EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT COLON IRRIGATION
But Were Afraid to Ask by Lexa Allin Jones

As an instructor of colon irrigation, it is my personal and professional opinion that Colon Therapyis one of the most beneficial modalities available to the public today. In classroom situations, I have the privilege of observing Colonic students, graduates and their “clients” in addition to myself and family in a treatment setting. New students are often amazed that one can be so enthusiastic about this little talked about but very effective treatment.

It is interesting to see how people respond to the suggestion of receiving colon irrigation. Colonics have been around for a long time, but generally people prefer not to talk of or even THINK about the subject. Why this reluctance? Individuals who have developed a healthy respect and acceptance of their bodies seem more free to choose to eat healthfully and consider a wellness approach to living. They usually are aware of the unique association of cause to effect as it relates to diet and health.

How Long Have Colonies Been Practiced?
As early as 1500BC, the Ebers Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian document, recorded enemas being used to cleanse the colon. In the 1800’s people often attended health resorts for the beneficial effects of restorative diets, fresh air and colon irrigations. By 1900, medical doctors were accepting colon irrigation as a practical treatment for diseases and to reduce fevers by ridding the body of toxic waste. By 1935, the medical profession had turned its attentions from the traditional natural remedies toward the “modem" use of vaccines and antibiotic drugs. The natural treatments which had been so effective for hundreds of years were neglected as new therapies were explored.

Today we see a revived interest in the natural health care methods of the past. It has become apparent that the average diet consists largely of fat and animal protein, low fiber, and refined and processed foods. This rich diet contributes to the current, all-time high level of colon-related diseases such as cancer, colitis, ileitis, md diverticulitis, which affect millions of Americans annually. The concerned public has begun to look at root causes instead of simply treating symptoms. Through the use of modern, therapeutic equipment, colon irrigation addresses these causes.

The current trend towards naturopathic medicine has also brought about a revival for colon irrigation among medical doctors, chiropractors and holistic practitioners. The introduction of disposables and state-of-the-art irrigation equipment has eliminated the common objections to colon irrigation.

What is Colon Irrigation?
The modern colon irrigation is a gentle and comfortable procedure using temperature and pressure controlled water to improve colon function and eliminate disease-causing agents. Twenty-five to thirty gallons of distilled or purified water are circulated through the colon for approximately 45 minutes while the client is on the colonic table. The application of abdominal massage with the hydrotherapy helps to loosen impactions. Softened feces are eliminated, odor free, through the colonic equipment and carried directly to the drain line.

The treatment extends to the cecum, cleansing the entire large intestine. It is best used with fasting, for extra cleansing or detoxifying, but should not be used to replace regular eliminations. Colon irrigation, along with nutritional consultation and herbal colon cleansers, improves one’s health by rejuvenating the immune system and creating a healthier condition.

During treatment, one may first experience feelings of fear, discomfort, or exhilaration which may be exchanged for feelings of nausea, dizziness or weakness. These reactions are temporary and result from aicuziiulated toxins being stirred up. Stagnant feces, resulting from weeks, months or years of haustral impaction, are a prime cause of autointoxication. Is it not easyto conclude, therefore, that these toxins are also polluting the organs which are nourished by the extensive vascular network connected to the colon?

Who Can Benefit From Colon Irrigation?
Anyone who suffers from constipation, parasites, bloating, abdominal distention, skin disorders, headache, fecal breath, toxicity, or other similar symptoms may benefit from intestinal cleansing.

What Causes Constipation?
One of the major indications for colon hydrotherapy is constipation. Constipation results from:
• Eating too quickly, not thoroughly masticating food.
• Emotional conflict (anger, fear, jealousy, etc.). Stress, anxiety or tension may prevent or inhibit proper digestion, restricting the release of wastes from the body.
• Drinking liquids with meals. This dilutes digestive juices and tends to pack food in the colon.
• Eating a diet high in fat, animal products, refined processed, canned and fermented or aged foods.
• Physical or anatomical limitations or obstructions.

Will Colon Irrigation Help Remove Parasites?
Parasites are another major health problem in the USA today. It is estimated that 200 million people are infected by intestinal parasites. Worms outrank cancer as man’s deadliest enemy on a world parasites ranging from microscopic sizes to 20 foot long tapeworms. Colonics effectively eliminate many species of intestinal parasites which make their home comfortably in the haustral pockets, cecumn or mucosa lining of the intestinal tract.

During the colon irrigation procedure, fluctuation in water temperature creates a contrast which causes intestinal parasites to release their hold on the intestinal wall. One can readily see many varieties of parasites through the viewing tube of the Toxygen Colonic machine during treatment.

Besides Removing Stagnant, Toxic, Parasitic Feces, What Else is Colon Irrigation For?
• Colon irrigation can improve vascular and lyphatic circulation, muscle tone and reduce the diameter of the colon.
• It is useful in diagnostic preparation for sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies.
• Itis useful for paraplegics and quadrapalegics in bowel maintenance.
• It is exceptionally useful for Detox programs in drug and alcohol centers and effectively eliminates residues of nicotine in the body.

How Often Should Colonics Be Received?
A single colonic irrigation is effective, but rarely gives the long term benefits desired. Subsequent treatments of one or two per week for several weeks until all fecal masses are released is recommended in most cases. Years of abuse can seldom be reversed in a few treatments. When the colon becomes atonic (sluggish, without peristalsis), wastes from as many as nine meals or more can be stored in the stagnant colon. This is known as colon stasis. In general, the lifestyle and condition of the client will determine the frequency of treatments and the duration of therapy required.It is difficult to talk about colon irrigation without talking about diet. Quite frankly, if John Q. Public was eating a proper diet andnot on the SAD program (Standard American Diet), colonics might not be necessary. Plenty of raw fnuits and vegetables, ample water, adequate exercise and temperance would keep the colon cleansed. Unfortunately, few of us lead such regulated lives.

Our bodies need to be re-educated. If we are cleansed of toxins and do not replace theni by continuing poor dietary habits, our natural tendency will be to prefer the healthier choices. The body naturally repels coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and refined, processed, greasy foods in favor of fresh, natural choices: Some may not notice any present problems but bad habits will eventually cause trouble. The better your diet, the better your bowel chemistry.

Are Laxatives Used with Colon Irrigation?
Commercial laxative introduce irritants or toxins into the colon which the body quickly dilutes with extra water and then expels due to the sensitive nerve fibers of the colon. A mild herbal stimulant like 'Swiss Kriss' enhances colon care by activating and encouraging peristalsis. This gentle process eliminates excess fecal matter from the colon, permitting a more thorough cleansingof the haustral impactions and stagnant feces.

Colonic recipients at the school take '$wiss Kriss’ for at least 2 or 3 days before they're, scheduled to receive a colonic treatment, preventing what is known to the trade as a 'blow out’. This happens when fecal impactions are too large to pass through the small 1/2” diameter of the speculum (rectal applicator). With the use of cleansers, the softened stool exits easily through the speculum.

What About Cancer of the Colon?
Cancer of the large intestine is the #2 cause of cancer death in America. About five out of every 100 Americans die from cancer of the colon and rectum. This is most alarming and most of it can be prevented.

Scientists have documented that disease in animals is spread to humans through consumption of the animal flesh. This diseased flesh stays dormant in the warm, moist climate of the large intestine for days, sometimes weeks or longer. With such a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, is there any wonder why Americana are dying at an alarming rate from colon cancer?

There are other risk ractors for cancer of the bowel. Age is importantf The older we get, the more of our DNA gets out of order and our immune system weakens. Genetics also are a significant factor.

Regular colon irrigation can assist in cancer prevention by returning the colon to its natural, healthystate. Good dietary habits will then maintain colon health and proper body functions.

Are Colonics Accepted by the Medical Profession?
I believe that the importance of colon health is one of the areas most neglected by the medical profession today. Currently research indicates almost every chronic disease known to man may be connected to the influence of bacterial toxins absorbed trough the intestine.

Although colon irrigation is not widely accepted by the medical profession, it is certainly becoming more and more recognized. Many synuptoms in the body clear up when the colon is emptied of stagnant feces... headache, bloating, fecal breath, body odors, skin disorders. Just as public awareness of the effect of cholesterol precipitated a dramatic decrease in death from heart attack, proponents of colon irrigation anticipate similar results from increased attention to colon health.

What Basic Principles Maintain Good Colon Health?
Very fortunately the whole prevention movement is converging into a cluster of simple principles of living that all can understand and follow.

• Eat temperately at regular times and reasonable amounts.
• Avoid rich foods (refined, highly processed foods).
• Avoid animal products, especially fried, charcoal broiled, fermented or aged.
• Use whole grains.
• Drink ample water, not with meals, but between meals only.
• Avoid using constipation drugs and medications.
• Get regular, hearty exercise in the open air
• Get adequate rest.
• Learn to let go of stress.

What is the Training Process?
Until a few years ago, all massage theripists had to take 25 hours of colonic training with their massage program. The current requirement for Licensure is 100 hours and will possibly be increased to 200 hours in the near future.