The large intestine is an essential part of the digestive tract. Aside from aiding in the digestion of food, it also eliminates waste products. However, with several tempting foods on the market, it’s so easy to stray from healthy eating. Poor diet leads to constipation and other gastrointestinal problems. When the colon is clogged with accumulated feces, it cannot properly do its job.
In fact, an unhealthy colon could poison all other organs. If feces are not removed from the body within 24 hours, they build up in the walls of the large intestine. This would release harmful toxins and toxic gases. The blood would then become polluted, which would eventually infect the organs through which it flows.
An ancient practice for cleansing the colon of this toxic waste is colon hydrotherapy. Some call it colonic irrigation or simply colonic therapy. Basically it is the injection of certain amounts of water at defined intervals. The whole treatment may take a while depending on the severity of the colon problems.
Colon hydrotherapy is similar to enema. Enema is also a treatment to cleanse the colon. Their only difference is that colon hydrotherapy is much more extensive. While the enema only cleans the lower part, colon hydrotherapy aims to clean the entire large intestine, which is about 5 feet long.
Enema has been around for several centuries. However, it was not until the late 19th century that full colon cleansing gained traction. This started with the popularity of the idea of auto-intoxication. It has been suggested that by releasing toxins from accumulated feces in the colon into the bloodstream, the body could be poisoning itself.
During colon hydrotherapy, the patient is asked to lie on their side or back. The therapist then inserts a soft plastic tube into the patient’s rectum. A measured amount of filtered water is then pumped into the colon. Depending on the practitioner, the water may also contain “cleansing” substances such as herbs and natural enzymes.
The colon hydrotherapist may begin by gently massaging the patient’s abdomen to help release fecal buildup in the colon walls. When you’re done, the water is sucked out again using the same hose and sent to a closed waste container. The entire process is carried out gently and there is no dirt or bad smells during and after the treatment.
If this process is repeated several times, the entire treatment can last up to an hour. The total water used in these numerous treatments is approximately 20 gallons. Almost all the water pumped in is removed at the end, so you don’t have to run to the toilet afterwards.
Should you decide to have a comprehensive colon cleanse, you need to choose your doctor carefully. The treatment is delicate and hence you would need to ensure that the facilities and equipment to be used are clean. Usually all equipment used is disposable and well sterilized to avoid infection.
It should be noted that colon hydrotherapy is considered an alternative medical treatment. Some colon hydrotherapists voluntarily go through a certification process. There are also several organizations of colon hydrotherapists. An example is the International Association of Colon Hydrotherapy or I-ACT in the United States.
For general health checks, colon hydrotherapy once a year should be sufficient. However, pregnant women in the third trimester should not undergo this treatment. Colon hydrotherapy is also not recommended for people with severe hemorrhoids, abdominal hernia, heart disease, amoebic dysentery and diverticulitis among other health problems. You would need to discuss your current medical condition with your gut therapist first to ensure there are no complications.
This alternative medical practice is currently regulated in some states. Several conventional medical institutions insist that colon hydrotherapy is just an expensive laxative. In the United States, it usually costs around $65 to $80.
However, there are no scientifically proven therapeutic claims for colon hydrotherapy. In fact, several patients have reported feeling much more energetic and lighter after the treatment. There is also evidence that colon hydrotherapy helps treat numerous ailments such as indigestion, headaches, allergies, skin problems and even joint problems.
Complementary treatments to cleanse the colon include aerobic exercise and a low-fat, high-fiber, vegetarian diet. Even licensed physicians agree that red meat and fatty foods are the top contributors to gut health issues.
Thanks to Lee Dobbins
