Colon Hydrotherapy:

A local woman began colon hydrotherapy treatments because she had a systemic yeast infection caused by poor diet, stress, food allergies, and five rounds of antibiotics in 15 months. The yeast infection caused myriad debilitating symptoms, including headaches, abnormal menstruation, recurrent bronchitis, and exhaustion. Ironically, western medicines' "antidotes" were more drugs, including \ antibiotics. After the first two colon hydrotherapy sessions - combined with dietary changes and herbal supplements - her next menstrual period returned to normal, and she was on the road to healing. Colon hydrotherapy is helping her regain the vibrancy, energy, and wellbeing that had eluded her for years.

The large intestine or colon plays a vital role in the digestive process. Digestion is the complex process of converting food for absorption and assimilation by the body. The excess food material is moved through the colon by peristalsis, the rhythmic, wavelike motion of the muscles. The colon absorbs the water and nutrients that have not been absorbed by the small intestine. The colon also forms feces, which consists primarily of water and food wastes (about two-thirds) and living and dead bacteria (about one-third). Bacteria exist naturally in all colons and have come to be classified as "good" and "bad" bacteria. Good bacteria, also known as flora or probiotics, are vital to the digestive process. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria are the two most important probiotics. Candida (yeast) is one of the more common "bad" bacterium.

The ratio of good vs. bad bacteria may be disrupted for a variety of reasons, including antibiotic use, refined carbohydrates, birth control pills, poor digestion/elimination, stress, low-fiber diet, use of steroid drugs (i.e., cortisone), X-rays/radiation therapy, chlorinated water, mercury toxicity, and pollution. In this high-stress world of fast food, increasing pollution, and ever-increasing use/overuse of antibiotics, it is increasingly harder to maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora.

An article in The Boston Globe recently described a study by the University of Michigan that concluded that allergy symptoms in the head might be caused by "bugs in the gut."

"We all have a unique microbial fingerprint - a specific mix of bacteria and fungi living in our stomach and intestines," said Dr. Gary Huffnagle, an associate professor of internal medicine and of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan. "Antibiotics knock out the bacteria in the gut, allowing fungi to take over temporarily until the bacteria grow back after the antibiotics are stopped. Our research indicates that altering intestinal microflora this way can lead to changes in the entire immune system, which may produce symptoms elsewhere in the body."(2)

This is where colon hydrotherapy comes in. Colon hydrotherapy (sometimes called a colonic) is a cleansing process of the large intestine using purified water. There are two basic types of colon hydrotherapy systems: open and closed.

In an open system, the client reclines on a padded backrest. The lower body is comfortably positioned over the bidet-like portion. The client inserts the sterile, disposable rectal nozzle into his/her own rectum, which brings water into the colon. The wasted is expelled into the basin, similar to normal elimination in a toilet. Water continually flows in and waste flows out. During the entire process, the client is draped for privacy and has complete control over the flow of water. An odor exhaust system keeps the room odor-free.

In a closed system, the client lies on a table and a speculum with a two-way tube is inserted into the client's rectum. Water goes in through the "in" tube, and waste is removed through the "out" tube into a closed drain system. The therapist controls filling and emptying of the colon.

A colon hydrotherapy session typically lasts 35-40 minutes. Many clients use colon hydrotherapy to help cleanse the colon of toxins that accumulate from poor diet, lack of exercise, environmental impurities, or unhealthful habits, and to help rebalance the intestinal flora.

Many clients seek colon hydrotherapy because of constipation or diarrhea, which may be caused by an imbalance of intestinal flora. One client suffered with diarrhea for years. She avoided eating in restaurants because of the inevitable "run to the bathroom" after each meal. After only one colon hydrotherapy session she began experiencing normal bowel movements with regularity, and now enjoys dining out with her husband.

The number of colon hydrotherapy sessions needed varies from person to person. The benefits are more long lasting when combined with a commitment to lifestyle changes, including eating more healthful food.

1. Gloria Gilbére, Naturopathic Doctor.

2. "Blame your stomach, not your nose," The Boston Globe, June 1, 2004. Reuters.