| Thermographic Results:
The initial infrared thermograph (See initial thermograph - animal #5) revealed an increased thermal gradient over the thoracic, lumbar and lumbosacral spine. This thermograph was taken at a setting of 0.5 degrees centigrade per isothermic level. White is the highest reading and purple is the coldest or lowest level with a five-degree difference between them. These areas depicted by the color white were fairly symmetrical except within the lumbosacral area. In this anatomical area, there is an increased thermal gradient predominantly on the left side. These areas of white, gold and yellow reveal an increased thermal gradient within the tissues that is indicative of an inflammatory response within.
This particular animal (#5) was chosen as an example of the entire study since the response within this animal was close to the average of animals within the entire study. This animal also palpated digitally with a slight tenderness throughout the areas that are depicted by the color white.
After eight weeks of training without any treatment, the infrared thermograph of animal number five revealed the following comparisons to the initial thermograph. (See infrared thermograph - animal #5 - week 8) There is an increase within all of the thermal gradients as compared to the initial findings. The increased thermal gradients throughout the thoracic spine now continue into the right shoulder region. Those increased thermal gradients within the lumbar and lumbosacral areas have increased in intensity and are now more predominant on the left side continuing into the gluteal areas. These increases are due to a rigorous training schedule and are normal for an animal that is receiving no therapeutic help for this inflammation.
All ten of the animals that were in the control group depicted these types of thermographs for the first eight weeks of the study. They were all becoming increasingly sore and their thermographs all revealed increases along the lumbar and sacral spine.
Immediately after treatment with the Thermotex™ therapy blanket, there was a huge increase within the thermal gradients within the tissues. This increase lasted an average of four to five hours after the treatment was concluded. These thermographs were done before the initiation of the study just to establish a baseline of data. During the study, the animals were always exercised after their treatment, which also increased the thermal gradients found within the individual making the duration of effect impossible to measure.
The infrared thermograph taken of animal #5 at the conclusion of the study revealed large decreases within the thermal gradients along all of the anatomical areas examined. (See infrared thermograph - week 14) Within the lumbosacral spine area there is a remarkable 95% reduction within the thermal gradients. Clinically, this also corresponds to insensitivity upon digital palpation. The thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal areas also experienced a reduction within the thermal gradients to an extent of a 68% reduction. This area was also no longer sensitive to digital palpation.
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