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 there 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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