AJCC October 2000
Our Profession Has Been Mis-Educated On Clinical Thermography
by C.R. Solano, D.C., DABCT
What
is the I.T.S.?
The
International Thermographic Society (I.T.S.) is a non-profit
organization started in 1980 in order to create discussion and
understanding of thermographic technique and application in human
medical practice. The
International Thermographic Society is dedicated to the continuing
education of its members and the advancement of medical thermography
through research and discussion.
What
is Clinical Thermography?
Clinical thermography is the detection and recording of a
patient’s skin surface thermal patterns, using instruments, which can
provide visual and quantitative documentation of these temperature
measurements.
Thermography is appropriate and germane to health care practice
whenever the treating physician feels a physiological imaging test is
needed for diagnosis. Thermography is a physiologic imaging technology,
which provides information on the normal and abnormal functioning of the
sensory and sympathetic nervous systems, vascular dysfunction,
myofascial trauma and local inflammatory processes.
It may contribute to diagnosis and patient management by
assisting in determining the site and degree of irritation, the type of
functional disorder, the prognosis of treatment, as well as assisting in
the determination of the most effective treatment and case evaluation.
Thermography is an acceptable analytical procedure, which may be
performed by a licensed doctor or under his/her direct supervision in
cases, which demonstrate adequate clinical justification; however, a
professional, holding appropriate credentials with regard to knowledge,
skill and experience in thermography, must interpret the result.
Currently there are two recognized methods of thermographic imaging;
infrared thermography (IRT) and liquid-crystal thermography (LCT).
The educational standards of Thermography (Infra-Red), as it
applies to humans, has been established for 20 years.
We in chiropractic, who hold a Diplomate abide by the same
standards as other health professionals doing Infra-Red (I.R.) diagnosis
(M.D.’s, Dentists, Podiatrist).
Misuse
of Thermography in our profession
The International Thermographic Society has sat by far too long
while our profession was mis-educated by several equipment companies
professing to do thermography. None of these instruments do thermography.
They do SEMG, but hundreds of thousands of dollars have been
spent in falsely advertising these in many Chiropractic Journals and
sadly, even endorsed by some Chiropractic Colleges.
We informed companies of the dubious ads and one company, through
liaison, said it would no longer use the term Thermography in its ads.
Welcomed relief, but the damage has already been done.
No word from other companies yet.
Our profession has been denied the benefits of using Thermography
because the majority of our profession, especially 1 to 10 year
practitioners, have been taught that a 1-hour demonstration by a
salesman “teaching” “Rolling” or “Gliding” thermography on
the spine is the extent of Infrared diagnosis.
The I.T.S. is currently working with the FDA on other cases
involving the misuse of Thermography.
We strongly urged both companies to cease their false ads in
print and on the Internet. The
last two major ads from both companies deleted Thermography in print but
they remain falsely advertising on the Net.
That must cease also or we will take further action with the FDA.
For more information about thermography and/or up coming seminars, visit
our
website
at www.thermography.org a.k.a.
www.thermscan.com
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CONTENTS
Biomechanical & Neuro responses to Adjustment
Communicating From the Inside Out
Normal Values in Anatomy, Physiology, Disease and Chiropractic
Ambulatory Translational Traction
Percutaneous Radiofrequency Neurotomy...