Colon Hydrotherapy for Constipation
The colon, the last portion of the digestive system, collects food wastes and absorbs liquid from the stool before it is evacuated. If this process moves sluggishly, more liquid than desirable may be removed, and the fecal matter can become dry, hard, and densely packed. When fecal matter remains in the colon for an extended amount of time, it will ferment, causing bloating and gas as well as a feeling of general discomfort. Colon hydrotherapy, by washing away the hardened fecal matter, brings relief right away from those uncomfortable symptoms. Colon hydrotherapy is not painful, and you can be assured that it is not embarrassing or undignified; it is more appropriately thought of as a healthy practice used to detoxify the body.
What Causes Constipation?
Constipation is a common digestive problem characterized by infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Constipation occurs when the colon absorbs too much water from the food moving through it while it is forming waste products, or stool. It also occurs when slow muscle contractions in the colon result in the stool becoming solid and hard to eliminate. Constipation may be caused by several factors among which are low-fiber diets, inactivity, pregnancy, laxative abuse, dehydration, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Why Should I Consider Colon Hydrotherapy to Relieve Constipation?
Gentle and natural, colon hydrotherapy introduces purified water into the colon to cleanse it and relieve discomfort. Rather than involving only the rectum, as an enema does, colon hydrotherapy can cleanse and soothe the entire colon. It relieves constipation without subjecting the body to chemical laxatives by flushing away impacted food wastes with sterilized, body-temperature water. The colon hydrotherapist usually enhances the cleansing action of the fluid by gently massaging the patient’s abdomen during the procedure. An herbal preparation may be added to the water to soothe and relax irritated tissues. Colon hydrotherapy, when practiced by a licensed practitioner, is safe, effective, and painless. The therapist may offer to provide relaxing music or even reading material during the procedure.
What Benefits Can I Expect from a Colon Hydrotherapy Session?
Relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of constipation is just one of the benefits that patients report after colon hydrotherapy. Since today’s diet inevitably includes many toxins, those toxins tend to accumulate in the colon, and they also are flushed away with colon hydrotherapy. Most people comment immediately after the procedure that they feel lighter, and that that they have a feeling of energy and well-being. In addition, there are other benefits which you can’t see or feel, but which improve the way the body processes food wastes. For instance, beneficial bacteria, which produce vitamin K and part of the B complex, grow and function properly when they are not hampered by the debris of constipation. In addition, the muscles that move food waste through the colon are better able to perform their job when the colon is cleansed. Some patients also report that colon hydrotherapy has aided them in weight-loss programs.
How Should I Prepare for a Colon Hydrotherapy Treatment?
Before making an appointment for a colon hydrotherapy session, consult with your primary health provider. Check to be sure that you do not have any particular health conditions that might indicate against using colon hydrotherapy, For instance, people with heart or kidney issues usually need to avoid colon hydrotherapy. People with specific digestive disorders and pregnant women will most likely find the procedure inadvisable.
Although you may have been tempted to use a laxative because of the discomfort of constipation, it is better to avoid these preparations before colon hydrotherapy, since their chemicals can irritate the tissues of the colon. Some colon hydrotherapists recommend that their patients drink a specified amount of water or raw vegetable juice in the days just before the procedure.
What Happens During a Colon Hydrotherapy Session?
Before the procedure, the practitioner usually spends some time talking with the patient to explain how colon therapy works and to help him or her feel at ease. Then the patient, dressed in a comfortable, loose-fitting gown or robe, lies in a comfortable position on the back or side, with knees slightly bent. Ordinarily, a large towel is placed over the abdomen and thighs to assure the patient’s comfort and dignity. The therapist then places a sterilized nozzle into the anal opening, sliding it gently into the colon. Through a plastic tube, purified water is gradually introduced into the colon. Some practitioners add herbal solutions to the cleansing water.
Although the usual procedure is to keep the water at body temperature, the therapist may choose to vary the temperature slightly for therapeutic reasons. He or she may also vary slightly the pressure at which the cleansing agent is infused. After a few moments, the therapist stops the water flow and gently massages the patient’s abdomen, dislodging hardened fecal matter from the sides of the colon. Then additional courses of cleansing water follow, in order to reach throughout the length of the colon. After each cleansing, the used water and debris are evacuated from the colon, through a second plastic tube.
A colon hydrotherapy session usually takes approximately an hour and a half. About 15 minutes are needed at the beginning of the session to take the patient’s medical history and to discuss any questions the patient may have. Another 15 minutes are reserved for the patient to change into a robe or gown. The cleansing procedure itself usually takes about 45 minutes. During this time, the patient may want to listen to some favorite music or even to read a bit. After the colon hydrotherapy session is completed, the therapist may also take some time for a brief consultation to discuss ways in which diet and exercise may help to prevent further problems with constipation.
How Can I Locate a Licensed Colon Hydrotherapist?
Licensing procedures vary widely from one state, province, or country to another. You will want to be very sure to locate a practitioner who is licensed through a well-recognized agency or medical facility. Many physicians offer hydrotherapy as part of their practice, though not all hydrotherapists are trained in medicine or naturopathy.