THE COLORS OF MEN….

November is Men’s Health Awareness month. Now I’m sure it was a woman who insisted on this…aren’t we the ones responsible for everyone’s health? I personally don’t care who thought of it, I’m just thankful that there’s some global awareness for men’s health! If there needs to be a bunch of men wearing facial hair to get each other to pay attention, then so be it. 

Most people associate Thermography with it’s “color coding”. True, the colors do tell a story, but often times once we explain that “white” is the hottest meaning extra vascularity and “black” is the coldest meaning no vascularity, everyone assumes all “hot spots” are bad and all “cold spots” are good. Well, that’s not necessarily true.

Now, I realize our company’s name includes the word “Breast” which is not normally associated with men, but as I have written about before, Thermography is useful for so much more than breast health. It’s good for your entire health, whether you are a man or a woman.

In fashion, color is recognized as something we all have to “look good in”, or “match to one another”. Most men say they are not concerned about color. However, have you tried to get your man to wear pink…not always an easy sell. How about suggesting they wear a “blue” shirt to a Vols game…he’d look at you like you had 2 heads. The lesson from this is; color matters in the right context.

In my office, the number of male clients has almost doubled this year! So I guess November is not the only month for Men’s Health Awareness. In getting back to the “good or bad colors”; I scanned a man whom Coronary Artery Disease was able to be discovered by Thermography. There was a distinct “blue” area over his Coronary Artery. In keeping with what indicates changes in increased vascularity or not, the area that was blue in this instance indicated a “decreased vascular” pattern, which can be just as indicative of a “red flag” as increased vascularity. Meaning, there was a “decrease in the blood flow” to his heart. Not a good sign. Through his Thermography, his cardiac physician was able to treat him for this condition before it had an opportunity to have severe health issues.

This same man had Diverticulosis, and said he wasn’t having any digestive issues. Now, this could just as easily have been a woman’s scan, but I was writing about men, so I used them.The bottom line here is, get a checkup, because just as I say to women about their breast health…do something because doing nothing is not acceptable. There are women, children, siblings, parents and even your employer and ci-workers who are depending on you. Make sure you’re the healthiest you can be! Oh, and by the way, remember you can shave on December 1^st.

For more info or to book an appointment visit www.bodybreastscans.com 

Bras, Bras, Bras...

BRAS, BRAS, BRAS…am I the only one who wonders who initially created this contraption, and what they were trying to accomplish?

Studies show that over 92% of women wear some type of bra on a daily basis. That equates to what financial insiders estimate, conservatively, to be a $16.6 billion industry. Hmmm…that’s a lot of bra sales in a year.

Now, personally being one of those 92% of daily bra wearers, I never thought twice about what that bra meant to anything but my “fashion health”. I was always just programmed to find one that fit, supported and lifted (which became a very important feature after the age of 50, if you know I mean). With those requirements, that generally led us all to underwire bras.

Most of us would never have thought twice about our bra affecting our breast health, or our overall health for that matter. Well here’s some information that might surprise you. There are 2 very good reasons to not wear underwire bras: 1) that bra that sits below our breasts and under our armpits are sitting directly onto two very important Lymphatic Reflex points below the breast.  The one below your right breast corresponds to your liver and gallbladder. The one below your left breast goes to your stomach; 2) the metal wires in our bras act as magnets for the EMF’s (electro-magnetic frequencies, positive ions) that come at us all day from our electronic devices. These EMF’s are produced by our favorite “toys” like, cell phones, big screen TV’s, laptop computers, even the pretty dashboards of our cars. And where are those EMF’s pointing, that’s correct, right at our breasts and those underwires! They are literally magnets to attract EMF’s, to our breast tissue.

Through Thermographic imaging, we are able to show you exactly where the accumulation of these EMF’s are. We can even tell you which ear you predominantly use for your phone usage.

I have referenced the book “Dressed to Kill” in other posts, and I highly recommend it for your reading list (when you’ve finished the latest summer release from Mary Kay Andrews of course). It has some very interesting studies in it such as: a study conducted of over 4,000 women, and found that women who do not wear bras have a much lower risk of breast cancer.

The findings included:

• Women who wore their bras 24 hours per day had a 3 out of 4 chance of developing breast cancer
• Women who wore bras more than 12 hour per day, but not to bed, had a 1 out of 7 risk
• Women who wore their bras less than 12 hours per day had a 1 out of 52 risk
• Women who wore bras rarely or never had a 1 out of 168 chance of getting breast cancer

Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, (Bantom Books 2002; page 344) writes “Stop wearing an underwire bra.”   Too often this kind of bra cuts off circulation of both blood and lymph fluid around the breast, chest wall, and surrounding tissue.  She says to minimize the amount of time you wear a bra. (Christiane Northrup, 2011)

Dr. Jesse Hanley, M.D., in her book: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Pre-menopause, encouraged her patients not to wear underwire bras or even tight bras, except for special occasions because they block the lymph glands under the arms, around the breast and chest wall. “Lymph glands play an important role in draining toxins from the breast.”  (What do doctors say about fibrocystic breast disease and bra wearing?)

So as you can see, there is more to your bra than cleavage! 

We will be hosting a special event on October 3rd where you can learn more important information about how your bras should fit! Visit our EventBrite page for more details and reserve your spot: http://bracreative.eventbrite.com/ 

You can also contact us at 615-934-3121 or email atinfo@bodybreastscans.com.

Thermography…A “SMART” choice that's not just for GIRLS!...

Whenever I sit down to write a blog it’s always a challenge to think of what people actually want to read about. Since that’s a subjective thought, I find writing about my client’s comments or questions is always a good start. Usually the second question people ask when they inquire about our services is “will Thermography benefit my husband?”. 

Lately, I have had an increase in the number of men who are seeking Thermography, not just because some woman in their lives sent them kicking and screaming; they are actually discovering this health alternative through their own research. 

People who are aware of Thermography often associate it only with women’s breast health. That’s sort of its ‘claim to fame” if you will. That’s been one of the more misinterpreted perceptions of Thermography.  The science behind Thermography is the visualization of vascular activity within our bodies, or increased heat. Yes, it’s pain-free (no smooshing!); radiation free; safe, however, with its predictive ability, it’s also “smart”.

I’m finding more men are becoming attuned to their own health issues, whether it’s digestive, circulatory, muscular, unexplained/relieved pain, etc., men (as well as women) are interested in getting to the bottom these issues. 

The predictive ability of Thermography allows us to visualize potential issues in their infancy, thus permitting us to explore something as simple as diet and life style changes to head off potential future issues; or explore alternative options for issues that are identified as needing immediate intervention because they were left unidentified for so long. 

One of the more surprising results from a recent scan I performed was on a 24 year old man. He was entering a professional sports arena, and I was asked to perform a full-body scan (yes, his mother drug to me!). As a result of the Thermographic scan on this “young, perfectly healthy” man, it was identified he had blockages in both carotid arteries! As you can image, for an athlete, that could have been a death sentence. As a result of this discovery or prediction, he was able to start a simple lifestyle change and an aspirin or angiotensin enzyme program. He returned 90-days later and the blockages were almost totally eliminated!

I hope this starts you thinking of the many ways Thermography can help you and your family members, no matter age or gender. If you’d like more information on what type of predictive results Thermography can provide for you please feel free to visit our website at www.bodybreastscans.com or call us at 615-934-3121

"YOUR” HEALTH…"YOUR” DECISION

Lately, I’ve been disappointed and concerned at how many clients tell me their physicians “refuse to accept” their Thermography as valid. I’ve been told their doctor said they would no longer treat them if they choose a non-traditional option for their breast health; like Thermography.

Now, I realize our traditional medical community is ambivalent towards the Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging technology available. Many of you have often heard me defend these physicians on their position. After all, they are only humans who only have so many hours in a day to absorb more information. That being said, I have been wondering when our “choice as a patient” took a backseat to “pleasing our physician”?

This year, approximately 226,000 women will be diagnosed with, and over 40,000 women will die of a form of breast cancer. With statistics like these one would think every member of the medical community would take a positive stance on any and all technology that assists women in their breast health.

There are two realities here that need to be realized; first, women are interested in, and seeking alternatives to the traditional breast screenings available; second, many women seeking Thermography are most likely NOT participating in traditional screenings. 

Although any good Certified Clinical Thermographer would never teach Thermography as the only screening needed for your breast health, because we strongly believe in a combination of screenings, its validity should not be overlooked simply because a physician is not educated on the technology. These two realities are realized daily in my office by the number of women who opt to receive Thermography, as an out-of-pocket expense with no insurance reimbursement.

I personally would like to see physicians applaud their patients who do their own research and find alternatives when they are not comfortable with a suggested test. That does not mean they have to agree with their choice, just respect it. If a patient is not comfortable, they are not going to undergo what is being recommended, which means they are doing nothing. Anyone who knows me, reads my blogs, attends my presentations or sees me as a client knows my motto: DO SOMETHING, BECAUSE DOING NOTHING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!

Whether you choose Thermography, Mammography, Ultrasound, or a combination of all these… get that screen. You owe it to your loved ones, your friends, and most importantly, yourself.

If you would like additional information on Thermography or breast health in general please visit our website at www.bodybreastscans.com; www.brasthermography.com or call us at 615-934-3121.

Thermography: Finally a Risk Assessment for Injury, Illness & Disease

Breast Thermography of Middle TN offers full body imaging, which can identify early signs of, sports injuries, soft tissue injuries, chronic pain conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, a thyroid disorder, circulation problems, early characteristics of breast cancer and more. Opening our office has made it easier for local men and women to independently access this technology. In the case of breast Thermography, it is not a replacement for a mammogram — it is adjunctive.

Thermography is a non-invasive imaging test that shows the heat patterns emitting from the surface of the skin. Since body temperatures act as reference points and are an indication of how the body is functioning or reacting to internal changes, abnormal heat patterns can signify when something is off-center.

Physio-centered practitioners often appreciate this technology to provide an initial starring point in a treatment plan as well as its ability to show progress during the treatment plan. Chiropractors, massage therapists’, physical therapists’’ and occupational therapists’ often request bi-weekly or monthly scans as part of their progress report.

The scan is quick and easy. After your body is acclimated to a temperature controlled room for 15 minutes, pictures of the area you would like scanned are taken using an infrared camera. The images are sent to a medical doctor trained in the interpretation of Thermography. The doctor then sends back a report, explaining what the heat patterns mean and what course of action, if any, is recommended.

For more information or to book your appointment, please call 615-934-3121, email: info@bodybreastscans.com or go online and book yourself at www.bodybreastscans.com

History... When does it actually begin?

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I was speaking to a new client earlier this week. She asked all the normal questions about Thermography. We discussed the normal differences between Thermography and Mammography, pros and cons of both; limitations of both, etc.

After we had spoken for a while this client told me she had a history of breast cancer in her family. That’s not unusual for me to hear. But her last statement to me is what prompted this blog. She said “I’m not accepting my family’s history…I’m choosing to start my own family history.”

That got me thinking about how often I hear the “history” sentence that most women carry around. I always talk about how much our mental state affects our physical state and by thinking positive you can often times overcome things that we deem are destiny because of the past.

Now, I am not saying that we should not be cognizant of our family medical history. What I am saying is we should take a strong look at what shaped “that history” and discover what we can do to “shape our own history”. The instances of breast cancer in a family, much like cardiac issues, lung cancer, etc., can generally be traced back to some ways to lifestyle. Lifestyles can be changed. With the technology available in nearly every home, in public libraries, schools, etc., we all have the tools at our disposal to be cognizant of the lifestyle changes WE can make to help change the medical history’s we carry around.

Most of the time when you see information about Thermography it is in reference to breast health.  Thermography or mammography, it’s all about one over the other. I disagree. I think educating everyone on the benefits and limitations of each, because they each do have their own benefits and limitations, will actually provide the information needed to help each person plan their own “health care plan”. So often the phrase “health care plan” is associated with what insurance will pay for; or a government program will provide for us. To me, a “health care plan” is what we are doing to make a difference in keeping ourselves as healthy as possible before we need medical intervention. Thermography is a good tool for that purpose. This technology is best used for early detection of a myriad of ailments. Issues such as thyroid dysfunction, immune system dysfunction, diabetes, cardiac issues, pain, infection, arthritis, etc., can all be detected in early stages and therefore “lifestyle changes” can be implemented to help either stall further symptoms or reverse the symptoms.

If you’re interested in finding out what’s going on in your body try a Thermographic scan. It’s like a report card for your body.

For more information or to book your appointment, please call 615-934-3121, email: info@bodybreastscans.com or go online and book yourself at www.bodybreastscans.com

Thermography: Can you say "Double Take?"

I often get asked “what exactly is a cancer”?

“Cancer is a group of diseases that cause cells in the body to change and grow out of control. Most types of cancer cells even­tually form a lump or mass called a tumor, and are named after the part of the body where the tumor originates.” This comes directly from The American Cancer Society.

Now that I have provided an explanation that may or may not answer the original question “what exactly is a cancer,” I would like to provide you with some information on the “cells” that make up cancer.

Cancer cells double in number on average every 90 days of their life. Given that knowledge, consider this: at 90 days of life there are 2 cells; at 2 years there are 256 cells; at 5 years there are 1,048,576 cells (this number is still undetectable by mammography); at 8 years of life there are 4,294,967,296 cells. These cells have doubled approximately 32 times to about 1cm in size and normally can be detected by traditional mammograms. I feel another number to share is this: 40 doublings, which happens over approximately 10 years is generally considered lethal.

Thermography Screening has the opportunity to detect changes at any stage in the development of cancer cells within the first year through the point when a tumor is dense enough to be seen with traditional mammography.

Thermography’s early detection of change can lead to a much earlier diagnosis and better treatment options as well as the opportunity for patients and their healthcare practitioners to intervene at an early stage with preventative treatment. I for one always opt for prevention over intervention.

If you would like additional information about Thermography and how it might apply to you specifically, or would like to schedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to call me.

Victoria Bailey, CCT, 615-934-3121, Breast Thermography of Middle TN; or visit our website at: www.bodybreastscans.com