Answers to frequently asked questions.

What is colon hydrotherapy?

It is also known as colonic irrigation,high colonic,colon lavage or even a colonic. It is a safe,effective method for cleansing the colon of waste material by repeated, gentle flushing with water.

Please explain about the colon

The colon or large intestine is the end portion of the digestive tract and is approximately five feet long and two and a half inches in diameter. The major functions of the colon are to eliminate waste and conserve water. There are also bacteria living in the colon which synthesize vital nutrients such as vitamin K and portions of the B vitamins.

What is the point of a colonic?

Waste material, especially when it has remained in the colon for some time (e.g.impacted faeces,accumulated mucous, dead cellular tissue, worms, parasites etc) poses many problems. This material is toxic (poisonous). These poisons can re-enter the bloodstream and circulate round the body making us feel ill,tired or weak. Impacted materials impair the colons ability to absorb/assimilate minerals and the vitamins produced by bacteria. Also the build-up of materials on the colon wall can inhibit muscular action causing bowels to become sluggish and constipated, and their resulting disorders.

Have I got toxic waste in my colon?

This is a common problem in all civilised societies, especially the U.K. Intestinal toxicity is part and parcel of peoples everyday lives. Common signs include; constipation, headaches, backaches, fatigue, body odour, bad breath, skin problems, confusion, bloating, irritability, diarrhoea, sciatic pain and so on.

But toxicity is not limited to the colon. Toxic material is found throughout the body, particularly in fat tissue,arteries,muscles,joints,liver,etc. Colonics can effectively eliminate large quantities of toxic waste, thereby affecting the condition of the entire body.

Why is the colon so important, when there are other organs of elimination?

The liver,kidneys,lungs and skin are all involved in elimination. However,throughout history peoples found that when their colon is cleansed and healed the well-being of the whole body is greatly enhanced, and colonic hydrotherapy is the most effective process available to do this quickly and easily. Also your skin actually "breathes" and if your colon,liver or kidneys are functioning poorly, your skin will have to work harder to make up the difference. Skin eruptions of various types often occur as these toxins are released through the skin.

As cleansing and healing of the colon is accomplished, the skin will often clear and you will achieve a healthy glow.

Why not use enemas,laxatives or suppositories instead?

They have their place but are not a substitute for colonics, enemas are used to empty the rectum which is the lower part of the colon.Suppositories do the same thing.Laxatives,particularly herbal laxatives are formulated for various purposes, e.g. to remove the effects of temporary constipation, to build up the muscle tone of the colon muscle etc. But colon hydrotherapy is the rolls royce of colon cleansing. This is because in a 30-40min session 15 gallons of filtered water is used to flush the colon,together with appropriate massage, the therapist is able to work loose and eliminate far more toxic waste than any short-term technique.

What can a colonic accomplish for the colon?

1 It will cleanse the colon. Toxic debris is broken down so that it can be eliminated and no longer harm the body or inhibit assimilation or elimination.Even debris built up over a long period of time is gently, but surely removed in the process of a series of treatments. Once impacted material is removed your colon can again begin to operate as it was intended to. In this sense it could be seen as a rejuvenation treatment.

2 It exercises the colon muscles. The build of toxic debris impairs the functioning of the colon and also weakens it. The gentle filling and emptying of the colon improves muscular activity (peristalsis) by which the colon naturally moves material.

3 It reshapes the colon. When problem conditions exist in the colon they can alter its shape which in turn causes more problems. The gentle action of the water,together with the massage techniques of the colon hydrotherapist encourages elimination of bulging pockets of waste and narrowed,spastic constrictions, which will finally allow the colon to resume its natural shape.

4 It stimulates reflex points Every system and organ of the body is connected to the colon by reflex points. A colonic stimulates these points, thereby affecting the corresponding body parts in a beneficial way.

Other benefits can be an expanded awareness of your bodies functioning, by recognising signals from your abdomen,skin,face and even from that most taboo of natural products, your eliminations. This awareness will help you to spot clues from these body regions and functions before they become serious. You can deal with them sooner than if you waited for them to produce effects seen elseware in the body. Also the solar plexus is the emotional centre 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 on-going tightening of the colon muscle results in diminished movement of faecal material through the colon, which is experienced as constipation. Not only can colonics alleviate this constipation, they can assist in producing a more holistic view of your body's functioning,leading to a better quality of life.

What are the characteristics of a healthy,well functioning colon?

Healthy adults not subjected to the "refinements of a civilised diet,(e.g. aboriginal peoples) have a bowel movement after each meal is eaten. Therefore assuming there is sufficient fibre and water available in the colon,there is usually an urge to empty the bowels. When this urge is honoured by a trip to the toilet, the elimination should be easy and take no more than a few seconds. The stool will be long ,large in diameter,light brown in colour,without an offensive smell and should float or sink slowly.When the toilet is flushed , the stool immediately begins breaking apart by the action of the water movement. This may sound incredible but it is commonly experienced in cultures where people live more naturally.

How do I know if I would benefit from a colonic and does it hurt?

Is your colon exhibiting the signs of a well functioning colon? If not a course of treatments can bring great dividends. It is rarely painful. Painful experiences are usually the result of tension and resistence. You will be put at ease during the colonic which minimizes discomfort. Most people generally enjoy the treatment and are particularly pleased with the sensation of feeling lighter, clean and clear afterwards. Occasionaly the colon muscles will contract suddenly expelling large amounts of waste and liquid into the rectum, which may feel like wind or cramping, and you may feel an urgency to empty your rectum These episodes,if they occur are brief and easily tolerated.

Is it embarrassing to have a colonic?

No your personal dignity will be fully maintained. I fully appreciate the sensitivity of the procedure and will help you to feel at ease. I have regular colonics myself so understand what you are experiencing.

Should I do anything prior to my treatment?

No special measures are neccessary, but it is unwise to eat or drink large amounts prior to the colonic. If you are able to empty your bowel prior to the colonic it will save time and allows more to be accomplished. Do not worry if you are unable to do this.

What will occur during a colonic session?

I start with a case history, where I ask about your general health, relevant past medical history, and whether you are taking any medication. I explain the procedure to you, and then you get changed. During the colonic you will be relaxing on the treatment couch, and a small speculum is gently inserted into your rectum. Warmed and filtered water is then introduced into the colon. The speculum has separate water and waste lines which are connected to the colonic hydrotherapy equipment. All waste expelled is then transported into the sewage without any offensive smells. The warmed purified water runs slowly into your colon,and when slight pressure builds up in the colon, the water is gently released along with gas, mucus and waste. Light abdominal massage is used to loosen impacted faeces,dislodge toxic waste matter adhering to the colon walls and encourage gas to move through and be eliminated. With subsequent colonic sessions eliminations can be even more substantial as older, hardened and impacted faeces are dislodged from the walls of the colon. I will be evaluating your progress during the session and will advice you if additional treatments will be benificial to you.

How will I feel afterwards.

You are most likely to feel great, probably lighter,cleaner,and healthier with a sense of well-being. After the colonic you can carry on with your normal routines, but for a few people, they may experience several subsequent bowel movements over the next few hours, but wont have any uncontrollable urgency or discomfort. Occasionaly you may feel chilled for a few moments afterwards or lightheaded, but these feelings soon pass.

Can colonics give me diarhoea or make me constipated.

The usual experience after a colonic is a slight delay in having a bowel movement then a return to a somewhat larger stool that is easier to move. However if the colon is weak and sluggish there may be no bowel movement for several days. This is not due to the colonic, but to the weakness of the bowel and should be regarded as an indication that the colon needs healing and strenghtening. Rarely, diarrhoea or loose bowels may occur, which may be the result of stirring up toxic waste, or to the extra water introduced into the colon, but is usually of very short duration. However as severe diarrhoea can dehydrate the the body, it should be monitored carefully.

Why, if colonics are good for you, are they not more widely known.

Historical records show that peoples have regularly cleansed and purified their bodies, including their colons. At the beginning of the 20th century, the present day colon machine was invented,allowing for significantly improved colon cleansing. Up until the late 1920s many Doctors had colonic machines in their offices and in hospitals. At that time man began a love affair with drugs and surgery. These seem to offer relatively instant relief for bodily ailments, making purification and prevention techniques seem much less attractive. However, there has recently been a resurgence of interest in using natural ways for healing the body, with colonics rapidly regaining the respectability they had previously earned.

Can people become dependant on colonics

Colonic irrigation (hydrotherapy) is a tool used to produce a clean and healthy colon. My goal is to assist you in healing your colon, not make you dependant on colonics. One of the benefits is that a colonic is used to tonify the colon muscle so that the colon doesn't perform so sluggishly. It may be several days before a bowel movement returns after a colonic. This is why people feel they may become 'dependant' on colonics One good colonic is worth 20 or so regular bowel movements, so it can take a while for waste material to build up again, especially if you have a sluggish colon. This can indicate that extensive colon work is needed to remove the debris that the bowel has built up over the years. The build up of debris is responsible for decreased muscle action in the colon. After a series of colonics the colon will start to function as nature intended.

How do colonics effect the immune system.

Colonics remove the stagnant waste material and hardened,impacted toxic residue which can rejuvenate the immune tissue that resides in the intestines.Recent studies suggest that 80% of immune tissue is in the intestines. as this is much higher than previously thought,it is logical to speculate that this type of therapy could influence immune deficiency diseases such as M.E. and AIDS. Whilst not a cure-all, colonic irrigation is an important adjuctive therapy in the overall health care of a client.

Will a colonic wash out valuable nutrients and intestinal flora.

Good bacteria can only breed in a clean environment which has been washed free of putrefaction and its accompanying harmful bacteria. Each time you wash out the putrefying rubbish and create a better environment for the good flora, they immediately start to multiply in their natural surroundings. Also valuable nutrients are better absorbed in a clean healthy environment than in a putrefied one.

How long does the actual colonic take

About 45 minutes,but it could be longer or shorter than this, based on the judgement of the therapist and sometimes,the wishes of the client.

Will it be alright to eat following a colonic

We suggest that you eat at your usual mealtime, and have a moderate amount of whatever seems nourishing and gentle to you. Just as it is illogical to have your car cleaned and immediately drive it through mud, eating a meal known to cause trouble in your abdomen immediately after a colonic is not a wise choice. Vegetable soups and broths, salads,fruit or juices are the best choices.

Can one colonic empty the colon completely.

Almost never. This is because many of us have a considerable amount of impacted faeces in our colons. This is hardened, rubbery or wallpaper like material. Substantial work needs to be done to remove it. One colonic will remove some of the stagnant waste. The second and subsequent colonics will remove more. How many you need or wish to have will depend on your personal objectives.

Will I know when the colon is empty.

It will probably never be completely empty,as the colon is an organ in continuous use. The objective is not an empty colon, but rather a well functioning colon.

How much will a colonic cost.

The cost per treatment is £70 payable by cash or cheque. I do not take credit or debit cards at present. Although cost is obviously relevant, far more important is the benefit to your health.

Cancellation policy.

I do understand that on occasions cancellations cannot be avoided, but in line with other clinics I do have a standard cancellation policy and a fee of half the cost of the appointment will be charged when less than 24 hours notice is given.