Colon Therapy FAQ’s

What is colon irrigation?
Also known as a “colonic, “colon lavage” or “high colonic”, a colon irrigation is a safe effective method of cleansing the colon of waste material by repeated, gentle flushing with water.

What is the colon?
The colon, or large intestine, is the end portion of the human digestive tract (food carrying passageway extending from mouth to anus). The colon is approximately 3 to 5 feet long and 2 1/2 inches in diameter. It’s major functions are to eliminate waste and to conserve water. There are bacteria living in the colon which synthesize valuable nutrients such as vitamins “K” and portion of the “B” complex.

What is the purpose of getting a colonic?
Waste material, especially that which has remained in the colon for some time, (i.e., impacted feces, dead cellular tissue, accumulated mucous, parasites, worms, etc.) poses several problems. First this material is quite toxic (poisonous). These poisons can re-enter and circulate in the blood stream making us feel ill, tired or weak. Second, impacted material impair the colon’s ability to assimilate minerals and bacteria produced vitamins. And finally, a buildup of material on the colon wall can inhibit muscular action causing sluggish bowel movements and constipation.

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 education process. You will learn to expand your awareness of your body’s functioning by including signals from your abdomen, your skin, your face and even from the most taboo of natural products, your eliminations! You will find that you even 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 produced effects seen elsewhere on your body.

Also, the solar plexus is the emotional center of the body, and the transverse colon passes right through it. If an emotional event is left uncompleted, it often results in physical tension being stored in the solar plexus, which affects all organs of the area, including the colon. This ongoing tightening of the colon muscle results in diminished movement of fecal material through the colon, which is experienced as constipation. Not only do colonics alleviate the constipation they can assist you in recognizing and release the stored emotion causing the problem. In effect, colonics assist you in creating a fully holistic view of your body’s functioning, leading to a better quality of life!

It sounds like intestinal toxicity is 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 material, affecting the condition of the entire body.

The colon isn’t the only organ of elimination, what makes colonics 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 irrigation combined with detox and other therapies can help restore bowel tonicity.

If it is important to cleanse the colon, couldn’t you use use enemas, suppositories or laxative instead?
Everything has its proper place, but those things really aren’t substitutes for the colonics. Enemas are useful for emptying the rectum and the lowest 8 to 12 inches of the colon. Usually, one or two quarts of water are used to do that. Suppositories are intended to empty the rectum. Laxatives, particularly herbal laxatives, are reformualted for various purposes, such as: to undo the effects of temporeary constipation, to build up the tone of the colon muscle, etc. But the fastest and most effective way of colon cleansing without question is colonic irrigation.

What makes a colonic so special?
In 30 to 45 minutes, as much as 20 to 35 gallons of water is used to gently flush the colon. Through appropraite use of massage, pressure points, reflexology, breathing techniques, suggestions, etc., the colon therapist is able to work loose and eliminate far more toxic waste than any other short term technique.
I can certainly relate to some of the signs of toxicity you mentioned. What I would like to know is what are charachteristics of a healthy, well functioning colon?
Healthy babies, animals and adults not subjected to the “refinements” of civilization (i.e., aboriginal peoples) have bowel movements shortly after each meal is eaten. So, assuming there is sufficient fiber and water available to the colon, one charachteristic is a bowel movement shortly after a meal is eaten. Once the urge to eliminate is honored by a trip to the toliet, the elimination should be easy and take no more than 10 seconds. The stool will be long, large in diamter, light brown in color, without offensive odor and should float or sink very slowly. Whent he toliet 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 experiences 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 knowledgable colon therapist may bring you great dividends.

How can I tell if I have toxic material in my colon?
This condition is prevalent in all civilized societies, and particularly in America. Common signs include: headaches, back aches, constipation, fatigue, bad breath, body odor, irritability, confusion, skin blemishes, abdominal gas, bloating, diarrhea, sciatic pain, distention of the abdomen, and overweight. As you can see, intestinal toxicity is part and parcel on many people’s everyday experience.

What will colonics do to the colon?
Specifically, a colonic is used to accomplish the following: Cleanse the colon: Toxic material is broken 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. Your colon can begin again to cooperate as it was meant to. In this very real sense colonic is 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 contractions) activity by which the colon naturally moves material.

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

Stimulates Reflex Points: every system and organ of the body is connected to the colon by reflex points. A colonic irrigation stimulates these points, thereby affecting the corresponding body part in a beneficial way (similar to reflexology).

It Hydrates the Colon: assisting with elimination.

It sounds like a colonic might 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 unaccustomed sensation fo feeling lighter, clean and clear afterwards. Sometimes during the colonic, the colon muscles will contract suddenly expelling considerable amounts of liquids and waste into the rectum. This may feel like cramping or gas, and may create a feeling of urgency to empty the rectum. Such episodes, if they do occur, are brief and easily tolerated.

Is it embarassing to get 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 honored. After the gentle insertion of a small 3 inch speculum into the rectum, you are completely covered. Disposable equipment carries clean water in and waste out a gravity system. The mess and odor sometimes present during an enema simply does not exist in a colonic.

Is there anything I need to do to get ready for a colonic?
Since your abdomen will be massaged iti s a good idea to eat or drink lightly in the 2 hours immediately preceding a colonic. Also, emptying the rectum with an enema prior to the colonic saves time and allows more to be accomplished with ease. This is optional.

What can I expect afterwards?
Hopefully, you’ll feel great. Probably feel lighter and enjoy a sense of well being. Not infrequently, someone getting their first colonic will remark that it was much better than they imagined. Any activity you would ordinarily be doing, such as work or exercise, is just fine to do. For some, the colonics may trigger several subsequent bowel movements for the next few hours, but they won’t be any uncontrollable urgency or discomfort. It’s also possible you may feel light headed or chilled for a few minutes following a colonic.

I have been told that, to be beneficial, one needs to “take a series” of colonics. What does that mean and is it true?
It’s important to be aware of your objective when working with a colon hydrotherapist. For example, if your objective is to quickly recover from the flu, or lower a fever, or eliminate a lower backache or headache, very possible one or two colonics may be all that is needed.

However, perhaps your objective is to overcome a lifelong habit of constipation, to learn to create multiple daily bowel movements and to achieve vital health. To do this may require, in addition to possible dietary, exercise and attitudinal changes, regular colonics for some time. How many depends on the condition of your body and how well it responds to treatment.

Having colonics regularly for a while, such as daily, weekly, or multiple times per week, is what is referred to as a “series.” Many colon hydrotherapist believe that to obtain results of lasting benefit, a series of coloincs must be undertaken. AGain this can only be properly considered once an objective has been identified.

If colonics are so good, why haven’t I heard about them before?
In a way, the answer to that is a commentary on our present day lifestyles. 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 signficantly improved method of accomplishing colon cleansing. Up to the late 1920’s many medical doctors had a colonic machine in their offices, and machiens 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 about the same time modern man began a 50 year love affair with drugs, and surgery. These seemed to offer relatively instant relief for body ailments, resulting in purification and prevention techniques becoming less attractive.

Recently, however, there has been resurgence of interest in using natural approaches for healing the body, and colonics have rapidly been regaining the respectability they have already earned.

Are colonics dangerous in any way?
Being essentially a natural process, there is virtually no danger with a colonic. A skilled therapist will always exercise care. Also, colonics are never performed on pregnant woman, a person with currently active ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, or following recent colon surgery. There has never been a reposted medical complaint done when having colonics.

I am a woman. What if I’m having my period?
No problem. It’s perfectly safe and beneficial to have a colonic during your period. In fact, some women find having colonics on the day their period starts reduces the amount of menstrual discomfort experienced. While we’re on the subject, many woman have noticied that after completing a cleansing program (also known as detoxification) that menstraul discomfort had been eliminated or substantially reduced from that time on.

Source:  Sanoviv Colon Hydrotherapy FAQ