(also referred to as...)
Colon Cleansing, Colon Hydrotherapy, Colonic Irrigation
Introduction
Colon cleansing involves a slow irrigation of the large intestine using purified water that may be enriched with helpful bacteria, herbs, oxygen, or vitamins. The painless process cleanses and detoxifies the large intestine and relieves or significantly improves a number of ailments and conditions.
Your colon is roughly five feet long and is part of the large intestine. As the last leg of the digestive system, nutrients and water are extracted from food and into the bloodstream before being eliminated from the body. If the colon is not functioning properly, leftover waste products and toxins can accumulate on the colon walls. This leads to the release of toxins into the bloodstream, which then circulate throughout your body and cause or aggravate a number of conditions.
Accumulated wastes can be flushed from the colon using a gentle flow of water that dislodges the matter and pushes them out of the body. The process also exercises and tones the colon, allowing it to function more efficiently.
A History
Colon cleansing is a therapy that has been practiced since the time of the Ancient Egyptians, who performed enemas (a partial colonic irrigation) using reeds to pass water into the body via the rectum. More recently, this therapy was popularized in the 1890's, when Dr. Elmer Lee created an irrigating apparatus for use on cholera patients. Colon cleansing was widely used to treat various ailments up until the 1940's, when the therapy was offset by the introduction of antibiotics and other drugs.
Exacerbating Factors
Colon cleansing is used to treat a variety of conditions that lead to a malfunctioning or poorly functioning colon. A number of factors can lead to this situation. Genetic problems or neurological impairment can result in a number of problems involving the digestive tract. A low-fibre, high-fat diet and habits that lead to consuming food too quickly can also cause problems. Too little water is also a factor, while drinking too much water can dilute digestive enzymes in the body, leading to waste buildup in the colon. Caffeine-rich beverages dehydrate stool, making elimination more difficult. Emotional and physical stress can both aggravate the digestive system while bedridden people may find their colon has become sluggish. All of these situations can benefit from a colon cleansing.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Aside from improving the function of the colon, colon cleansing can be used to treat a number of ailments potentially caused by accumulated toxins in the body. This includes allergies, headaches, constipation, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal irregularities, and a weakened immune system.
Fasting may be encouraged before a colon session to allow your body to begin the detoxification and elimination process beforehand and make for a more effective colonic.
Many people also use colon therapy as part of a seasonal "maintenance" routine, complemented by fasting and/or other forms of detoxification. Consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner to determine a routine detoxification schedule, if required and/or desired.
Choosing A Therapist
As colon cleansing is a very personal experience, it is important that you be fully comfortable with your therapist before undergoing a session. You may wish to meet with him or her before an actual appointment to freely discuss your needs and concerns. Your therapist should be familiar with all aspects of colonic anatomy and physiology, related disorders, necessary precautions, side effects, and proper safety and sanitation procedures.
Typical Session(s)
During the session, your colon therapist will use a gentle flow of water to dislodge accumulated wastes and toxins lining your colon wall and facilitate their elimination from your body. He or she will have you lie down on your stomach and insert a speculum into the rectum followed by two tubes -- one to allow water to flow in and one to allow fecal waste, gas, and water to flow out.
Your colon therapist will ensure that fresh water does not mix with bodily water and waste leaving the colon. Only a few ounces (100 - 150mL) of water enter the rectum at any one time and your colon therapist will massage the colon through the abdomen during the process to help dislodge accumulated material. In total, twenty to thirty gallons (75 - 115 litres) of water will be used and the entire painless process will last one to one-and-a-half hours.
Upon completion of the session, most people feel light and calm. While some people feel energized following a session, it is not uncommon to feel quite tired after a colonic and you may require sleep for several hours afterwards. Drink plenty of room-temperature water after the session. Your colon therapist may also recommend potassium and cell salt supplementation to restore lost nutrients and acidophilus/bifidus to restore beneficial bacteria.
You may find that your colon cleansing induces an overall body cleanse that detoxifies other organs. As a result, you may experience diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, or vomiting. A clear complexion may be an additional benefit. Your colon therapist may also recommend fasting or other detoxification methods to encourage further elimination of toxins from your body.
Some people choose to have a colonic monthly, seasonally, or yearly, while others use this therapy to treat specific problems such as impacted or unhealthy colons. In this case, you may require three to six sessions before the colon has been fully cleansed.
For more information on precautions, see Contraindications ..., below.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
It is essential that your colon therapist take all necessary cautions to avoid the spread of communicable diseases between patients. All colonic equipment should be properly sterilized and disposable parts are often used to reduce the chance of cross-contamination.
Contacts
International Association of Colon Therapy (ICAT)
10911 West Ave.
San Antonio, Texas
78213
Tel.: 210.366.2888
Colonic International Association
31 Eton Hall
Eton College Road
London
NW3 2DE
Web: www.colonic-association.com
Ailment / Situation Listing
See also
Detoxification, Enema, Fasting
