What is Colonic Hydrotherapy?

Basically, it is a bowel cleanse. Your bowel (also known as the colon, or large intestine,) is the area where your body stores the waste products from digestion, and it can become toxic if it is not functioning efficiently. A build up of toxic matter, caused by modern day living, will have a direct impact on your health and well being.

Also known as Colonic Irrigation, Colon lavage, or High colonic, colonic hydrotherapy is a safe, effective method for cleansing the colon of waste material by repeated gentle flushing with highly purified water.

What is a colon?

The digestive tract or, alimentary canal, is the food passageway that runs from the mouth to the anus. The colon is the end portion of the digestive tract, and is approximately 5 feet long and 2.5 inches in diameter. Its major functions are to eliminate waste, and to conserve and absorb water. Around 90% of the body’s water is absorbed through the colon. Also, there are bacteria living in the colon which synthesize valuable nutrients such as vitamin K and portions of the vitamin B complex.

What is the purpose of having a colonic?

Well, waste material, (e.g. impacted faeces, dead cellular tissue, accumulated mucous etc,) especially that which has remained in the colon for some time poses several problems. Firstly, this material is quite toxic, (poisonous). These poisons can re-enter and circulate in the blood stream making us feel tired, weak or ill.

Secondly, impacted materials impair the colon’s ability to assimilate minerals and bacteria-produced vitamins. Finally a build-up of material on the colon wall can inhibit the muscular action of the bowel, causing sluggish bowel movements, constipation and the results of these disorders.

How can I tell if I have toxic material in my colon?

This condition is prevalent in all civilized societies, and particularly in the U.K. Common signs include, headaches, backache, constipation, fatigue, skin problems, bad breath, body odour, irritability, confusion, abdominal gas, bloating, diarrhoea and so forth. This may eventually lead to more serious problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, colitis to name but a few. As you can see, intestinal toxicity is part and parcel of many people’s everyday experience.

Is intestinal toxicity a common condition?

Yes, it is. But toxicity is not limited just to the colon. Toxic material is found throughout the body, particularly in fat tissue, joints, arteries muscles, liver etc. Colonics effectively eliminate large quantities of toxic waste, affecting the condition of the entire body.

As 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 greatly enhanced. Colonic Hydrotherapy has been found to be the most effective process available to accomplish this work quickly and easily.

Why not use enemas, suppositories or laxatives instead?

Well, everything has its proper place, but these are not really substitutes for colonics. Enemas are useful for emptying the rectum, (the lowest 8-12 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 various purposes, such as to undo the effects of temporary constipation, but the ‘Rolls Royce’ of colon cleansing, without question is colonic hydrotherapy.

What makes a colonic so special?

During a treatment, purified water, (purified to between one and three microns) is used to gently flush the colon., Through appropriate use of massage, pressure points etc, the colonic therapist is able to work loose and eliminate far more toxic waste than any short term technique.

What will colonics do to the colon?

Specifically, a colonic is used to accomplish the following:

• 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 function as it was intended to. In this very real sense a colonic is a rejuvenation treatment.

• 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. A popular misconception that colonics are habit-forming is completely incorrect. Quite the opposite, the colon is a muscle, and just as you give your body a workout at the gym, so the muscle tone of your colon improves with regular colonic treatments.

• 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 colonic therapist helps to eliminate bulging pockets of waste and narrowed, spastic constrictions finally enabling the colon to resume its natural shape.

• It stimulates reflex points: Every system and organ of the body is connected to the colon by reflex points. Colonics stimulates these points, thereby affecting the corresponding body parts in a beneficial way.

Are there any additional benefits I might expect from a colonic?

Yes, there are several. 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 form your abdomen, your skin, your face and even from that most taboo of natural products, your 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. You can deal with them sooner and more easily than you otherwise might if you waited until they produce effects seen elsewhere in the body. Also, the solar plexus is the emotional centre of the body, and the transverse colon passes right through it. Emotional events and anxiety often result in physical tension being stored in the solar plexus, which affects all organs of the area, including the colon. This on-going tightening of the colon muscle, results in either diminished movement of faecal material through the colon, which is experienced as constipation, or expulsion due to anxiety, leading to diarrhoea. Both or either of which are typical symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Not only do colonics alleviate these problems they can assist you in creating a fully holistic view of your body’s functioning, leading to a better quality of life.

What are the characteristics of a healthy, well functioning colon?

Healthy babies, animals and adults not subjected to the ‘refinements’ of civilization, 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. As incredible as this may sound, it is true and commonly experienced in cultures where people live more naturally.

How can I tell if I would personally benefit from a colonic?

Does your colon now exhibit the signs of a well functioning colon? If not, one or more sessions with a professional therapist will help to improve your colon function.

People with a healthy colon also benefit from regular treatments to maintain good bowel tone and function.

Are colonics habit-forming?

No. Quite the opposite. As stated previously, your colon is a muscle, and responds to exercise like any other muscle resulting in improved tone and function. The colonic is a tool intended to be used to create a clean and healthy colon. A colonic 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. Many people have a sluggish colon, and one of its features is that a colonic can be used to help tone the colon muscle so that the colon doesn’t perform so sluggishly. It may take a few 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 many regular bowel movements, so it may take some time for faecal matter to build up in the colon once again if you have a sluggish colon. When the colon is sluggish and bowel movements do not return for a few days after one colonic, it is an indication that further treatment is needed to remove debris that the bowel has built up over the years. This build-up of faecal material decreases the muscular action of the colon. Once a series of colonics is completed, the colon will begin to function like Mother Nature intended. Colonics give you a feeling of being lighter, cleaner and healthier with an improved sense of well-being. Dietary changes may also be necessary to ensure long lasting and vital health.

Are colonics dangerous in any way?

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. For each client a new disposable pack containing speculum, water inlet and outlet tubes is used. Cleaning and sterilisation of other necessary equipment is done as normal procedure and clean linen is used for each colonic as well.

Is a colonic painful?

The purpose of your treatment is to improve your well-being in a relaxed environment. Most concerns are whether insertion of the speculum is painful. The answer is no! Your therapist is trained and experienced in this procedure. Usually any discomfort is the result of resistance and tension. A professional colonic therapist is skilled at putting you at ease and minimising discomfort. However, if you experience any discomfort at any time during your treatment, just tell your therapist. Most people actually enjoy the colonic and are often surprised at how relaxing the treatment is. Also the unaccustomed sensation of feeling lighter, clean and clear afterwards. Sometimes during a treatment, the colon muscles will contract suddenly expelling considerable amounts of liquid and waste into the rectum. This may feel like cramping or gas, and may create a feeling of urgency to empty the rectum. This is a normal occurrence and easily managed by your therapist.

Is it embarrassing to have a colonic?

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. Sterile disposable tubing carries purified 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.

What can I expect afterwards?

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 an amazingly relaxing treatment. As soon as the colonic is finished you can carry on with the daily routine. Before you leave the clinic, your therapist will make sure that your bowel is empty of any residual water. Your therapist will also give you advice and an aftercare leaflet following your treatment.

A few people find that the colonic may trigger several subsequent bowel movements for the next few hours, but there won’t be any uncontrollable urgency or discomfort. It is also possible that you may feel light-headed or chilled for a few moments following a colonic.

How long does a colonic take?

Probably 90% of all colonics take about 45 minutes. It could also be longer or shorter than that based on the judgement of the therapist, and sometimes the wishes of the client. There will be around 15 minutes required before the colonic for the therapist to go over you medical history, and another 15 minutes should be allowed for changing. On a first colonic you should expect to spend an hour and a half at the clinic.

Is there any special kind of water used for colonic hydrotherapy?

We use highly filtered water, which passes through three separate filters and is purified to between 1 and 3 microns, (very pure!) 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.

Will colonics wash out intestinal flora and valuable nutrients?

The truth is that washing out putrefied material in the large intestine, increases the good intestinal flora. Good bacteria can only breed in a clean environment which is free of putrefaction and its accompanying harmful bacteria. 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 be better absorbed in a clean environment than in a putrefied one. If your therapist feels it necessary, probiotic flora will be recommended or implanted during your treatment.

Is there anything I need to do to get ready for a colonic?

Since your abdomen will be massaged it is a good idea to eat or drink lightly in the two 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.

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 in your abdomen directly after a colonic isn’t a good idea.

Will one colonic completely empty the colon?

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 in order 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 can remove some of the stagnant waste in the colon. The second and subsequent colonics will remove more. A bit like going to the gym, you don’t walk out with a beautifully toned body after one visit. How many you may wish to have will depend on your personal objectives, and will be discussed with your therapist.

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 impacted material is released you will actually feel the water enter the higher regions of the colon without any sense of obstruction. The objective should not be an empty colon, rather a well functioning colon.

Will a colonic clear up my skin?

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: lung, liver and kidneys. As elimination is accomplished through its proper channels, the skin will very often clear up.

Will a colonic make me constipated or give me diarrhoea?

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.

Suppose I have been suffering form constipation for a long time, will colonics help?

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 ‘civilised 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 form holding an excessive amounts 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.

What effect does colonic hydrotherapy have on our immune systems?

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.

If colonics are so good, why haven’t I heard about them before?