Questions and Answers about colonic irrigation
What is colonic irrigation?
Also known as a "colonic", "colon lavage", "colon hydrotherapy", or "high
colonic", colonic irrigation is a safe, effective method for cleansing
the colon of waste and impacted material by repeated flushing with water.
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What is the colon?
The colon, or large intestine, is the final part of the human digestive
tract (food carrying passageway extending from the mouth to the anus).
The colon is approximately 60 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide. Its
major functions are to eliminate waste and to store water. There are also good bacteria living in the colon which assist in the absorption of valuable nutrients such as vitamins "K" and portions of the vitamin "B" complex.
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Why have a Colonic Irrigation treatment?
Waste material, especially that which has remained in the colon
for some time, (i.e. impacted faces, dead cellular tissue, accumulated
mucous, parasites, worms, etc.), poses a number of problems. Firstly this
material is quite toxic (poisonous). These poisons can re-enter and
circulate in the blood stream making us feel ill, tired or weak. Secondly,
impacted materials impair the colon's ability to absorb minerals and
bacteria- produced vitamins. A build-up of material on the colon wall can inhibit muscular action causing sluggish bowel movements and thereby constipation.
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How can I tell if I have toxic material in my colon?
This condition is prevalent in all "western" societies, and particularly
in Ireland, the UK and the US. Common signs / symptoms include headaches, backaches, constipation, fatigue, bad breath, body odour, irritability, confusion, skin problems, abdominal gas, bloating, diarrhoea. As a result intestinal toxicity is part and parcel of many peoples everyday life.
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As the colon isn't the only organ of elimination, what makes the
colonic 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 has been found to be a very
effective process available to accomplish this work quickly and easily.
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Why not use enemas, suppositories or laxatives instead?
Enemas are useful for emptying the rectum (the lowest 8 to 12 inches of the colon). One or two pints of water are used. Suppositories are intended to accomplish the same task, but are drug based. Laxatives are formulated for various purposes, such as to undo the effects of temporary constipation and to temporarily build colon tone.
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What makes colonic irrigation so effective?
In a 30-40 minute session approximately 15 gallons of water is used to
gently flush the colon. With the appropriate use of abdominal massage the colon therapist is able to work loose and remove far more toxic waste and build up than any other short-term technique.
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What will colonic irrigation do to the colon?
A colonic irrigation treatment is used to accomplish the following;
Cleanse: Toxic material is broken down so it can no longer harm your body. Debris built up over a long period is gently removed in the process of a series of treatments. Once impacted material is removed, your colon can begin again to operate as it was intended to.
Exercise: The build up of toxic debris weakens the colon and impairs its functioning. The gentle filling and emptying of the colon encourages peristaltic (muscular contraction) activity by which the colon naturally moves material.
Reshapes: When problem conditions exist in the colon, they tend to alter its shape which leads to more problems. The gentle action of the water, coupled with massage techniques, help to eliminate bulging pockets of waste and narrowed, spastic constrictions. This enables the colon to resume its natural state.
Stimulates: Every system and organ of the body is connected to the colon by reflex points. Treatments stimulate these points thereby affecting the corresponding body parts in a beneficial way.
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Are there any additional benefits I might expect from a colonic?
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 that most taboo of natural products, your elimination's. You will find that you can spot the beginnings of developing conditions through clues from these body
regions and functions before they become serious.
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 do colonics
alleviate the constipation, they can assist you in creating a fully
holistic view of your body's functioning, leading to a better quality of
life.
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What are the characteristics of a healthy, well functioning colon?
The inclusion of refined and processed foods in most Western diets has led to poor colon function. It has been shown that tribal groupings (e.g. Aboriginal peoples) have bowel movements almost immediately after each meal is eaten. Assuming there is sufficient fibre and water available to the colon, one characteristic is a bowel movement shortly after a meal is eaten. Once the urge to eliminate 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 offensive odour and should float or sink very slowly. When the toilet is flushed, the stool immediately begins
breaking apart by the action of water movement. This is experienced in cultures where people live more naturally.
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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 knowledgeable colon therapist may bring
you great benefits.
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Is a colonic painful?
Rarely. Painful experiences are often the result of resistance and tension. A professional colon therapist is skilled at putting you at your ease and minimising discomfort. Most people actually enjoy the colonic and are especially pleased with the unaccustomed sensation of feeling lighter, clean and clear afterward. Sometimes during a colonic, the colon muscles will contract suddenly expelling considerable amounts of liquid 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.
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Is it embarrassing to have 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. After the gentle insertion of a small tube into the rectum, you are completely covered. Plastic tubing carries clean water in and waste out, and away. The mess and odour sometimes present during an enema simply does not exist with a colonic.
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Is there anything I need to do to get ready for a colonic?
It is advisable to eat or drink lightly in the 2 hours immediately preceding a colonic. Also helpful is to empty the rectum with a bowel movement just prior
to the treatment.
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What can I expect afterwards?
You'll probably feel lighter and enjoy a sense of well-being. As soon as the colonic is finished you can carry on with your normal routine. For some, the colonic may trigger several subsequent bowel movements for the next few hours, but there won't be any uncontrollable urgency or discomfort. It's also possible you may feel light-headed or chilled for a few moments following a colonic. It is usually advised that you refrain from alcohol consumption for at least 12 hours after a treatment.
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If colonics are so good, why haven't I heard about them before?
Historically, artefacts and records show that people have
regularly purified their bodies, including cleansing the colon. Around
the turn of the 20th century, the forerunner to the present-day colonic machine was developed, providing a significantly improved method of accomplishing colon cleansing. Up to the late 1920's many doctors had colonic machines in their offices, and machines 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 that 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 a resurgence of interest in using
natural approaches for healing the body, and colonics have rapidly been
regaining the respectability they have already earned.
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Are colonics dangerous in any way?
Being an essentially natural process, there is virtually no danger with
a colonic. Cleaning and sterilization of the necessary equipment is done as normal procedure.
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Are colonics habit forming?
The colonic is a tool intended to be used to create a clean and healthy
colon. A colon therapist, who is dedicated to your health, will encourage
you to set a goal of having a well-functioning colon. It may take days for
bowel movements to return after a good colonic. This is when people
think they are becoming "dependent" on colonics. One good colonic is
worth 20 or so regular bowel movements, so it may take some time for
faecal material to build up in the colon once again if one has a
sluggish colon. When the colon is sluggish and bowel movements do not
return for a few days after one colonic, it is an indication that
extensive colon work is needed to remove the debris that the bowel has
built up over the years. This build up of faecal material has decreased
the muscular action in the colon. Once a series of colonics is completed
, the colon will begin to function as intended. Colonics give you a feeling of being lighter, cleaner and healthier with a sense of well-being. Cleansing and building programs offer preventative measures so that you can be in control of your own health. Dietary changes may be necessary to ensure long lasting and vital health.
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Will a colonic make me constipated or give me diarrhoea?
The most frequent post-colonic experience is to have a slight delay in
bowel movements and then a resumption of a somewhat larger, easier to
move stool. Sometimes if the colon is weak and sluggish, there may be no
bowel movement for several days following a colonic. However this is not
due to the colonic, but rather to the weakness of the colon, and should
be interpreted as an indication that the colon requires strengthening
and healing. Very infrequently diarrhoea or loose bowels may be experienced. This could be due to the extra water introduced into the colon or to the stirring up of toxic waste. If this should occur, it is usually of very short duration. However, since severe diarrhoea dehydrates the body, it must be carefully monitored.
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Suppose I have been suffering from constipation for a long time, will
colonics help?
Constipation can be successfully treated with natural, harmless techniques, including the use of colonics. Constipation is one of what may be termed "civilized man's diseases". There are three factors involved in having a well functioning colon; diet, exercise and attitude. All three must be in balance for the colon to function well. Often, however, because the colon has been sluggish for so long, it has become severely weakened due to being constantly bathed in toxic waste, stretched from holding excessive amount of stools, and frequently, constricted by chronic tension in the colon. The process of colonic irrigation is excellent for cleansing and healing the colon sufficiently so that changes in diet, exercise, and attitude are then able to produce their effects. Many people find the relief provided by colonics stimulates the motivation and enthusiasm to institute positive changes in their lifestyle.
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Some people say that colonics wash out intestinal flora and valuable
nutrients. Is this so?
The washing out of putrefied material in the large intestine, increases the good intestinal flora. Good bacteria can only breed in a clean environment which has been washed free of putrefaction and it's accompanying harmful bacteria. Each time you clean out the putrefying rubbish and make a better environment for the good flora, they start to multiply immediately in their natural media. It also stands to reason that valuable nutrients can better be
absorbed in a clean environment than in a putrefied one.
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What effect does colonic irrigation have on our immune systems?
The removal of waste material and hardened, impacted toxic residue can rejuvenate the immune tissue that resides in the intestines. Recent European studies speculate that 80% of immune tissue resides in the intestines. This is much higher than previously thought and makes it logical to believe that this type of therapy could influence such immune deficiency diseases as M.E., cancer and A.I.D.S.. Colonic Irrigation is not a cure-all, but an important adjunctive therapy in the overall health care of the client.
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How long does a colonic treatment take?
Most treatments last from 25 - 40 minutes and are usually booked in 1 hour slots. It could also be shorter or longer than that, based upon the judgment of the therapist and sometimes, the wishes of the client / patient. There will also be about 15 minutes required before the colonic for the therapist to go over your medical history (on first appointments this may be longer). Allow another 15 minutes for changing. On a first visit treatment you should expect to spend an hour and a half at the clinic.
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Is there a special kind of water used for colonic irrigation?
Highly filtered water is used, which passes through three separate filters before being heated to the correct temperature. This kind of water is capable of absorbing and flushing more toxins out of the colon because of its drawing effect on solid particles, chemicals and other matter. Tap water should not be used because it already has numerous chemicals and inorganic substances present.
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Will it be okay to eat after having a colonic?
We suggest that you eat at your normal meal time, and consume a moderate
amount of whatever seems gentle and nourishing to you. Salads, vegetable
soups or broths, fruit, juices and smoothies are the best choice.
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Will one colonic completely empty the colon?
Almost never. Firstly, many of us have a considerable amount of impacted
faces in our colon. This is hardened, rubbery or wallpaper like material. Substantial work must be done to remove it. Secondly, there is a subtle learning process involved in receiving colonics. As you become more aware of what is going on in your abdomen, and as your body learns how to allow the cleansing experience, you are better able to enter into that process, and therefore more material is released. One colonic will remove some of the stagnant waste in the colon. The second and subsequent colonics will remove more. How many you may wish to have will depend upon your personal objectives and the advice of your therapist.
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How will I know when the colon is empty?
It will probably never be completely empty, as it's an organ in
continuous use. As more of the old impacted material is released you
will actually feel the water enter higher regions of the colon without
any sense of obstruction. The objective should not be an empty colon,
but rather a well functioning colon.
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Will a colonic clear up my skin?
Your skin actually "breathes" and is an important organ of elimination
of waste material. Sometimes, if the colon, liver or kidneys are
functioning poorly, the skin will be required to make up the difference.
Surface eruptions on the skin of various sorts may occur due to toxins
being released. Cleansing and healing the colon diminishes the burden
placed upon the skin as well as the other organs of elimination: lungs,
liver and kidneys. As elimination is accomplished through its proper
channels, the skin will very often clear up.
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How expensive is a colonic?
Each Clinic / Practitioner charge their own individual prices. These will vary depending on a number of factors including location, experience, association memberships, VAT and other factors. A couple of points to remember are that you get what you pay for and that the cheapest is not necessarily the best!
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This site is a directory and is in no way to be used as a substitute for professional healthcare. Persons with any medical conditions are advised to consult with their respective healthcare practitioners before undertaking any new treatments. Whilst colonicirrigaion.ie updates all information on this site regularly it is the users responsibility to ensure that practitioners are appropriately qualified and insured. This site does not act as a vetting, regulatory, inspection or licensing authority and is for directory purposes only.
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