***Content supplied by our partner, Bottoms Up Therapeutics, Australia Gold Coast Clinic***
Are you considering colon hydrotherapy? Read below to find out more.
Did you know the colon is the “second brain” in our bodies, with more neurotransmitters than our spine? It’s also where we produce and store serotonin (our happy drug). Cleansing the body of toxins can benefit you emotionally as well as physically.
- Less headaches
- Increased energy levels
- Sharper thinking
- Clearer skin
- Weight loss
- A natural desire to eat well
- Improved sleep quality
- Improved state of mind
- Improved PMT symptoms
What issues can a colon cleanse help with?
- Constipation
- Fecal loading
- Fecal leakage
- Diarrhea
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Celiac disease
- Painful periods/regulating cycles
- Hormone fluctuations
- Allergies and sensitive tummies
How do I know Colon Hydrotherapy will be useful for me?
Symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating, or gastrointestinal pain may alert you to colon distress. In the case of a serious heart condition or acute inflammatory conditions of the colon, such as diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease, your physician can best determine the appropriateness of the procedure.
From a naturopathic perspective, we believe that cleansing the colon may be valuable to minimize the effects of dietary and environmental stressors, as well as the impact on the immune system of toxins regularly bombarding us.
It is our belief that everyone can benefit from a gentle colon cleansing. Today’s refined, processed foods, high in saturated fats and low in fiber contributes to a poor colon, in addition to high stress, allergies, and medications.
The colon contains the largest concentration of bacteria in the body. Waste material allowed to stagnate alters the proportion of friendly bacteria to unfriendly bacteria, disrupting the balance of microorganisms essential to a healthy colon and the body in general.
What happens during the procedure?
Colon Hydrotherapy is the safe, gentle infusion of warm multi-filtered water into and out of the rectum and large intestine.
To begin, the therapist will suggest a trip to the restroom to empty the bladder. After disrobing from the waist down and putting on a gown, you will be covered with a sheet, reclining on a padded massage table. At the foot of the table is a wall unit displaying a temperature gauge, pressure gauge and an observation tube. A disposable speculum 3/4’s of an inch in diameter (more narrow than a healthy bowel movement) is partially inserted with a round-tipped applicator approximately 2-3 inches into the rectum. Two tubes are attached and extend from the outer speculum portion into the wall unit. The inflow carries water to infuse your colon and the outflow expels that water along with the waste it loosens up.
The Colon Hydrotherapist is present throughout the procedure, closely monitoring the temperature and the water pressure while paying particular attention to minimizing any discomfort.
Immediately upon your feeling full, she releases the water and waste material, which travels through a glass viewing tube within the wall unit and into the drainage system. While you are emptying, the Hydrotherapist gently massages your abdomen, encouraging an easier and more complete elimination.
This cycle of filling and emptying is repeated several times during the 40 – 50 minutes that you are on the table. Gravity will help to eliminate any excess water and waste. To ensure safety, the disposable packet is thrown away and the instrument is sterilized. The session lasts approximately one hour, leaving time for a trip to the toilet at the end. Longer sessions are available if necessary.
How many sessions will I need?
Our practitioner can help you determine the number of sessions suitable to your unique needs following the first session. We typically recommend a series of three sessions: preferably two within four days and then another session one week later or one weekly session for three weeks. Afterward, weekly or biweekly visits for another series may be beneficial. The sessions build on each other, especially if you follow a healthy diet and eliminate dairy, sugar, wheat, and fats as much as possible during this period.
As a preventive maintenance plan, monthly or seasonal sessions are great options. We believe that periodic cleansing of the colon accelerates the healing potential of your body when supported by a diet of non-mucus-forming foods; in addition to consuming adequate amounts of water, getting exercise, and managing stress.
Contact our office for more information.