Advances in Paraspinal Thermographic Analysis

Basic theory and common practice in temperature-based chiropractic assessment procedures and instrumentation are reviewed. Segmental spinal thermoregulatory function is presented as a refining mechanism for hypothalamic core-temperature control. Spinal nerve-cell-body function is suggested as the primary mechanism responsible for the asymmetries and anomalies commonly observed in paraspinal and other thermograms. Paraspinal cutaneous thermal asymmetries and anomalies are shown to be suggestive of various pathophysio-logical alterations, and in particular, the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC). Scientific hypotheses and experimental data relevant to historical and present diagnostic paraspinal thermography are presented, along with a review of representative instrumentation. The potential impact on chiropractic of these postulations, and of newly available, high-precision, computerized spotradiometry (spot infrared thermography) is examined.