Colonics - FAQ

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Below are some common questions we often get asked about Colon Hydrotherapy. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions.

So what exactly is the Colon?
And what exactly does a Colonic do?
What's the history of Colonics?
What's the difference between an Enema and a Colonic?
Why is it important to clean the Colon?
What's unique about a Colonic?
Are Colonics painful?
Are Colonics safe?
Is it sanitary?
Is it regulated?
Can I get a Colonic while I am menstruating?
Are there any times when I should not have a Colonic?
What if I have hemorrhoids?
Will I get "addicted" to Colonics?
Should I do a Colonic while cleansing or fasting?
 

So what exactly is the Colon?
It's a filter pump. The colon, or large intestine, is a 4 -5 ft long muscular tube with a semi-permeable membrane. It extends from the small intestine on your lower right side up and across the abdomen and then down the left side of the abdomen before curving up once more to the rectum and finally the anus. The colon acts like a filter pump. It filters in nutrients and water and filters out toxins and waste.

And what exactly does a Colonic do?
It unclogs your colon. The purified, filtered water washes away stuck-on, impacted, accumulated feces, waste material, mucous, and dead cellular tissue. The warm water stimulates the colon's own natural peristaltic rhythm. Meanwhile, trained and certified Colon Hydrotherapists massage the abdomen which massages the colon attached to the abdominal wall. This abdominal massage helps to realign and strengthen the colon (after years of neglect and abuse.)

What's the history of Colonics?
Ahh good question. How much time do you have? The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all inserted fresh water into the rectum as a method of cleansing. Back then, hollow reeds were used for the purpose. Devices for mechanically inserting water into the anus were developed in Europe as early as the 10th and 11th century. In 17th Century France, these water treatments (enemas) were so popular that King Louis XIV was said to sometimes receive official court visitors during a treatment. However, enemas fell out of common use until the early 20th century when the American doctor John H. Kellogg (who also invented Corn Flakes) revived the practice, with much controversial success. Then, in the 1930s was the first ever usage of the term "Colonic" and the distinction between a Colonic and a simple enema. Since then, various devices and equipment have been used to administer a Colonic, including the older "Gravity" method. But only in the 1980s with new technology, was there developed state-of-the-art scientific equipment for administering a Colonic.

What's the difference between an Enema and a Colonic?
Big, big difference. An enema is surface level while a Colonic goes deep. An enema is only one fill with one bag of water, while a Colonic consists of a steady flow of water to actually irrigate the colon. An enema washes out only the rectum and lower colon. A Colonic flushes the entire length of the colon. A Colonic also rinses the colon walls of stuck-on plaque and impacted waste. And, a Colonic is performed by a trained specialist, who gives an abdominal massage to restore and strengthen the colon.

Why is it important to clean the Colon?
Disease begins in the colon! If there is too much fermentation in the colon as a result of too much stagnant waste, the unhealthy bacteria naturally present in the colon will multiply and disease will begin. The colon is the sewage system of the body and must be cleaned out regularly. If garbage sits in the streets in the city, never getting cleaned away, it begins to rot, create a putrid odor and gases. Quite similarly, this is happens in the body. Worse, the walls of the membrane in the colon are semi-permeable. The toxins that are in your colon can move through the walls of the colon into the blood. Then, as the blood travels throughout the body, including the brain, those toxins are deposited.

What's unique about a Colonic?
Water is the medicine. There are other methods of cleansing and flushing out the body including laxatives, Epson salts, Oxygen powders, and other herbal methods for inducing release. But with a Colonic, the medicine being used to treat the body is just purified water. Water gently washes away old debris stuck to the inside walls of the intestines like waves of water that wash away the sands on a beach. For many people, a Colonic is the only effective treatment to relieve their symptoms of constipation and bloating etc. For still more people, the oral laxatives such as Epson salts or Oxygen Powders are just way too harsh. Some people vomit when trying to ingest these oral laxatives. A Colonic is a uniquely gentle and safe way to clean out the colon.

Are Colonics painful?
No. It should never be painful. If you have never had a colonic before, it will feel like a new sensation. It will feel "different," but definitely worth it as the results are often immediately noticeable and always rewarding. Depending on an individual's state of health or toxicity, the treatment can be easier or a bit more challenging. If there is a blockage or built-up constipation, there could be some slight cramping just before a release. However, this discomfort can be diminished greatly by preparing for the cleanse in advance. Please see our section: "How to Prepare for a Colonic."

Are Colonics safe?
Absolutely. Colon Irrigation can help alleviate many symptoms that result from an overtaxed and toxic intestinal environment. Some common symptoms that can be relieved immediately with a colon cleansing are: constipation, diarrhea, headache, blurred vision, brain fog, bad breath, acne, eczema, menstrual cramps, hemorrhoids, fatigue, depression, swelling or a feeling of being bloated. Like any health treatment, Colon Hydrotherapy does have certain contraindications, when it could be inadvisable to perform the therapy. Please see our "List of Possible Contraindications." Use your discretion and that of your primary health care provider (if you have any of these contra-indications) before making the decision to begin colon cleansing.

Is it sanitary?
Absolutely. We use sanitized, individually wrapped disposable speculums (inserted into the rectum), rather than the reusable metal speculums that are still used at some places. We use an FDA-certified Dotolo Colonic machine for all of our treatments. The machine is completely enclosed, meaning there is no odor, and it contains a check valve in the instrument to prevent the clean water from ever becoming contaminated with the waste water. The water is filtered three times and then ionized and alkalized with a UV light which thoroughly purifies and vitalizes the water. It is the most efficient and complete filtration system available in the industry.

Is it regulated?
Yes. We use an FDA-approved Dotolo Colonic machine for all of our treatments. But please note that not all advertised colonics use this FDA approved machine. Some use a system that relies on gravity to dispense the water, hence these unregulated, often home-built systems are called the "Gravity" method. In contrast, the Dotolo machine allows the therapist to control completely the temperature, pressure and speed of the water flow operated at settings that are comfortable to each individual. We are also certified by I-ACT, the International Association of Colon Therapists, the only recognized regulatory agency. Again, please note, not all colonic practitioners are certified by I-ACT.

Can I get a Colonic while I am menstruating?
Yes! Actually, relieving the pressure and toxicity levels in the colon often greatly diminishes the symptoms of menstrual cramping. After a colonic, many people feel an immediate benefit when suffering from menstrual symptoms such as cramping, headaches, swelling of feeling of being bloated and fatigue.

Are there any times when I should not have a Colonic?
Yes. Like any health-related treatment, Colon Hydrotherapy does have certain contraindications, when it could be inadvisable to perform the therapy. Please see our "List of Possible Contraindications." Use your discretion and that of your primary health care provider (if you have any of these contra-indications) before making the decision to begin colon cleansing.

What if I have hemorrhoids?
You can still get a Colonic, and in fact, it may help you. Hemorrhoids are caused by too much pressure in the veins surrounding and on the inside of the anus. These symptons are generally caused by constipation and/or too much "pushing" while trying to have a bowel movement. A gentle colon cleansing will help to relieve this pressure, and get things flowing smoothly again. Often hemorrhoids will clear up as soon as the pressure is released (which may require a series of colonics) or within a few days after treatment.

Will I get "addicted" to Colonics?
No. Some people worry that their body will become reliant on the colon irrigation process. But, the way a colonic works is to strengthen the colon. The colon is a muscle and like any muscle, it benefits from excercise and massage. A Colonic stimulates the colon's own natural peristalsis, the contracting rhythms of the colon that push the waste along the tract and eventually out through the anus. A good, regulated, healthy Colonic never overpowers or disengages the colon's own peristaltic movement. A Colonic doesn't use any drugs or herbs that alter the biochemistry of the colon. It's only water. And sometimes, after years of toxic buildup, it can be necessary to have multiple Colonics within a short span of time to "re-train" and heal the colon. The only possible danger with too many Colonics is the removal of the "good bacteria" from the lining of the colon. But, we always give our clients a replenishing pro-biotic after each Colonic session to help restore the natural and healthy bacterial balance in the intestines.

Should I do a Colonic while cleansing or fasting?
Yes! Definitely! The colon is the sewage system (waste removal system) of the body. This is why it is especially crucial to purge the colon during a fast. During a fast, your body has an opportunity to enter a self-cleaning cycle and release toxins at a cellular level. These toxins are all dumped into the colon for elimination. Once in the colon, the released toxins can have a negative effect on the body creating headaches, fatigue and other unpleasant symptoms (common during a fast). Worse, if they are not eliminated, they could simply get re-absorbed back into the body and re-circulated. We recommend getting a colonic before, during and after a fast to help ensure proper removal of the toxins released during a fast.