Do you have questions about colon hygiene therapy?
What is Colon Therapy?
Also known as a “colonic”, “colon lavage”, colon irrigation”, or “high colonic”, colonic hydrotherapy is a safe, effective method of removing waste material from the large intestine by repeated, gentle flushing with water. By introducing filtered water into the colon, the waste is softened and loosened resulting in evacuation through natural peristalsis. The removal of waste encourages better colon function and elimination.
What is the Colon?
The colon, or large intestine, is the end portion of the human digestive tract (food carrying passageway extending from the mouth to the anus). The colon is approximately 5 feet long and 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Its major functions are to eliminate waste and to conserve water. Also, there are bacteria living in the colon, which synthesize valuable nutrients such as vitamins “K” and portions of the vitamin “B” complex.
What is the purpose of having a colonic?
Waste material, dead cellular tissue, accumulated mucous, parasites, and toxic waste can accumulate in a sluggish colon and can impair the colon’s ability to assimilate minerals and bacteria- produced vitamins. A buildup of material on the colon wall can inhibit muscular action causing sluggish bowel movements and constipation.
But the colon isn't the only organ of elimination, what makes the colonic so important?
While the lungs, skin, kidneys and liver also serve to eliminate toxins, people have experienced throughout history that when they ensure that the colon is cleansed and healed, the well-being of the whole body is enhanced. Colonics have been found to be a very effective process to accomplish this quickly and easily.
It appears to be important to cleanse the colon, but why not use enemas, suppositories or laxatives instead?
Everything has its proper place, but those things really aren’t substitutes for colon hydrotherapy. Enemas are useful for emptying only the rectum (the lowest 8 to 12 inches of the colon). Usually, one or two pints of water are used to do that. Suppositories are intended to accomplish the same task. Laxatives, particularly herbal laxatives, are formulated for a variety of purposes, such as dealing with the effects of constipation and building up the tone of the colon muscles. But the “Rolls Royce” of colon cleansing without question is colonic hydrotherapy.
It sounds like a colonic may be good for me, but will it be painful?
It rarely is. Usually, painful experiences are the result of resistance and tension. A professional colon therapist is skilled at putting you at ease and minimizing discomfort. Most people actually enjoy the colonic and are especially pleased with the sensation of feeling lighter, cleaner, and clearer afterward.
What is a Colon Hydrotherapy session like?
A session is a comfortable experience for most people, however, if discomfort is experienced, the session can be stopped at any time. Techniques utilized allow a small amount of water to flow into the colon, gently stimulating the colon’s natural peristaltic action to release softened waste. The inflow of a small amount of water is continually repeated over a period of approximately 35 minutes. Is it embarrassing to have a colonic? You will fully maintain your personal dignity. You will be in a private room with only your therapist coming in and out. Your therapist fully appreciates the sensitivity of the colonic procedure and will help you feel at ease. Your feelings will be acknowledged and honored. After you insert a small tube into your rectum you will completely covered through the entirety of the procedure.
What about sanitation?
We use the Libbe system (open system) which is manufactured with strict compliance to federal guidelines and is state of the art in the industry. Disposable single-use rectal tubes are used on each client as well as clean linen.
Is there anything I need to do to get ready for a colonic?
You will get more from your colonic if your body is hydrated. Please drink plenty of water in the 3-6 hours before you come in. We also suggest not eating within 2 hours of coming, a snack is OK.
And what can I expect afterwards?
Most likely, you’ll feel great. Most people actually enjoy the colonic and are especially pleased with the sensation of feeling lighter, cleaner, and clearer afterward. It’s also possible you may feel light-headed or chilled for a few moments following or during a colonic. 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. Most people do not eliminate again until the next day and in quite a few cases, 2-5 days later. That’s what we call transit. Transit is how long it takes matter to fill the gut so that one has a bowel movement again. Most people do not have peristalsis or the natural expansion and contraction of the gut muscles. Most guts work on gravity, one meal pushes the next one around and eventually one poops again. For many, it takes a few days to fill up.
It’s better if one can have an elimination cycle of 24 hours however that’s not case in most people. The colon serves as a storage tank rather than a pulsating muscle system working efficiently. Colon hydrotherapy helps to stimulate and train peristalsis.
If colonics are so good, why haven't I heard about them before?
In a way, the answer 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 love affair with drugs and surgery, which seemed to offer instant relief for body ailments. Purification and prevention techniques became less attractive. Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in using natural approaches for healing the body, and colonics have rapidly been regaining the respectability they had earned earlier.
Are colonics dangerous in any way?
Being an essentially natural process, there is virtually no danger with a colonic. Having said that, there are certain contraindications where a colonic would not be advisable and they are listed at the bottom of this section. Our intent is to provide a safe and healthy service so that you do not have to worry. Cleaning and sterilization of the necessary equipment is done as normal procedure.
Are colonic's habit forming?
The colonic is a tool intended to be used occasionally. Initially a series of colonics may be recommended. A colon therapist, who is dedicated to your health, will Educate you on the tools available to create a well-functioning colon and not in making you dependent upon colonics. Many people have sluggish colons and it may take days for bowel movements to return after a good colonic. This is when people think they are becoming “dependent” on colonics. It may take some time for fecal material to build up in the colon once again if one has a sluggish colon.
Will a colonic make me constipated or give me diarrhea?
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. If the colon is 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 probably more fiber. Very infrequently diarrhea 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.
Suppose I have been suffering from constipation for a long time, will colonics help?
Constipation can be successfully managed with natural, harmless techniques, including the use of colonics. Often, however, because the colon has been sluggish for so long, it has become 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 the colon sufficiently so that changes in diet, exercise, and attitude are then able to produce their positive effects. Many people find the relief provided by colonics stimulates the motivation and enthusiasm to institute positive changes in their lifestyle.
How long does a colonic take?
Probably 90% of all colonics take about 45 minutes. There will also be about 10 minutes required before your first colonic for the therapist to go over your health history and explain the procedure, another 5 minutes should be allowed for changing. On a first colonic you should allow an hour.
Is there a special kind of water used for colonic hydrotherapy?
We use filtered water, which passes through two separate filters. The water used is approximately 100 degrees F.
Will it be okay to eat after having a colonic?
We suggest that you eat at your normal mealtime, and consume a moderate amount of whatever seems gentle and nourishing to you. Just as it doesn’t make sense to have your car cleaned and then immediately drive it through mud, eating a meal known to cause trouble for your digestion directly after a colonic isn’t a recommended choice.
How will I know when the colon is empty?
It will probably never be completely empty, as it is an organ in continuous use. As more of the old 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 to encourage a better functioning colon.
Will a colonic clear up my skin?
Your skin “breathes” and is an important organ of elimination. If the colon, liver or kidneys are functioning poorly, the skin will be required to make up the difference. Eruptions on the skin of various sorts may occur due to toxins being released. Cleansing the colon diminishes the burden placed upon the skin and it very often clears up.
Contraindications for use of Colon Hydrotherapy
- Congestive heart failure
- Severe hemorrhoids
- Abdominal hernia
- Renal insufficiency
- Colon or rectal surgery
- Cirrhosis of liver
- Abdominal surgery
- Intestinal perforation
- Carcinoma of the rectum
- Fissures or fistula