Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need colonic?
Answer each of the following questions to see if you have healthy bowel habits.
- Do you eliminate 20 minutes after each meal?
- Is your fecal matter thick as a banana and about 10-12 inches long?
- Is your bowel elimination easy or done with minimal effort?
- Is your fecal matter in 1 piece and not in hard pellets or balls?
- Is your fecal matter free of significant foul odors?
- Is your stool a light or medium color?
- Are you able to achieve regular bowel movements at least once every other day without the use of laxatives or stool softeners?
If you answered NO to even one of the questions, then colon hydrotherapy may be o great benefit to you. If you answered YES to all of these questions, then congratulations! You are likely doing well by your colon and bowel function. However, just like taking your car in for an oil change -- colon hydrotherapy can be beneficial for healthy bowel maintenance or as a component of a periodic or seasonal detoxification program. It can also be beneficial following recent illness, environmental toxin exposures or periods of travel and dietary indiscretion.
Why colon hydrotherapy?
A healthy colon is essential to a healthy body. Typical diets today for people with a busy lifestyle are often comprised of refined, processed foods high in saturated fats and low in fiber. This combination contributes and likely causes many of the problems associated with the large intestine. The elimination of undigested food material and other ways products are just as important as the process of the digestion and assimilation of food. Waste material that remains stagnant in the colon results in an increased exposure to or re-absorption of a variety of toxins. These toxic compounds may be either the result of prolonged decomposition of ingested food or non-food additives, preservatives, medications, environmental toxins or other toxic metabolites.
According to the American Cancer Society:
- over 70 Milian American suffer from chronic intestinal problems
- Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, accounting for over 150,000 deaths annually
- 100,000 people undergo colostomies in the US every year for acute and chronic intestinal issues
- Many people are not even aware that they have a bowel problem contributing to or underlying many of their health issues
How long is a session?
A session typically lasts 60 minutes. For your first appointment, please allow an additional 15-30 minutes to complete your medical history form and a brief interview. For subsequent sessions, try to arrive a few minutes early in order to give yourself the time and space to relax and appreciate the experience. Your intestines work best when you are relaxed.
How many sessions to I need?
Most new clients should have 2-3 sessions within a week.
What about the use of laxatives?
Laxatives usually aggravate the problem of constipation by interfering with the colon's ability to eliminate normally on its own. Essentially, the colon becomes "lazy". The compounds contained in laxatives can irritate the lining of the colon or stimulate it to contract abnormally in order to expel the contained fecal matter. In addition, the oral route of administration is the least optimal method of evacuating the colon as it can interfere with other very important digestive actions occurring in the stomach and small intestine. Most laxatives and purgatives precipitate dehydration and may adversely affect the normal flora of the colon. Standard enemas only cleanse the rectum, the last portion of the colon, missing the majority of the large intestine.
Most of us have heard about a variety of colon cleansing products advertised in the media. While some of these products are safe to use, it is recommended that you work with a reputable therapist to review the specific contents of these products for potential risks or to learn of better alternatives.
Will colon hydrotherapy help me lose weight?
Many people carry between 10-50 pounds of impacted fecal material in their bowels. A series of colon hydrotherapy sessions will certainly help break up and move old waste from the body. Therefore, many people will lose weight following a session.
Is colon hydrotherapy a good way to prepare for colonoscopy?
Colon Hydrotherapy is in excellent way to prepare for a colonoscopy. We have helped many people prepare for colonoscopy comfortably with or without the typical oral preparation products.
With colon cancer being the number two cause of death in the United States, we are very supportive of people undergoing colonoscopies for screening. Most people dread them because of the scope and the anesthesia as well as the infamous oral preparation agents. To view a news video on colon hydrotherapy as preparation for a colonoscopy, click on the link below.
Will one session completely empty the colon?
No. Many people have 10 or more pounds of impacted feces stuck in their colon. This is a hardened, rubbery material known as plaque and often substantial work must be done to remove it. An initial series of between 3-6 treatments may be recommended, depending on your past and current bowel habits which should be discussed with your therapist. Years of improper nutrition can possibly be reversed in a few treatments. More treatments may be required in cases of chronic constipation, sluggish colon, involvement in an active detox program for specific or unknown toxins, seasonal cleansing or just maintenance. Again, specific health goals should be discussed in depth with your therapist to achieve optimal colon health and your objectives in a safe manner.
How do I prepare for my first colon therapy session?
A day or 2 prior to your appointment, you may want to eat light, non-cream soups, stews with lots of vegetables or fruits. Try to avoid significant amounts of red meat, dairy and flour products including bread or pasta. You may also wish to avoid gas producing vegetables or carbonated beverages, e.g. pop, beer, sparkling water. Finally, avoid excessive alcohol and sugar consumption in the few days prior to your session.
Chicken, fish, lightly steamed vegetables, fresh fruits and brown rice are okay to eat during the few days before or after the appointment. Staying hydrated is very important to the help of our bodies. Therefore, it is recommended that you drink at least 64 ounces of water with 3-4 fresh squeezed lemons over the day prior to your appointment.
These are JUST recommendations to help improve your comfort during the session and the quality of your results.
Is colon hydrotherapy painful?
No. It is normal for the muscles of a healthy colon to rhythmically contract in a process called peristalsis. When the intestinal muscles contract against an obstruction of fecal material or gas pockets there can be more significant sensation of cramping. However, this typically means that the peristalsis is starting to work more efficiently, which is a good thing. You may also experience a sense of abdominal fullness or cramping as the colon fills and stretches with water inflow. Once this becomes uncomfortable, the water inflow is turned off and the waste is eliminated through the connected tubing. In general, most people find this type of therapy very relaxing and leave their session typically feeling lighter and brighter.
Are there any side effects to colon hydrotherapy?
There are no significant side-effects to colon hydrotherapy. It is not uncommon to feel lighter and even have a sense of greater mental clarity. In many cases people feel more energized. How you will feel is a very individual experience and usually related to your bowel history and underlying condition. A clean colon lightens the burden on the other organs that eliminate waste and toxins. If someone has a history of poor eating habits and chronic constipation, they may need to have several sessions booked close together in order to loosen old waste and diminish feeling toxic after the sessions.
Is colon hydrotherapy embarrassing?
No. It is important that the therapist helps each individual maintain comfort and dignity during the session. You are completely covered during the entire procedure, resting comfortably on a massage table. There is little noise and no bad odors. It is typically a very relaxing experience.
Can colon hydrotherapy wash away parasites and all the bacteria?
Many people have been misinformed or believe that colonics flush out good bacteria, minerals or other needed nutrients from the system. This is not true. The reality is that your colon is not functioning properly because of the stuck or encrusted accumulation of waste material. This makes it difficult for the normal healthy bacteria in the colon to flourish and function properly. Most people, due to years of improper eating, lack of exercise and poor elimination habits have a very sluggish colon. So, flushing with water helps restore a more normal, healthy and balanced function and environment inside the colon.
While it is not uncommon for us to see parasites come out through the tubing during a colonic session, it should not be considered a treatment for removing or eliminating parasites from your colon.