Colon Hydrotherapy FAQ
1. What is the colon and why is a healthy colon so important?
The colon is the last five feet of the digestive tract or large intestines. It is a hollow tube like organ made up of muscle structure that moves digested food and waste along by a wavelike motion known as peristalsis. The primary function of the colon is to absorb water, electrolytes and some vitamins, as well as, preparing and storing fecal waste prior to elimination. The colon, along with the skin, kidneys and lungs, is a major organ of elimination of toxins and waste. If bowel movements are not regular, the waste products and toxins accumulate and can compromise our health. Good health is as much a function of our elimination status as the quality of food we eat. Consider that over 400 million dollars are spent annually on laxatives in the United States. Every year 140,000 Americans are diagnosed as having colon-rectal cancer. Of this population, 44% will die as a result of the disease. At least two million Americans suffer from colitis, ileitis, diverticulitis and 100,000 Americans have a colostomy each year. Periodic cleansing of the colon could prevent stagnation and minimize the exposure to potential cancer causing agents to the colon wall.
2. What is colon hydrotherapy?
Colon hydrotherapy is referred to as colon irrigation, colonics, colon therapy or high enemas. Regardless of the name, they all refer to the use of water for internal cleansing of the colon (large intestines), without the use of drugs or chemicals
3. Will laxatives of enemas accomplish the same results as colon hydrotherapy?
Laxatives are considered to be an irritant and stimulant to the body. It simply draws water from the body and produces a thin watery substance that clears only the most recently digested wasted from the colon and leaves behind the impacted waste on the colon walls. Enemas are fine to clean out the lower part of the rectum and colon, but miss about four feet of colon. Additionally, the use of over the counter and herbal laxatives on a regular basis eventually interferes with the normal neurotransmitter function in the colon and leads to dependence on these substances. We recommend herbal colon cleansers only occasionally and we do not recommend over the counter laxatives at all.
4. How is colon hydrotherapy different than using oral over the counter or herbal "cleansers"?
Colon hydrotherapy is a gentle infusion of water in and out of the colon, reaching all four to five feet, allowing impacted waste to be removed. Doctors who use colon therapy as part of preparation for a colonoscopy observe that the colon wall is pink and hydrated afterwards. This is in contrast to the dehydrated appearance of the colon when only oral laxatives are used. The laxatives deplete the body and the colon of hydration, colon therapy adds hydration, thus the name, "colon hydrotherapy."
5. What can I expect from colon hydrotherapy?
Colon hydrotherapy is not a cure, but a valuable procedure used to assist the body with the reversal of a wide variety of health and conditions, known to stem from improper diet and elimination habits. Colon hydrotherapy should be considered as a preventive health enhancement alternative rather than a treatment for a disease.
6. What are the therapeutic indications for colon hydrotherapy?
Overall health maintenance; constipation; diarrhea; mild/moderate hemorrhoids; intestinal detoxification; bowel training for para/quadriplegics; chronic fatigue syndrome; candida imbalance; following pregnancy; preparation for bowel test; after barium enemas; irritable bowel syndromes.
7. What are the indications under a physician’s guidance or recommendation?
Acute fecal impaction; colitis; parasite infestation; ulcerative colitis; Crohn’s Disease; hyper/hypothermia; colostomy cleansing; severe hemorrhoids.
8. Are there any absolute contra-indications for colon therapy?
Yes. Cancer of the colon or gastrointestinal tract; diverticulitis; acute abdominal pain; recent history of gastrointestinal bleeding; recent heart attack; recent acute cardio vascular event; uncontrolled hypertension; general debilitation; vascular aneurysm and possibly patient with a history of seizure, epilepsy or psychosis.
9. Will colon hydrotherapy affect the bacteria that reside in the colon?
Research has determined that there are more than thirty-six different species of bacteria that resides in the colon. Of these bacteria, more than twenty are formed in the stool of flesh eaters, all of which produce very highly toxic by-products. It is a well known fact that good bacteria, the bacteria that is necessary for proper digestion, has difficulty surviving when the colon balance is disturbed by infrequent or insufficient elimination, antibiotic use, other mediation's, ingestion of chlorinated water, parasites, pathogenic bacteria or fugal organisms, food intolerances, stress, trauma, toxins such as pesticides and chronic illness. At this time, there is no published data on the effect of colon irrigation removing the indigenous intestinal micro flora. The balanced body is constantly manufacturing healthy bacteria. Imbalance of any kind leads to compromised gut imbalance that sometimes does not recover spontaneously.
10. Will the electrolyte balance in my body be changed by receiving colon irrigation?
In the 1989 study, “Effects of Colon Hydrotherapy on Serum Electrolytes,” reported in the Journal of Natural Medicine in 1990, no patient experienced any clinically significant symptoms or disturbances. When the body is properly nourished with good quality organic foods containing sodium, potassium and magnesium, the electrolyte level of the colon is replenished as part of the diet. If you have read that colon hydrotherapy can lead to "water toxicity" we must protest as the colon will absorb a maximum of a liter of water per day. After that absorption, additional water is expelled. A person with kidney function disorders may, indeed, have a capacity to absorb too much water, but we know of no other conditions that are contraindicated due to water absorption.
11. How long does it take to receive colon irrigation?
The sessions vary according to the individual needs and response. The body needs only about 30 to 45 minutes of actual therapy time, but preparation before hand and question and answer time afterwards can extend the time to an hour and 15 minutes. Short sessions are scheduled per special request and after screening by the colon therapist. The first visit is longer due to an evaluation performed prior to the first treatment.
12. What can I expect after my colon therapy session?
Most people feel lighter and more energized after a session. A few people will have some detoxification reactions, ranging from weakness, sleepiness, bloating and other symptoms. When a person experiences detoxification reactions, it is usually an indication that additional sessions are needed; and may be needed soon. Some people have more releases throughout the day after the therapy, and some people do not experience another elimination for a day or two. Both reactions are normal and tells us valuable information about the functioning of your colon.
13. How long will it take for me to experience a bowel movement after a session?
Many people resume their regular schedule of elimination the next day, and many others experience one to three days before another movement. It all depends on the "transit" time for that individual. A slow "transit" time simply means that the colon takes some extra time to move waste along. There are many reasons for this, and most people have some improvement in transit time after cleansing with a series of colon hydrotherapy sessions.
14. Is the process painful at all?
Pain is not a sensation we expect to see during the session. If pain occurs, the therapist may stop the session. Some cramping, such as a person experiences with a regular bowel movement may occur. A feeling of fullness before a release is common.
15. How is my dignity preserved during the session?
Clients remain fully draped at all times. Bathrooms are located so as to assure privacy. Your therapist maintains a totally professional approach at all times.
16. Is there anything I need to do to prepare for a session?
Yes, you should refrain from eating or drinking for 2 hours before your appointment time. You may have small sips of water, but food in your intestines may hinder your releases. If you are constipated, taking Natural Calm (by Natural Vitality) is a gentle way to bring water to the colon. You may take this supplement frequently with no fears of dependence, as it is a naturally occurring mineral that the body needs. Many people have a magnesium deficiency.
17. Does Colon Hydrotherapy help with weight loss?
Some people have reported losing as much as 10 pounds the next day after a session. Most people lose between 1 and 5 pounds. This weight loss is temporary. Colon therapy sessions, done at regular intervals can enhance weight loss. Calorie, and/or fat restrictions, along with exercise are still the pathways toward weight loss; but colon therapy can reduce any constipation experienced as well as accelerate results. by way of enhancing metabolism. The body works better and more efficiently when old waste is eliminated remaining in the colon for more than 18 to 24 hours.
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