Thermography 101: A Proactive Approach to Breast and Whole-Body Health

We do so much to take care of our health, from yearly checkups to daily nutrition. Many of us also take advantage of new technologies the modern world has to offer — like thermography — to help keep our bodies in the best condition possible.

I’ve found thermography to be an incredible, safe tool that provides unique insights into what our bodies are trying to tell us. And it does so without causing discomfort or distress.

For these reasons and more, I became a clinical thermographer and opened Sozo Thermography in 2019. I’m passionate about helping women (and men!) understand what their bodies are saying, so let’s talk about what thermography is, who might benefit from a scan, and how it can help.

What Is Thermography?

Thermography is a safe, non-invasive imaging method that uses an infrared camera to record the body’s surface temperatures. By illuminating patterns of increased blood flow and inflammation, these thermal readings give us a window into the body’s internal landscape.

Since almost anything growing in the body — whether healthy or unhealthy — needs blood to grow, thermography allows us to detect areas of concern simply by seeing how blood is moving through tissues.

Another of thermography’s useful features goes beyond looking for growths; it also detects inflammation. Inflammation is the precursor to almost every kind of disease, so when we see patterns of unusual heat, we get an early look at what may be brewing below the surface. We then have the opportunity to take action before a bigger issue develops.

Further, thermography can help identify congestion in the lymphatic system. Lymph movement in the underarm area, in particular, is especially crucial for breast health. When these lymph nodes become congested, they block the majority of lymphatic drainage from the breasts, potentially causing problems.

Thermography can also spot cortisol overload in the skin. While this doesn’t tell us the cause of that stress — toxins, hormone imbalance, overwhelming emotions, other factors — it lets us know we need to investigate and make some kind of change.

Your Whole Body Is Connected

One of the things I love most about thermography is how it takes advantage of the deep interconnectedness of the human body. In traditional specialties, which address distinct body areas in separation, these connections are often missed. But thermography gives us a way to trace those internal links and support healing from a whole-body perspective.

A dental issue, for example, may show up as inflammation in the thyroid or breast tissue. If you resolve the dental issue, we often see those other areas improve too.

Why Get a Thermography Scan?

Thermography is one of many technologies available today for visualizing what’s going on inside the body. With so many options available, how does thermography stand out in the crowd?

These are some of the unique factors that make thermography unique:

• Completely Safe: There’s no radiation involved, so thermography won’t mess with your DNA in any way.
• Non-Invasive: Thermography involves no poking or prodding — in fact, no touching! You simply stand behind a divider while the machine takes thermal pictures.
• Won’t Aggravate Existing Issues: If you’re already dealing with pain or inflammation, thermography won’t make anything worse.
• Proactive Approach: Thermography provides opportunities for improving wellness, not just visualizing what’s already going on.

That last one is perhaps most important. While other imaging methods look at existing structures that are already built, thermography looks at what your body is building. In other words, thermography shows you how your body is working today and where that might lead in the future.

Thermography represents a complete mindset shift in the world of scans and screenings. In the traditional approach, we live our lives in the dark, eventually get screened, and hope nothing scary shows up. If it does, we treat it.

Thermography offers a less reactive, more preventative approach. With thermography, we can ferret out the precursors to problems and address them before they become serious.

When Should You Get a Thermography Scan?

I encourage women to start getting thermography scans early — ideally before their first pregnancy. This gives us a solid baseline for comparison in the future, before the body gets overloaded with the stresses of life, toxins, or hormonal shifts.

After that, annual scans are a great way to stay on top of what’s happening in your body over time.

Can You Get a Thermography Scan During Pregnancy?

While thermography is perfectly safe during pregnancy (and breastfeeding!), the increased blood flow makes scans more difficult to interpret.

During pregnancy, I’ll still perform scans up until about six months, when the increased blood flow really starts to interfere. For breast scans, I usually recommend waiting about four months after you’ve finished nursing before coming in again for an accurate image.

That said, if you’re experiencing a concern, I suggest you come in anyway. The scan is completely safe, and if something significant is happening, we’ll be able to see it even with the increased blood flow.

What Thermography Can — and Can’t — Do

Thermography isn’t a diagnostic tool, and it doesn’t diagnose cancer. No scan does. Only a biopsy can diagnose cancer.

What thermography can do is look for anything that isn’t in line with overall health. It reveals patterns that may point to imbalance or inflammation, which we can then address through lifestyle coaching or by referring you to the right professionals.

Thermography helps us evaluate:

• Hormone regulation
• Stress levels
• Breast health
• Dental health
• Thyroid function
• Liver health
• Digestive wellness
• Circulation patterns
• Blood sugar regulation

Thermography is so valuable for seeing what’s happening under the surface, often before symptoms arise. But it’s important to note that some conditions, like certain ductal carcinomas, may not show up clearly in a thermography scan because they don’t draw blood to themselves. Thermography is one tool — but not the only tool.

Common Findings and Simple Solutions

In my practice, I see three main patterns come up again and again. Fortunately, most people can address them with simple solutions.

• Armpit Toxic Load: Often from poor-quality or toxic deodorants. The solution? Switch to a better deodorant, do an armpit detox with apple cider vinegar and bentonite clay, and try some lymphatic massage.
• Underarm Lymphatic Congestion: Could be from deodorant or lack of movement. Try dry brushing or gentle lymphatic massage with your hands. And, most importantly, move your body. This could be as simple as setting a timer and walking for 10 minutes or doing some intentional stretching.
• Low Immune Function: When I see this pattern, I recommend three simple practices: Get your feet on the earth, get your eyes on the sun, and prioritize good sleep. These aren’t new ideas, but they’re effective!

What to Expect at Your Thermography Scan

Your thermography appointment will be relaxed and comfortable. We’ll start by talking about your health history, then you’ll undress in private.

Depending on what areas we’re scanning, you might remove your shirt and bra, or sometimes pants as well (underwear stays on). You’ll need to remove all jewelry and put your hair up completely, with no stray hairs.

For accurate results, you’ll need to avoid eating or drinking hot or cold beverages for a couple hours before your appointment. Also skip acupuncture, chiropractic work, saunas, and cold plunges for 24 hours beforehand.

We’ll take the pictures together, then look at them and discuss what we’re seeing. I’ll send everything to an interpreting physician who provides additional medical insights, and you’ll receive that report by mail or email.

For breast health specifically, I usually recommend a follow-up scan in three to six months to establish a good baseline and see any changes since your first visit.

Thermography: Why I Love This Work

Having struggled with my own health concerns in the past, I understand how important it is to have healthcare resources you can trust and who put your well-being first. Thermography allows me to offer that to others.

To make thermography more accessible, I travel to several locations in Tennessee, and I offer health coaching alongside the scans. I’m also happy to review images from other thermography providers and offer lifestyle support based on those findings. While I don’t give second opinions in a medical sense, I do believe that empowering people with good information and gentle, actionable care can make powerful changes in their health.

If you’re curious about thermography or want to schedule a scan, you can visit the Sozo Thermography website. I’d love to support you in listening to your body — and learning from what it has to say.