When you arrive, we’ll take you back to our scan room where you’ll be given a gown to change into. This will allow your body to adjust to the temperature of the room. For a Breast Study, you’ll remove your clothing from the waist up, along with all jewelry. We’ll also provide a rubber band for your hair if we need to have you pull your hair up. For a Full Body or Health Study, we’ll ask you to remove all jewelry and clothing, except your underwear.
After you have changed, your thermographer will review the forms that you brought in, ensuring that we accurately understand what you’ve written. We’ll also ask about any areas of concern that you might have. Your thermography session will involve taking several images and your clothing will need to be removed while the images are taken. During this time, we will need you to be very still while the image is taken but you will be able to relax between scans.
Please understand that any interpretation or information about what we “see” will come in your written report from our medical doctors who will interpret the images.
How long will my appointment last?
The length of your appointment will be determined by what type of study you choose. A Breast Study takes approximately 15-20 minutes, a Women's Health Study takes approximately 30-40 minutes, and a Full Body Study takes approximately 40-50 minutes.
How will I receive my results?
You will receive your report via email approximately 2-4 days after your appointment. The report will include all of the images taken, along with a written report from our interpreting doctor.
Once you have received your report, we are available to review this with you to make sure that you understand the report. You are more than welcome to contact us to schedule this review.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is thermal imaging used for?
Most of our patients come for breast imaging, but thermography is useful for much more. It can:
Aid in early detection of abnormal temperature changes
Help identify causes of pain
Evaluate sensory nerve irritation or significant soft tissue injury
Support in defining a previously diagnosed injury or condition
Identify areas that may need further diagnostic testing -
Does a scan hurt?
Not at all! There’s no contact with your body and no uncomfortable breast compression. -
What makes our thermography different?
We use a Class 1, FDA-cleared medical camera (510(k) clearance number K003332). Unlike many clinics that use modified industrial devices, our camera was designed specifically for medical use. It:
Measures temperature to within 1/100 of a degree
Captures over 80,000 temperature points per image
Detects the smallest subtleties within an 8-degree range
Is calibrated to eliminate thermal drift and lacks the infrared-blocking lens of industrial cameras
Simply put—it’s the most advanced and accurate camera available for medical thermography. -
How long does the appointment take?
Breast Thermography: about 20 minutes
Upper Body Thermography: about 30 minutes
Full Body Thermography: about 45 minutes -
How can I make an appointment?
Call us at 760-519-0038. If we’re with a patient and you reach our voicemail, please leave your information—we’ll call you back as soon as possible. -
Do I need a referral?
No referral is required. While many patients are referred by practitioners, anyone can schedule directly. -
How far in advance should I schedule?
Flexible schedule: often within a few days
Out-of-town or specific date needed: call at least a week ahead so we can accommodate you -
How will I receive my report?
Reports are typically emailed within 2-3 business days. If you have any questions about your report, we can set a complementary call to go over your report over the phone. -
Who interprets my scan?
All images are read by MDs certified by the only non-profit thermography medical board in the U.S. Our technicians are trained by the American College of Clinical Thermology. -
Does insurance cover thermography?
Currently, most insurance companies do not cover thermography. Payment is due at the time of service. We take all cards, cash, check and Venmo. -
How much does it cost?
Breast Scan: $285
Upper body (includes breasts): $325
Full body (includes breasts): $425 -
Will a thermogram tell me if I have cancer?
Thermography detects areas of dysfunction through heat patterns, often much earlier than other imaging, since temperature change is one of the first signs of disease. No imaging test—thermography, mammogram, MRI, or X-ray—can diagnose cancer. Only a biopsy can confirm a cancer diagnosis. -
Is breast thermography safe during pregnancy or nursing?
Yes! Infrared thermography is 100% safe—non-invasive, no radiation, no compression. However, thermography is not recommended during pregnancy or lactation, but we can do a breast ultrasound. Please call us with any specific concerns. -
What is the difference of thermography vs ultrasound?
Thermography and ultrasound work on different principles but complement each other very well.
Thermography detects physiological changes (inflammation, heat patterns, underarm areas)
Ultrasound shows anatomical (structure) changes (density, calcifications, tumors)
Both are valuable, but thermography often reveals issues earlier. -
What are the advantages of thermography?
Thermography produces heat maps showing blood flow and physiology.
Not limited by dense breast tissue (common in women under 50)
Detects changes earlier than many other imaging methods -
How often should I have breast thermography?
We recommend once a year for ongoing monitoring. -
What locations do you have.
We currently have offices in Carlsbad, Murrieta, Fallbrook and Redlands.
