Colon Hydrotherapy
What is colon hydrotherapy?
Colon hydrotherapy is an FDA approved method of removing waste from the large intestine without the use of drugs. During a session warm, filtered water is gently introduced into the colon. As a result waste is hydrated and softened ultimately encouraging the body’s natural evacuation via peristalsis. This process is repeated a few times during the session.
Abdominal massage, sound healing, and somatic awareness exercises may be implemented to assist in the productivity of the session.
A colonic session is a comfortable experience for most people; however cramping and discomfort may occur during sessions as the body works to eliminate. If for any reason a colonic is too uncomfortable a session can be stopped at any time. During a session clothing above the waist is kept on while a towel is used to cover exposed areas below the waste. Your dignity and comfort are essential to your ability to relax and release.
How is gut health connected to overall wellness?
The road to restoration is not an independent endeavor. Our health is intricately connected to the health of our planet. As the chemicals from industrialization have built up in the air, soil, and water the bioaccumulation of toxins in our bodies has followed suit. It is estimated that the average person consumes approximately 5 grams of plastic particles per week, equating to roughly the weight of a credit card. Never mind the cumulative effects of food additives, pharmaceuticals, viral infections, and day-to-day stress. While our detoxification pathways were once adequate in eliminating harmful substances from our bodies these pathways are now burdened by the constant influx of toxins and are in desperate need of support.
When the body is taxed there is less energy for cellular repair, inflammation cleanup, and digestion along with many other processes necessary for optimal functioning.
As scientific data continues to stack up the importance of gut health and functioning detoxification pathways are no longer limited to the minds of complimentary and alternative medicine practitioners. The secret is out: gut and microbiome health is intrinsically connected to the wellbeing of the mind, body, and spirit.
Why is colon care important for your health and wellness?
The colon is the place where we store the waste material that most of us would rather not think about, but a healthy colon produces Vitamins B and K, houses the majority of our microbiome, and absorbs water.
Everyday more research is published telling a deeper and more profound story about how gut health and the microbiome affects every organ of the body. There are now established links between gut health and the immune system, brain function, body weight, autoimmune diseases, endocrine disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancer, sleep, and a myriad of GI disorders and other systemic imbalances.
While the colon was once thought of as simply the sewer system of the body it is now clear that it plays a far more complex role in our overall health and wellbeing.
Who could benefit from a colonic?
For most people, the removal of waste via the process of colon hydrotherapy can encourage natural elimination and better colon function overall.
Colon hydrotherapy naturally helps your gut eliminate built up waste, supports issues of occasional constipation and may encourage a sluggish bowel.
Dehydrated stool can become impacted, or stuck, in your colon, blocking waste from leaving the body. This often causes pain and bloating that could be relieved with as little as one session.
In an ideal world you would be having as many well-formed bowel movements as meals consumed per day. Unfortunately, this isn’t the norm as so many modern day factors can influence this rate. Colon hydrotherapy offers a natural and safe way to support your system during periods of less than optimal functioning.
Some instances that a colonic could be supportive include, but are not limited to:
Prior to a colonoscopy
Colon hydrotherapy is an approved preparation method for this procedure
Prior to menstruation
Relieve premenstraution constipation and heaviness
Prior to journey work
Many plant medicines support health by purging the body--help the medicine go deeper by preparing with a colonic
Prior to a surgical procedure
Support the healing process by relieving the body of excess waste
After a surgical procedure
Clear stagnation, pharmaceuticals, and support constipation from opioids
During a full moon
Parasitic reproduction is at it's peak as the circadian rhythm in your body reacts to changes in the moon's cycle
General bloating and sluggishness
Get relief quick
Before travel
Support travel constipation
After travel
Relieve build up from travel constipation
If you have a colon and don’t have any of the contraindications listed below, there is a good chance you could benefit from occassional colon cleansing.
Contraindications:
(some of which may be ok with an Rx)
Acute liver failure, 1st/3rd semester pregnancy, cancer, renal insufficiency, severe anemia, aneurism, congestive heart failure, bleeding hemorrhoids, anal fissure/fistula, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, abdominal hernia/distended abdominal mass
What is the history of colon hydrotherapy?
The practice of colon hydrotherapy is not a new age revelation. In its most basic form, the enema, was first documented in the 14th century B.C. in the Egyptian medical text, Ebers Papyrus. Historical findings indicate the use of the enema for health and medical purposes across many cultures and millennia.
With the advent of rubber and plastic, by the late 19th and early 20th Century, the enema slowly gave way to colon hydrotherapy equipment. Dr. Kellogg reported in the 1917 Journal of American Medicine that in the treatment of gastrointestinal disease in over 40,000 cases, he had used surgery in only 20 cases. The rest were helped as a result of cleansing the bowels, diet, and exercise.
Colon hydrotherapy gained the attention of James A. Wiltsie, M.D., who contended that “our knowledge of the normal and abnormal physiology of the colon, and of its pathology and management, has not kept pace with that of many organs and systems of the body. As long as we continue to assume that the colon will take care of itself, just that long will we remain in complete ignorance of perhaps the most important source of ill health in the whole body.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have a normal bowel movement the next day after my colonic?
Some people do and others do not. As we clear out the colon during a session it can sometimes take a couple of days before you have a regular bowel movement again.
Is it customary to tip on a colonic?
Yes, a colonic is a service, not a medical procedure. However, I am very grateful for gratuity that is added to the payment, but never expect it! I recognize that for some folks the cost of a colonic is already a major financial investment.
How can I prepare for a session?
Do not eat 2-3 hours before your colonic. Come well hydrated.
What is best to eat after a colonic?
I suggest to eat light after a session. Preparing bone broth in advance is a bonus. My ultimate favorite after colonic meal is bone broth (especially beef) with miso added in to the bowl for an ultimate gift to your gut.
I recommend steamed or cooked veggies only, nothing raw. Avoid cruciferous vegetables, spicy foods, and anything processed.
Avoid alcohol for the rest of the day and increase your intake of warm liquids (broth and teas).
Will colon hydrotherapy fix my constipation?
In some cases clients find that a series of colonics can dramatically help with acute cases of constipation. Sometimes even getting you back to your normal bowel movements. However, colon hydrotherapy is not a cure, it is an adjunct holistic therapy. Colon hydrotherapy will certainly provide relief in cases of chronic constipation, but often "chronic" means it's been many years to a life time with the issue. To get bowels regulated again it takes work in the form of supplementation, dietary and lifestyle changes. All of which takes time, but is very possible!
Can I see what is coming out during a colonic?
Yes! For many people this is the most amusing part of the process. As waste leaves your body it goes through a "view tube" on the device where you can watch what is being released.
How long is a session?
Sessions are one hour in duration with about 45-50 min of time on the device.
How often should I get a colonic?
When first starting out a 3 series may be recommended. The timing for this is returning for your second colonic after two days and your third colonic a week from then. Sometimes bowels become hard and compacted in the haustra (pockets of the colon) and can take a few sessions to hydrate and release.
However, I am a huge advocate in listening to your body and finding what feels best for you.
After a series many clients return every 4-6 weeks for maintenance.
Some clients like to come whenever they feel that they need one. While others time their colonics with other cleansing protocols.
What is the difference between an open system vs closed system colonic?
At my practice I use an FDA registered closed system device. This means nothing is exposed to the air. Water goes in one tube and waste goes out another. I am with you the whole time and you are laying comfortably on a massage table during the session.
An open system is a much larger device and is mostly self run with a practitioner coming in to check on you from time to time. For this device water goes in through a speculum and upon release waste goes into a basin and down a drain.
Is a colonic messy?
It is very normal to have concerns that you will leak during a colonic. Although it is uncommon, occasionally there can be some watery leakage around the speculum. Often this happens because something large is wanting to come out and it is blocking the speculum hole. In this case I have many tricks for getting you flowing again.
Not to worry though! A disposable absorbent pad is placed under you during a session to prevent any "mess" that may occur. I got you.
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