Frequently
Asked Questions about Colon Hydrotherapy What
is the colon?
The colon, or large intestine, is the final portion of the human digestive tract. The colon should normally be approximately 5 feet long and 2 to 3 inches in diameter in adults. It has many functions, but the most important are elimination of waste, fermentation and putrefaction of undigested foodstuffs, and conservation of water, minerals and electrolytes. The colon is also where we find
billions of bacteria, both friendly and unfriendly, which are capable
of having a positive or negative impact on our general health. The
friendly bacteria synthesise various vitamins (K and B principally),
as well as other beneficial substances known to nourish the cells
of the gut wall. Unfriendly bacteria (potential pathogens and pathogens)
produce toxic byproducts as the result of their metabolism, which
must be then detoxified. The key with microflora is balance, and
having good ratios of friendly to unfriendly bacterial species in
the colon. Waste material, especially that which has remained in the colon for some time, poses several problems. This material is composed of impacted faeces, dead cellular tissue, accumulated mucous, parasites, worms, etc. and is usually quite toxic. How toxic it is depends largely on the health of the individual concerned, their bowel history and their diet and dietary history. All blood from the bowel passes first through the liver via the portal circulation, where it is detoxified as much as possible. A toxic colon clearly gives the liver an increased work load, and may easily overwhelm the liver's ability to clear toxins from the portal blood. This results in an overspill of toxins into the bloodstream, as well as a liver which is overworked. When these poisons re-enter and circulate in the bloodstream, they may make us feel ill, toxic, tired, susceptible to illness and often quite weak. In addition, impacted material in the colon also interferes with normal microflora in the bowel, as well as directly reducing the ability of the colon to assimilate , water, bacterially-synthesised vitamins, minerals, and recycle digestive juices. This has many long and short term impacts on general health, as nutrtional status declines as a consequence. An impacted colon functions
poorly also in its ability to propel its contents. This occurs both
for reasons of direct chemical effects from the toxic material on
the musculature of the colon, as well as from the mere physical
presence of the material which directly inhibits muscular movements
to some degree. Anyone with a history of consuming a 'Western' diet, or one containing many refined or processed foods can benefit from colon cleansing and colonic hydrotherapy. A short list of conditions and complaints which can be helped or resolved in combination with colonic hydrotherapy can be found below. The importance of the
direct relationship between colon health and general health cannot
be over-emphasised. The two really
do go hand in hand. This condition is prevalent in all civilized societies, and particularly in the U.K. The UK has now become ranked as the world's most constipated nation. People that are constipated or have suffered regularly from this condition are almost guaranteed to have considerable impacted material in their colons. Common signs include: headaches, backaches, constipation, fatigue, bad breath, body odour, irritability, confusion, skin problems, abdominal gas, bloating, diarrhoea, sciatic pain, and so forth. The challenges to health from
increased colon toxicity are many and varied. This is because of
its very nature - increased toxic load on the body means that no
body system functions optimally. With the knowledge that in the UK we are the world's most constipated, then yes this is a common problem. In fact many people are constipated without realising it - just having regular bowel movements alone does not mean that one is not constipated. Toxic material can be deposited
in all tissues of the body, including the liver, lymphatic system,
bloodstream, joint spaces, muscles, arteries, fatty tissue, nervous
tissue etc. Colonics will not remove the material from these locations,
but they do help the liver to metabolise more internal toxins as
a result of reduced liver toxic load. The colon is not alone, but it is the principal route of bodily elimination. The kidneys, lungs and skin also serve important roles, and may also need assistance to enhance their function if general detoxification is sought. The colon is also a huge bacterial reservoir, where billions of both friendly and unfriendly bacteria serve to further process our partially digested food. Colonic hydrotherapy has been
found to be the most effective and efficient process available to
accomplish a reduction in bowel toxicity (and by extension body
toxicity) quickly, safely and easily. Neither of these are substitutes
for colonics. Enemas are useful for emptying the rectum and sigmoid
colon (the lowest 8 to 12 inches of the colon). They can be used
to get quite high in the colon with appropriate techniques (your
colonic therapist should be happy to teach you how if they think
it would be appropriate). Enemas come into their own when using
herbs or other additions to the enema water to have specific effects.
Many have heard of coffee enemas, popularised by the Gerson Therapy,
and which are used in integrated protocols to enhance liver elimination. Colonics are a very gentle process,
which allow for the methodical removal of impacted material in the
bowel. A colonic may use anything between 10 and 20 gallons of water
depending on the colonic equipment and the duration of treatment
- though there is usually only between 1 and 3 pints of water in
the colon at any time during the treatment. Through appropriate
use of massage, pressure points, etc., the colon therapist is able
to work loose and eliminate far more toxic waste than any other
short-term technique. Specifically, a colonic is used to accomplish the following: 1. Cleanse the Colon: Toxic material is broken down so it can no longer harm your body or inhibit assimilation and elimination. Even debris built up over a long period is gently, but surely removed in the process of a series of treatments. Once impacted material is removed, your colon can begin again to co-operate as it was intended to. In this very real sense a colonic is a rejuvenation treatment. 2. It Exercises the Colon Muscles: The build up of toxic debris weakens the colon and impairs its functioning. The gentle filling and emptying of the colon improves peristaltic (muscular contraction) activity by which the colon naturally moves material. Colonics are the only external method of exercising the colon musculature directly. 3. It Reshapes the Colon: When problem conditions exist in the colon, they tend to alter its shape which in turn causes more problems. The gentle action of the water, coupled with the massage techniques of the colon therapist helps to eliminate bulging pockets of waste and narrowed, spastic constrictions finally enabling the colon to resume its natural state. 4. It Stimulates Reflex Points:
Every system and organ of the body is connected to the colon by
reflex points colonic stimulates these points, thereby affecting
the corresponding body parts in a beneficial way. There are many side benefits to colonic hydrotherapy. This is for all the reasons mentioned above and more. Principally by encouraging elimination, reducing liver toxic load and reducing sluggisheness in the digestive tract colonics have important influences on toxic status. This has knock-on effects to all body systems through improved functioning. Any organ which is bathed in blood teeming with toxins will work at reduced efficiency. Even small reductions in the toxic loading of the bloodstream can have significant effects on your sense of general well-being. Working with a skilled therapist a colonic can be a truly enlightening educational process. You will learn to expand your awareness of your body's functioning by including signals from your abdomen, your skin, your face and even from that most taboo of natural products, your body's eliminations. You will find that you can spot the beginnings of developing conditions through clues from these body regions and functions before they become serious, and will learn natural ways to counteract them working in harmony with your body. Not only do colonics alleviate the constipation, they can assist you in creating a fully holistic view of your body's functioning, leading to a better quality of life. There is a huge amount of innervation
(nerve supply) to the bowel. Nervous tissue however is quite sensitive
to toxic irritants which tends to alter their electrical conductivity.
Direct toxic irritation to nervous tissue of the bowel inevitably
leads to altered function of the bowel as well as to remote parts
of the body through connections within both the central and autonomic
nervous systems. Healthy babies, animals and
adults not subjected to the "refinements" of civilization
(i.e. aboriginal peoples) have bowel movements shortly after each
meal is eaten. So, assuming there is sufficient fibre and water
available to the colon, one characteristic is a bowel movement shortly
after a meal is eaten. Once the urge to eliminate is honoured by
a trip to the toilet, the elimination should be easy and take no
more than a few seconds. The stool will be long, large in diameter,
light brown in colour, without offensive odour and should float
or sink very slowly. When the toilet is flushed, the stool immediately
begins breaking apart by the action of water movement. Due to the nature of what colonics are doing to the body, almost everybody could benefit from regular bowel cleansing regimens. These have as effect the massive reduction of toxic material from the body, as well as normalisation of bowel flora. The knock-on benefits from this run far and wide. If you have a digestive system
disorder or suffer from constipation or other bowel conditions,
you will certainly benefit from seeing a skilled and knowledgable
colonic hydrotherapist. Very rarely. There are frequently however moments within a colonic where you may experience some temporary and minor cramping as you bowel attempts to eliminate some of the waste which has been mobilised. Your therapist will keep you at ease if you experience any discomfort. the discomfort associated with
a colonic occurs not due to the action of a sensitive therapist,
but rather by your own bowel's activation against the released material.
Your body knows how toxic this material is, and when given the chance
to eliminate, it will seize the opportunity. This can result in
feelings of cramping and discomfort until your bowel rids itself
of this poisonous and neurologically irritating material. These
episodes are brief and usually easily tolerated. It should be remembered
that these feelings of discomfort also indicate that the colonic
is getting to the material we are attempting to remove: the oldest
and most toxic. No, you will fully maintain
your personal dignity. You will be in a private room with only your
therapist, who fully appreciates the sensitivity of the colonic
procedure and will help you feel at ease. Your emotions will be
acknowledged and honoured. After the gentle insertion of a small
tube into the rectum, you are completely covered. Rubber tubing
carries clean water in and waste out in a gravity pressured system.
The mess and odour sometimes present during an enema simply does
not exist with a colonic. Since your abdomen will be massaged
it is a good idea to eat or drink lightly in the 2 hours immediately
preceding a colonic. Also helpful, but not essential, emptying the
rectum with a bowel movement just prior to the colonic saves time
and permits more to be accomplished. Most likely, you'll feel great.
Probably you'll feel lighter and enjoy a sense of well-being. Not
infrequently, someone having their first colonic will remark that
it was one of the most wonderful experiences of their life. As soon
as the colonic is finished you can carry on with daily routine.
For some, the colonic may trigger several subsequent bowel movements
for the next few hours, but there won't be any uncontrollable urgency
or discomfort. It's also possible you may feel light-headed or chilled
for a few moments following a colonic. In a way, the answer to that
is a commentary on our present day lifestyle. Historically, artifacts
and records show that people have regularly purified their bodies,
including cleansing the colon. Around the turn of the 20th century,
the present-day colonic machine was developed, providing a significantly
improved method of accomplishing colon cleansing. Up to the late
1920's many doctors had colonic machines in their offices, and machines
were found in hospitals as well. Articles dealing with colon health
frequently appeared in prestigious medical and scientific journals
until the early 1930's. At that time modern man began a 50 year
love affair with drugs and surgery. These seemed to offer relatively
instant relief for body ailments, resulting in purification and
prevention techniques becoming less attractive. Recently, however,
there has been a resurgence of interest in using natural approaches
for healing the body, and colonics have rapidly been regaining the
respectability they have already earned. Being an essentially natural
process, there is virtually no danger with a colonic. Our intent
is to provide a safe and healthy service so that you do not have
to worry. Some of the mythical dangers of bowel perforation risk
are also virtually zero, especially if one is operating a gravity
fed colonic unit. Colonic machines present slightly higher theoretical
risks in that department, though in reality with a trained therapist,
this is also close to nil. These are important issues which
you should take up with your practitioner. All practitioners that
work under our auspices are well versed in aseptic technique and
are committed to absolute maintainance of clinical hygiene standards
in practice. this includes use of disposable colonic equipment,
plus use of rigorous protocols in terms of colonic unit sterilisation.
Strict glove changing protocols are also followed by our practitioners
to ensure no chance of cross-contamination. All bed linen and towels
are changed between patients. The colonic is a tool intended
to be used to create a clean and healthy colon. A colon therapist
who is dedicated to your health, will encourage you to set a goal
of having a well-functioning colon. Our fulfilment comes from assisting
you in healing your colon, not in making you dependent upon colonics.
Actually, one of its features is that a colonic can be used to tonify
the colon muscle so that the colon doesn't perform so sluggishly.
Many people have sluggish colons. It may take days for bowel movements
to return after a good colonic. This is when people think they are
becoming "dependent" on colonics. One good colonic is
worth 20 or so regular bowel movements, so it may take some time
for faecal material to build up in the colon once again if one has
a sluggish colon. The most frequent post-colonic
experience is to have a slight delay in bowel movements and then
a resumption of a somewhat larger, easier to move stool. Sometimes
if the colon is weak and sluggish, there may be no bowel movement
for several days following a colonic. However this is not due to
the colonic, but rather to the weakness of the colon, and should
be interpreted as an indication that the colon requires strengthening
and healing. Very infrequently diarrhoea or loose bowels may be
experienced. This could be due to the extra water introduced into
the colon or to the stirring up of toxic waste. If this should occur,
it is usually of very short duration. However, since severe diarrhoea
dehydrates the body, it must be carefully monitored. We want to state that constipation
can be successfully treated with natural, harmless techniques, including
the use of colonics. Constipation is one of what may be termed "civilized
man's diseases". There are three factors involved in having
a well functioning colon: diet, exercise and attitude. All three
must be in balance for the colon to function well. Often, however,
because the colon has been sluggish for so long, it has become severely
weakened due to being constantly bathed in toxic waste, stretched
from holding excessive amount of stools, and frequently, constricted
by chronic tension in the colon. The process of colonic hydrotherapy
is excellent for cleansing and healing the colon sufficiently so
that changes in diet, exercise, and attitude are then able to produce
their effects. Many people find the relief provided by colonics
stimulates the motivation and enthusiasm to institute positive changes
in their lifestyle. The truth is that the washing
out of putrefied material in the large intestine, increases the
good intestinal flora. Good bacteria can only breed in a clean environment
which has been washed free of putrefaction and its accompanying
harmful bacteria. This is why the intestines of a new born baby
immediately begin to grow good intestinal flora. Each time you clean
out the putrefying rubbish and make a better environment for the
good flora, they start to multiply immediately in their natural
media. It also stands to reason that valuable nutrients can better
be absorbed in a clean environment than in a putrefied one. The removal of stagnant waste
material and hardened, impacted toxic residue could rejuvenate the
immune tissue that resides in the intestines. Recent European studies
speculate that 80% of immune tissue resides in the intestines. This
is much higher than previously thought and makes it logical to believe
that this type of therapy could influence such immune deficiency
diseases as M.E. cancer and A.I.D.S. Colon Hydrotherapy is not a
cure-all, but an important adjunctive therapy in the overall health
care of the client. Duration of treatment is somewhat
variable. A colonic treatment could last anywhere between 30 and
75 minutes depending on the patient and condition in question and
the therapist. Most treatments take between 45 and 60 minutes. We use highly filtered water,
which passes through three seperate filters before being heated
to the correct temperature. This kind of water is capable of absorbing
and flushing more toxins out of the colon because of its drawing
effect on solid particles, chemicals and other matter. Tap water
is not used because it already has numerous chemicals and inorganic
substances present. We suggest that you eat at your
normal meal time, and consume a moderate amount of whatever seems
gentle and nourishing to you. Just as it doesn't make sense to have
you car cleaned and then immediately drive it through mud, eating
a meal known to cause trouble in your abdomen directly after a colonic
isn't an intelligent choice. Salads, vegetable soups or broths,
fruit, or juices are the best choice. Almost never. Firstly, many
of us have a considerable amount of impacted faeces in our colon.
This is hardened, rubbery or wallpaper like material. Substantial
work must be done to remove it. Secondly, there is a subtle learning
process involved in receiving colonics. As you become more aware
of what is going on in your abdomen, and as your body learns how
to allow the cleansing experience, you are better able to enter
into that process, and therefore more material is released. One
colonic will remove some of the stagnant waste in the colon. The
second and subsequent colonics will remove more. How many you may
wish to have will depend upon your personal objectives. It will probably never be completely
empty, as its an organ in continuous use. As more of the old impacted
material is released you will actually feel the water enter higher
regions of the colon without any sense of obstruction. The objective
should not be an empty colon, but rather a well functioning colon. Your skin actually "breathes" and is an important organ of elimination of waste material. Sometimes, if the colon, liver or kidneys are functioning poorly, the skin will be required to make up the difference. Surface eruptions on the skin of various sorts may occur due to toxins being released. Cleansing and healing the colon diminishes the burden placed upon the skin as well as the other organs of elimination: lungs, liver and kidneys. As elimination is accomplished through its proper channels, the skin will very often clear up. |