Most Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
Colon Hydrotherapy
- Is it safe?
Yes. The colonic equipment used today is FDA approved. All tubing is
disposable and the water filtration system is state of the art,
removing all toxins, microorganisms and chlorine from the water. All of
our therapists are certified by the International Association of Colon
Hydrotherapists at http://www.i-act.org.
- Does it hurt?
No. In fact most people are very pleasantly surprised at how relaxing
and comfortable a colonic treatment is. The only discomfort one may
experience during a colonic is some crampiness which is the result of
the peristaltic action (muscular contractions) of the colon. This is a
healthy sign telling us that the colon is working, doing its job to
move waste out of the body.
- How does a colon
hydrotherapy treatment compare with an enema?
An enema is a home administered treatment, useful when you cannot get
in for a colonic. The water from an enema directly reaches and cleanses
the lowest part (6-8 inches) of the large intestine (colon). A colon
hydrotherapy session allows water to reach and clean the entire 5-6
feet of the colon. According to Dr. Norman Walker, one of the original
Medical advocates of colon cleansing, “One colonic irrigation
is equivalent to 30 enemas.”
- How much of
the intestines are actually cleansed during a colon hydrotherapy
session?
During a treatment it is possible for a professional colon therapist to
cleanse the entire length of the colon. The small intestine is not
directly cleansed by the water of a colonic because of the presence of
the ileo-cecal valve. The ileo-cecal valve is a one-way valve which
does not allow water or waste to pass from the large intestine back to
the small intestine. Although we do find that some waste from the small
intestine will release during a colonic, to specifically address
cleansing the small intestine an oral form of cleansing, using herbs,
is necessary. Talk to us for more details.
- Should I see my doctor
before my first colon hydrotherapy session and are there any
contra-indications for doing treatments?
If you have a concern about your health or the appropriateness of colon
hydrotherapy you should consult a doctor.
Indications
and Contra-Indications for Colon Hydrotherapy:
Indications for Colon Hydrotherapy
The history and physical examination of the patient (by his/her
physician) would dictate the need for colon hydrotherapy in the overall
treatment plan. Colon hydrotherapy has been shown to be beneficial for
the following conditions:
Acute Fecal Impaction
Constipation
Colitis
Diarrhea
Parasitic Infection
Atonic Colon (loss of muscle tone)
Mucous Colitis
Fever Therapy
Hyper/Hypothermia
Abdominal Distention/ Bloating/Flatulence
Intestinal Toxemia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Leaky Gut
Diverticulosis
Prevention
Balance Physiologic Flora of Colon (Friendly Bacteria)
Preparation of diagnostic study of the large intestine
Preparation for a Barium Enema
Preparation for a Sigmoidoscopy
Preparation for a Colonoscopy
Prior to Surgery
Hemorrhoids (present but not currently inflamed)
Nutrient Supplementation via Rectum
Indications under prescription
and direct physician supervision
Diverticulitis
Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s Disease
On site Preparation following Trauma
Early Pregnancy (up to four months)
Contra-Indications for Colon
Hydrotherapy
Severe Cardiac Disease (uncontrolled hypertension of congestive heart
failure)
Aneurysm
Severe Anemia
GI Hemorrhage/perforation
Severe Hemorrhoids
Cirrhosis
Carcinoma of the Colon (Colon Cancer)
Fissures/Fistulas
Advanced Pregnancy
Abdominal Hernia
Recent Colon Surgery
Renal Insufficiency
- What about
the insertion of the tubing (speculum)? Does that hurt and how far into
the body does it go?
Unlike many years ago when colon therapists attempted to insert the
tubing very deep or high into the colon, hence the name “High
Colonics”, today the rounded, lubricated tube is gently
inserted only 1-2 inches into the colon. Most of our clients do their
own insertion and the therapist will then set it in just the right
place and connect all the tubes for an easy, effective treatment.
And no, the insertion doesn’t hurt although it may feel a bit
odd the first time.
- Is there any possibility
of bacterial or viral contamination from prior use of the colon
hydrotherapy machine or tubing?
Our modern FDA approved colon hydrotherapy equipment utilizes
pre-sterilized, disposable tubing and speculums. These disposables are
used only once during a single therapy session. Properly administered,
there is absolutely no danger of contamination. There is state-of
the-art water filtration and the machine is high temperature cleaned
and disinfected after each use.
- How about the treatment
itself? What is it like and what will I feel?
During the treatment you are lying comfortably on a plush massage
table, propped up and covered at all times. The process is one of
gently filling the colon with water which may last from 30 seconds to 5
minutes or more. Each fill time will be different. The water coming
into the body enters so gently that you can hardly feel it. During the
fill cycle you may feel a little rumbling in your tummy or gassy or
crampy or you may feel relaxed and peaceful. Many of our clients report
that the most relaxing time of their entire week is when they come in
for their colonic. Whatever you are feeling during your treatment is
perfect. Any sensations are signs that the water is doing its job of
loosening and softening accumulated waste in the colon. Remember, the
colon is a muscular system and moves waste out of the body by a series
of muscular contractions known as peristaltic action. When you feel
crampy during a colonic treatment your colon is getting ready to move
waste out of the body. The crampiness may feel a bit uncomfortable but
it is a sign that the colon is doing exactly what we want it to do and
that is to move waste out.
People with a history of constipation have, for whatever reason, lost
some or all of their peristaltic action. Our job as therapists is to
help the muscular system of the colon regain its ability to contract
which makes for regular, easy bowel movements.
- Is it possible to
rebuild my colon after years of constipation and laxative use so that I
can go to the bathroom regularly again?
First of all, regular, long term use of laxatives can destroy the nerve
endings that innervate the colon allowing for strong peristaltic action
and easy bowel movements. Laxatives (even herbal laxatives like Cascara
Sagrada, Senna, Turkey Rhubarb or various forms of Aloe) are all
irritants to the colon. The colon perceives them as irritants and will
force contractions of the colon to get rid of the irritant and at the
same time and almost by default move stool out of the body. When the
nerve endings are destroyed through long term use of laxatives the
colon becomes exhausted and sluggish and often requires greater potency
and frequency of laxatives to get the bowels moving. Our goal is to
help break the cycle of laxative dependency and allow a person to move
their bowels without the use of laxatives.
To accomplish this challenging goal we need to come at it from a number
of different angles. Your willingness to work together with us on a
consistent basis will pay off.
The Five Essential Steps to Regaining
Healthy Bowel Function are:
a. Colonics-
the first step is to thoroughly clean out the old waste of the colon.
With old debris still present it is difficult for the colon to work at
its maximum efficiency. Be prepared to do a series of 12 or more
colonics. Regular colonics over time helps to rebuild the peristaltic
action of the colon.
b. Restore
a healthy environment in the colon. We may suggest the use of a
probiotic (friendly bacteria) or a "Colon
Reflorastion" process- an implant of 21 strains of highly
viable, living, beneficial bacteria directly into the colon. See
separate page for a full description of the Reflorastation process. We
may also recommend the use of a fiber supplement to loosen old
accumulated waste and stimulate the peristaltic action of the colon.
c. Diet-
We will address diet and its vital importance to colon health and
assess how your diet is either helping or hurting your progress.
d. Exercise-
exercise increases metabolism. A sluggish colon can be a sign of a
slowed down metabolism. We will not only look at the possible causes of
a sluggish metabolism but ways to help increase its efficiency.
Exercise is one important step.
e. Emotions and
Stress- these two factors alone play a crucial role in the
health and vitality of your whole being let alone the health and
vitality of your colon. The colon represents the ability to
“Let Go”. Or, “What are you holding on
to”? For those who are willing to look at these aspects of
themselves this can make a huge difference!
- How do I prepare for a
Colonic?
The simplest way is to refrain from eating or drinking for two hours
prior to your treatment. For those who want to do a more involved
preparation, others options such as juicing, fasting or an herbal
cleansing program can be helpful. Anything you do to put your body in a
cleansing mode can be beneficial but not essential. If you
haven’t begun any special preparation and are confused as to
where to start then just do the simple preparation and come in for your
first colonic and we will discuss the many options for deeper
cleansing.
Other than that, keep breathing, relax as best you can and keep a
positive, upbeat attitude. Remember, coming in for your first colonic
can be a little scary. We all went through that. You will do great and
remember the gift you are offering to your body is profound!
- What are some
other ways to cleanse?
We always recommend starting your cleansing program with cleaning the
colon through colonics. After that or in conjunction with your series
of colonics we may recommend doing a deeper herbal cleanse which
addresses the entire body or focuses on specific conditions like heavy
metal toxicity or specific organs like the liver. We have for instance,
a number of excellent cleanses to support detoxifying and rebuilding
the liver. We also have cleanses that support the elimination of
parasites, yeast (Candida), heavy metals, etc. (See Products page). New
to our clinic is a Far
Infra-Red Sauna that you can sit in for 20 to 30 minutes
before your colonic to stimulate the release of heavy metals and other
toxins from the body. This is a very powerful detoxification method and
when combined with colonics is highly beneficial.
- How long do
treatments take?
Actual treatment time can be between 35-50 minutes usually averaging 45
minutes. Total treatment time with changing and finishing in the
bathroom is one hour.
- Does having a
menstrual period at the time of a colonic session have any adverse
effect on the treatment?
No, in fact it is usually an excellent time to receive a treatment,
since your body is already cleansing. Your flow will not interfere with
the success of the treatment. Wear a tampon if you like.
- What are the specific
benefits of Colon Hydrotherapy?
The top four are:
a- It aids in the release of
toxins and fecal matter from the gastrointestinal tract
b- Cleanses the blood
c- Jump starts and empowers
the immune system
d- Helps to restore the
proper ph balance in the colon and the body
- Do I need to take
acidophilus or any other form of good bacteria after a colon cleansing
because intestinal flora (the good stuff) has been washed out of the
colon?
Prior to treatments our bodies are generally so toxic that it is
questionable how much good bacteria has survived and is present in the
gut.
We usually recommend taking some form of “friendly
bacteria” following a treatment but not because the treatment
washes out intestinal flora. Colon hydrotherapy treatments do not wash
out intestinal flora. Taking acidophilus subsequent to a treatment is
beneficial because is helps to improve the bacterial balance and the ph
in the colon. The best method is to implant the flora rectally after
your last session (See Colon
Reflorastation).
- Will I experience any
intestinal discomfort or fatigue after my treatment?
Usually not, but since the cleansing will stir up a lot of old debris
and toxins, you might experience some minor symptoms of residual
cleansing such as fatigue, nausea, headache, cramps, bloating, etc. If
you can rest for a short while after a colonic that is recommended but
most people feel fine and continue on with their day. If you wish,
drinking herb tea or broth can be very soothing. Any discomfort will
usually pass within a few hours.
- Can I go to work after
a colonic?
Yes you can absolutely go to work after a colonic.
- How do I best support
my colonic treatments?
Follow any recommendations we might have for you regarding specific
supplements or dietary suggestions. Also drink lots of filtered,
purified water and avoid processed foods and drink.
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