mammography, when considered appropriate for women who are aged 50 or older.

A regular breast examination by a health professional.

Monthly breast self-examination.

Personal awareness for changes in the breasts.

Readiness to discuss quickly any such changes with a doctor.

These guidelines should be considered along with your background and medical history.

Thermography's role in breast cancer and other breast disorders is to help in early detection and monitoring of abnormal physiology and the establishment of risk factors for the development or existence of cancer. When used with other procedures the best possible evaluation of breast health is made.

This test is designed to improve chances for detecting fast-growing, active tumors in the intervals between mammographic screenings or when mammography is not indicated by screening guidelines for women under 50 years of age.

Thermography as a physiologic test, demonstrates heat patterns that are strongly indicative of breast abnormality, the test can detect subtle changes in breast temperature that indicate a variety of breast diseases and abnormalities and once abnormal heat patterns are detected in the breast, follow-up procedures including mammography are necessary to rule out or properly diagnose cancer and a host of other breast diseases such as fibrocystic syndrome, Pagets disease, etc.

Canadian researchers recently found that infrared imaging of breast cancers could detect minute temperature variations related to blood flow and demonstrate abnormal patterns associated with the progression of tumors. These images or thermograms of the breast were positive for 83% of breast cancers compared to 61% for clinical breast examination alone and 84% for mammography.

By performing thermography years before conventional mammography, a selected patient population at risk can be monitored more carefully, and then by accurately utilize mammography or ultrasound as soon as is possible to detect the actual lesion - (once it has grown large enough and dense enough to be seen on mammographic film), can increase the patients treatment options and ultimately improve the outcome.

It is in this role that thermography provides its most practical benefit to the general public and to the medical profession. It is certainly an adjunct to the appropriate usage of mammography and not a competitor. In fact, thermography has the ability to identify patients at the highest risk and actually increase the effective usage of mammographic imaging procedures.

Until such time as a cure has been found for this terrible disease, progress must be made in the fields of early detection and risk evaluation coupled with sound clinical decision making.

Thermography, with its non-radiation, non-contact and 
low-cost basis has been clearly demonstrated to be a valuable 
and safe early risk marker of breast pathology, and an 
excellent case management tool for the ongoing monitoring
and treatment of breast disease when used under carefully controlled clinical protocols.

This 15 minute Non Invasive, No Contact, No Radiation test is a valuable procedure for alerting your GP or specialist to the possibility of underlying breast disease.

This test is designed to improve chances for detecting fast-growing, active tumors in the intervals between mammographic screenings or when mammography is not indicated by screening guidelines for women under 50 years of age.

Mammograms are so 2014!
 
Ditch the radiation and start monitoring your breast health with Be Well Thermal Imaging!

We have a new partner in Naples, ask for Jo or
visit her website here.

All Be Well Thermal Imaging patients thermograms (breast images) are kept on record and form a baseline for all future routine evaluations.

Recipe Corner

 

Sweet Mung Bean & Coix Soup

綠豆薏仁湯

 

* Clears heat and dispels dampness.

*  Detoxifies and cleans the Intestines.

 


 

INGREDIENTS: 

  • 200 g (7.1 oz) mung beans

  • 200 g (7.1 oz) coix

  • 1500 cc (1500 ml) water

  • 60 g (2.1 oz) rock sugar (or table sugar)

     

Makes 4 - 6 servings

 

PREPARATION:

  • Wash mung beans and coix thoroughly.

  • Place both ingredients in one pot and cover with 2 to 3 inches of water to ensure that the beans are thoroughly soaked.

  • Soak overnight.

COOKING: 

  1. Drain and return mung beans and coix to the pot and add 1500cc of water.

  2. Bring toa boil. Cook over high heat for 5 minutes.

  3. Then cook with lid covered over mediumheat for 30 minutes to an hour, until ingredients become soft.

  4. Test by squeezing thebeans between your fingers or using the tines of a fork. Consistency should be soft andfirm yet still maintain their shape.

  5. Add rock sugar and bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar.

  6.  Remove from heat. Serve cold or hot.

 

The information contained within the  newsletter is only used to educate and inform. This newsletter is  not a substitute for the advice of a licensed and registered health  care provider. Seek prompt attention for emergencies. Consult  a health care provider for specific health concerns, and before  starting a diet, cleanse or exercise routine.
Monthly Acupuncture Column Featured in SW Florida's Health & Wellness Magazine 

Toni Eatros, AP,

Acupuncture Physician, 
is the  featured acupuncture columnist in the popular SW Florida's Health & Wellness Magazine.
  
Be sure to check out the May issue, on stands now, entitled  Save Your Gallbladder with Traditional Chinese Medicine.
  
  
Click the link below 
to view April's Article, entitled   Treating Osteoporosis With Chinese Herbal Medicine.
  
Acupressure points

 

Rubbing acupuncture

points with your finger for  30 - 60 seconds can stimulate and promote the circulation of Qi within your own body,  restoring health and well-being. 

 

---------------------------  

 

Small Intestine 1 

(SI1):

English: Lesser Marsh

Chinese: Shao Ze

(少澤)

    

 


 

 Location

 

At the corner of the nail on the ulnar side of the little finger.

 

 Actions & Affects:

 

  • Breast disorders of any etiology, insufficient lactation, mastitis, breast abscess, cysts.
  • Jing Well Point, clear heat from the opposite end of the channel, for eye redness, earache, tinnitus, sore throat, stiff tongue.
  • Headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness.
  • Local point for problems of the little finger and the course of the channel - pain and/or weakness of the arm and/or shoulder.

  •  
    Acupuncture Research

     

    Breast Thermography 

    ---------------------------

     

    Over 30 years of clinical use and more than 8,000 peer reviewed studies in the medical literature have established thermography as a safe and effective means to examine the human body.

    It is completely non-invasive, and does not require the use of radiation or other potentially harmful elements.

    Medical research has shown thermography to be helpful in the

    diagnosis of:


     * Breast Cancer *


     * Nervous System Disorders *


    * Metabolic Disorders *


    * Repetitive Strain Injuries *


    * Headaches, Neck and Back Problems *


    * TMJ Condition *


    * Pain Syndromes *


    * Arthritis *


    * Vascular Disorders *


    * Soft Tissue Injuries *


    There are over 800 peer reviewed breast thermography studies in the index medicus.

     

    In this database, over 250,000 women have been included as study participants.

     

     The number of participants in many studies are very large ranging from 37,000 - 118,000 women.

     

     Some of these studies have followed patients

     up to 12 years.

     

     Breast thermography has an average sensitivity and specificity of 90%.

    Studies show that an abnormal infrared image is also the single most important marker of high risk for developing breast cancer 8 times more significant that a first order family history of the disease.

     

     A persistent abnormal thermogram carries with it a 22 times higher risk

     of future breast cancer.

     

     When added to a woman's regular breast health checkups, a 61% increased survival rate has been realized.

     

     Finally, when used as part of a multimodal approach 

    (clinical exam + mammography + thermography)

     

    95% of early stage cancers will be detected.   

     

     

    Acupuncture Books

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    Referral Resource

           Mammograms are so 2014! 

     

    Ditch the radiation and start monitoring your breast health with Be Well Thermal Imaging!

     

     

    We have a new partner in Naples, ask for Jo or visit her website here!

     

     

    Click the following Resource Links for additional information:

     


    #1. International Academy of Clinical Thermology

     

     

    #2. International Thermographic Society

     

     


    #3. American Academy of Medical Infrared Imaging

     

     

     

    #4. Breast Thermography Organization

     

     

     

    William Cockburn, DC. Founder of the Isabella Tracey Memorial Breast Health Foundation. Former president of the IACT and pioneer and expert in this field

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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