COLONICS, COLEMAS or COLON IRRIGATION

What is colon irrigation?

This procedure is a means of restoring the colon to a healthy state in or for it to perform its normal function of carrying the solid wastes away properly and in a timely fashion..  Water is the usual substance used to hygienically cleanse the lower bowel or large intestine. Colonic irrigation is done to CLEAN and RESTORE the colon to it proper function.

Problems that may cause a need for Colonics

1. The diet of modern people particularily in the western hemisphere contains too many refined foods, saturated oils and denatured or chemical substances, all of which put a strain on the body's digestive system which can affect the whole person.

2. The stress of our modern living frequently causes upsets in the digestive system affecting the whole person.

3. When abnormal conditions are allowed to take place, the colon is prevented from working properly.

How is our Colon supposed to function?

The main functions are
1. to continue digestion of food which began in the small intestine (some minerals contained in the fluid are absorbed into the body)
2. remove water for reuse by the body
3. to convey wastes and toxic (poisonous) material outside the body. (It's the body's sewage system!)
4. to help with the maintenance of our immune system by providing 'a friendly flora or bacteria' atmosphere to keep unwanted    pests under control e.g. over growth of yeast, bacterial parasites, viral parasites
5. when the 'friendly flora' is healthy by the presence of acidophilous bifidous, B vitamins are produced to assist the health of the nervous system
6. by means of waves of muscle contraction in the colon wall called peristalsis, solid substances are moved out of the body.
7. it holds bacteria which begin the process of breaking down the waste into its components, thus preventing toxemia.
8. In a 24 hour period of time, food should move through the digestive system, from the mouth to the rectum.  (that's  approximately 3 meals per day)
9. the colon also expels the dead cells of the body (another reason for calling it the body's sewage system)

Symptoms of an UNHEALTHY colon

1. constipation - a condition where more than 3 meals are backed up in the sewage system
2. diarrhea - a condition where the chyme from the small intestine has not had the water pulled out of it in a normal fashion and the stool remains watery or extremely runny.
3. when waste builds up due to constipation, the TOXINS being reabsorbed by the body cause a condition called TOXEMIA, i.e. the body is poisoning its self (Like a sewer backing up into the toilet and over-flowing into the bathroom.  Yik! Phew!)
4. the backed up poisons are circulted throught he blood stream producing many grave effects on many organs.
5. generally speaking the problems will show up in the DIGESTIVE system first. - symptoms may be burping, beltching, bloating, odious breathe, passing of odious gas, flatulence, acid indigestion, etc.
6. Since all organs, glands, tissue cells give off waste material, the inability of the body to dispose of that waste will poison the whole body.
7. Years of STRESS, IMPROPER DIET, INSUFFICIENT EXERCISE, OVEREATING, IGNORING THE "call of nature" results in layer upon layer of impactions and hardened rubbery crust on the colon wall.

Who should have a Colonic?
1. anyone who has a chronic problem with the digestive/elimination system would benefit by a series of colonics
2. even small children who are at least six years of age, can benefit, when the body problem shows a need for them
3. Even  'healthy'  people who eat white bread, white sugar, white rice, white milk and/or white salt may have impacted waste material building up on the colon walls after a number of years. (it has been reported by nursing students that one doctor from the morgue of a hospital told them that white chunks from the bread that contains arsenic has been found in the bodies when autopsies have been performed.)
 4. from an Iriologist's perspective, when there is much discolouration in the iris with a presence of much clogged up mucous/catarrah, colonics are very beneficial.
5. anything in a person's life that prevents efficient function of the colon (accidents, surgeries, medical procedures with use of barium or other unnatural substances (dyes)) can be a reason for colonics.
6. Years of STRESS, IMPROPER DIET, INSUFFICIENT EXERCISE, OVEREATING, IGNORING THE "call of nature" results in layer upon layer of impactions and hardened rubbery crust on the colon wall.

How does one tell if their colon is healthy?

-Any or all of the above prevents proper absorption of nutrients and the continued absorption of toxic material.
-Cleansing the colon of these impactions and putrefactive water will give relief from a variety of symptoms
e.g. fatigue, gas, headaches, irritability, skin problems, lethargy, constipation, chronic diarrhea
-Taking care of these ind of problems give the body a renewed sense of well-being.
-The body feels 'lighter', more energetic because it can again take nourishment from the food consumed and defend its self against disease.

Who does colonics?
Colonics should only be done by trained colon therapists who have a good knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the digestive system.  If a person has just had a 'week-end' course, they are NOT sufficiently trained.  Good colon therapists may apprentice themselves to experienced persons, until they know the procedure well and develop a good 'bed-side' manor in their approach to their clients.

Are there different methods of doing colonics?
In our modern age, machines have been designed to pump water into the bowel and then let it drain.  However machines are NOT very sensitive to the human condition and are NOT recommended by the writer.
GRAVITY FLOW of the water along with continuous, active involvement of the trained therapist makes for a more sensitive, gentler procedure and the therapist can better observe how the bowel is responding to the treatment. Manual control of the water allows a more individual treatment.

How are colonics done?
Colonics are done in a clinically clean room with a padded table on which the client can lie. The therapist talks to NEW clients to explain the procedure and takes a short medical mistory. (if colon surgery has been done, a specific healing time is needed. If there are ulcerations or irritable bowel symptoms, the therapist will need to know and procede accordingly.)
The client is asked to empty his/her bladder BEFORE the procedure, since the bowel will be massaged during the procedure.
The client is asked to get on the table, exposing only their lower abdomen area and covering themselves with a towel.
The therapist will set up the needed equipment which includes filling the 5 gallon tank with water (preferably purified), taking the proctoscope from the sterilizer and attaching the tubes to it, then lubricating it.
The client is asked to lie on their left sides for the initial part; then on their backs. Two sizes of proctoscopes are available to ensure the client's comfort.
The water is set to a certain temperature, usually 80 deg. - 96 deg. F. or 27 deg. to 35 deg. C. depending on the bowel condition.
The water is allowed to flow INTO the colon via a 1/4" tube while the large exit tube is blocked.
A small amount of water is allowed to flow in at a time, if cramping occurs massaging the offending area usually takes care of the problem.
By releasing the exit tube, the water is allowed to drain away carrying with it toxins, fecal matter, mucous, fermentation, undigested food and supplements, plus other kinds of debris which is carried directly into the sewage system.
Each successsive fill usually allows more water to be introduced into the colon. The aim of the therapist is to get the water all the way to the caecum (pronounced see-cum) at the end of the colon where the appendix is attached at the ileo cecal valve where the colon is attached to the small intestine a sight of many bowel problems!!
After going through this 'fill, release, massage, empty' procedure SEVERAL times using about 15 gallons of water, the colonic will be finished.
It takes about 1/2 hour to 1 hour.
At the end of the colonic the proctoscoper is removed and clients are instructed to go to the toilet to discharge any water left in the bowel.

What should be done AFTER a colonic?
The client should be given supplement or tablets containg friendly bacteria and trace minerals which may be lost through the procedure. Acidophilous, potassium and montmorillonite or liquid minerals are often used.

How many colonics should a person have?
-It has been said that a good time is AT THE CHANGE OF SEASONS, when diet and exercise patterns often change.
-One should be taken BEFORE, DURING and/or AFTER a fasty to hasten the removal of toxic waste released by the fast.
-for 'healthy' colongs a series of 3 colonics should be adequate to bring it to a high level of functioning.
-for toxic conditions, a longer series after the first 3, taken bi-weekly, or monthly, even bi-monthly should be considered.

How does one maintain a HEALTHY colon?
-A good diet from of white bread, white sugar, white rice, white milk and/or white salt is a good start.
-an effort to take control of the stresses and fatigue in our lives is generally healthy

Who provides this service?
Colonics are normal procedures in a NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR'S office.
Also many PROFESSIONAL therapists are available.  However it would be wise to ask around to find out what the office procedures are like.  Personal experience with a therapist is often the best advertisement.
In St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Gwen Ryczko at (905)684-7857  is personally recommended.  Her training is throught he australian Naturopathic Society run by Dr. Robert A. Wood.
In the Penitang, Midland, Orillia area of Ontario, the office of Dr. Ronald Ingard is personally recommended also.
 

Return to other natural therapies. Thanks!