Interested in learning more about colonic irrigation in Toronto? Perhaps colonics are already a part of your regular digestive health regimen. Whatever your past experience, the D’Avignon Digestive Health Centre provides an abundance of information to help walk you through the process (scroll through or click on any link to drop down for details):
When applied to the reality of daily life, what these facts tell us is that incomplete or disordered digestion is a major contributor to the onset of many chronic and degenerative diseases. The bad news is that the pervasiveness of digestive illness is largely due to our modern lifestyle. The good news, however, is that we can exercise a good deal of control over many aspects of our lifestyle. The following tree chart lists the numerous factors which impact on the digestive process.
1. What is colon hydrotheraphy?
Colon hydrotherapy, or colonics, is a centuries-old therapy using filtered water to flush accumulated fecal waste, harmful bacteria, intestinal parasites, gas and mucus from the colon. It is a safe and gentle yet powerful way to cleanse the body, and to make all body systems and organs more efficient.
The practice of using water to flush waste from the colon as a form of therapy dates as far back as 1300 B.C. An ancient Greek medical text called the Eber Papyrus (named after George Eber, a German professor who had the text translated in 1873) extols the virtues of cleansing the colon via the rectum. Early fathers of medicine Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) and Galen (129-210) were strong proponents of colon cleansing as a medicinal tool. Ambrosio Paré (1517-1590), a French physician, was the first to describe colon hydrotherapy (also known as colon irrigation or colonics) in detail and to differentiate it from an enema. The 1906 edition of the Larousse Illustrated Medical Dictionary includes information on the uses of enemas and colon hydrotherapy.
Into the 20th century, pioneering physicians including Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (of Kellogg's cereal fame), Dr. Norman Walker and Dr. Bernard Jensen stressed the importance of receiving regular colonics as part of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, until the 1930's, colon hydrotherapy was commonly practiced in many hospitals and doctors' offices, attesting to its legitimacy. Regrettably, the advent of pharmacology and the ensuing ubiquity of pharmaceuticals relegated colonics to virtual obsolescence for several decades.
Since the 1970's, however, there has been a grassroots resurgence of interest in the health benefits and healing potential of colon hydrotherapy. Hectic schedules, high levels of stress, a growing dependence on nutrient-deficient processed and fast foods, artificial food additives and preservatives, sedentary lifestyles, alcohol consumption, smoking, recreational and prescription drug use, thousands of toxic chemicals in every day household and industrial products, environmental pollution, soil depletion - these are some of the common contributing factors to a general decline in people's health, producing conditions ranging from a vague feeling of malaise to more serious chronic and degenerative disease states. Ultimately, the body is burdened by toxic overload as it is not designed to cope with these hazards in the excessive quantity and frequency to which it has become exposed.
The consequences of these excesses have left many people searching for ways to regain their lost vitality. Drugs and surgery have become the interventions of choice in the field of medicine. However, although typically prescribed, drugs and surgery are limited in their effectiveness as a means of prevention. In fact, they are of little value until after the onset of illness. The use of drugs and surgery as a cure is also restricted. Because they tend to target a specific symptom rather than addressing the relationship between a symptom and the rest of the body, drugs and surgery generally do not address the underlying disturbances which caused illness to occur, leaving the door open for symptoms to recur or for new symptoms to develop. While modern medicine can be of invaluable service in certain critical circumstances, more and more people are seeking holistic health care alternatives to help alleviate illness before it reaches a critical stage.
As a holistic preventative and healing therapy, colon hydrotherapy is beyond comparison. It is widely practiced in the United Kingdom and in many European countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Switzerland. In North America, a growing number of people are experiencing the far-reaching benefits of colonics as word spreads about this unique therapy and as more holistic practitioners offer colonics as an integral part of health care. This introductory guide provides you with important information about how colonics can play a major role in helping you achieve and maintain optimal health and vitality. After you have read the guide, you are invited to call the D'AVIGNON Digestive Health Centre to discuss your own health issues, whether you are looking for help with a particular condition, or are simply interested in maintaining good health, and in learning more about how a clean colon means a clean bill of health.
3. What is the difference between an enema and a colonic?
The basic principle behind enemas and colonics is the same: both are methods used to flush waste from the colon via water introduced into the rectum. Both can be highly effective in stimulating the colon to eliminate putrefactive waste from the body. However, there are notable differences between the two.
During an enema, a quantity of water, usually between a quarter litre to one litre, is taken into the body, where it travels approximately 6 to 8 inches up the colon, is held briefly, and almost immediately expelled. Although this procedure is of a relatively short duration, retaining such a volume of water can be uncomfortable. Also, self-administering requires that the person doing the enema be mindful of all aspects of the procedure as it is carried out, which may make it difficult to feel relaxed.
Colonics tend to be more soothing and thorough, and less inconvenient. The mechanics of colonics involve a large container filled with filtered water which flows into a tube. This tube is attached to a disposable hard plastic instrument called a proctoscope. Once the proctoscope is gently inserted into the rectum, a second tube is attached which carries waste matter and water out of the body and directly into the septic system. Water entering the body travels through the colon and exits into the waste tube in a continuous flow. In this way, water is able to travel the entire length of the colon (approximately 5 to 5 1/2 feet), reaching all the way to the cecum, the farthermost region of the colon where waste matter and parasites typically settle. A membranous flap called the ileocecal valve separates the colon from the small intestine, preventing water from flowing beyond the colon. There is no mess and no odour as the water and waste are completely
contained.
This procedure holds several advantages over a simple enema. Because water flows continuously in and out of the body, a much greater quantity of water, between 10 and 50 litres, is flushed through the colon. This allows water to completely permeate the folds of the colon and to saturate the impacted waste throughout the entire length of the colon. Also, water filling the space within the colon exerts a slight pressure against the muscle tissue of the colon wall, stimulating muscle action which provides exercise for the colon, helping to tone and reshape a weakened colon. Another advantage is that the Colon Therapist is responsible for administering the colonic, allowing the person receiving the treatment to remain relaxed and comfortable without concern for the mechanical aspects of the procedure.
4. Can colon hydrotheraphy help relieve specific symptoms or conditions?
Most definitely. Colonics are of great benefit to conditions involving compromised digestion and elimination, such as constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating, indigestion, yeast infections (candida), diverticula, intestinal parasites, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel. However, colonics can also be extremely valuable in alleviating symptoms associated with allergies, asthma, acne, aczema, psoriasis, arthritis, rheumatism, osteoporosis, poor circulation, high cholesterol, headaches, low energy and fatigue, memory loss, poor concentration, anxiety, irritability, depression, lack of sexual desire and weight gain.
5. How can one therapy have such a wide range of benefits?
When waste matter is not efficiently eliminated from the colon, it becomes impacted and eventually putrefies and turns toxic. These toxins are absorbed into the bloodstream through the colon wall, where they travel throughout the body and eventually settle in various tissues. The stress created by these toxic deposits weakens the body, and can cause or aggravate a multitude of symptoms. Colon hydrotherapy cleanses the colon, helping to prevent the absorption of toxins into the bloodstream, and provides a clearing for the body to release trapped toxins so that these can be properly eliminated. Facilitating the optimal efficiency of practically all body processes, and thereby preventing the onset or degeneration of illness, is what makes colonics a useful part of virtually any treatment for virtually any condition.
6. Are there other benefits to colonics?
There are many. By relieving the body of toxic build-up, colon hydrotherapy can dramatically improve bowel function. Whereas accumulated fecal matter promotes the growth of undesirable bacteria and their toxic by-products, a clean colon allows beneficial bacteria to proliferate. These beneficial bacteria manufacture important vitamins, including biotin, which is essential for the proper breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins and fats; cobalamin (vitamin B12), which promotes red blood cell formation and assists in the production of neurotransmitters (chemicals that transmit nerve impulses); and vitamin K, a key factor in normal blood-clotting and in the development of healthy bone structure. Beneficial bacteria also produces lactic acid, which creates an antagonistic environment for other types of unwelcome bacteria.
Toxic build-up in the colon not only upsets the balance of intestinal bacteria, it promotes mucus formation as a protective mechanism to "disable" toxic organisms. Waste and mucus become encrusted and adhere to the colon wall, preventing the proper transfer of vitamins and minerals into the body, and of waste and debris out of the body. A congested colon can have adverse effects on other systems of elimination and detoxification, such as the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, lungs and skin, as these attempt to cope with toxic excess. What results is a loss of energy and vitality which create symptoms that can ultimately degenerate into illness.
As the water enters the body and fills the space within the colon, it applies a gentle pressure against the muscles of the colon wall, provoking a contraction-like action called peristalsis. Peristalsis is the mechanism by which waste matter is propelled throughout the colon and ultimately excreted. Impacted fecal matter inhibits peristalsis, weakening the muscle tissue and distorting the size and shape of the colon. In certain areas, waste matter will accumulate and stretch the colon wall, creating "pouches" which may become enlarged as they continue to trap waste. In other areas, the colon will spasm as the muscles strain in an attempt to contract, creating a narrowing of the colon which restricts the passage of fecal waste. As the weight of accumulating waste
increases, the colon droops and becomes displaced, resulting in what is called a prolapse.
Colon hydrotherapy is a therapy in a class all its own: it gently cleanses the colon of hardened fecal waste and toxins, it helps to re-establish a healthy gut ecology, and it is unique in its ability to restore the shape and muscle tone of the bowel to allow for regular and normal bowel movements. These attributes make colon hydrotherapy an invaluable part of health maintenance and disease prevention, and an important ally for sustained youthful vigour and vitality.
7. What is it like to get a colonic?
Prior to your session you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire which will inform your Colon Therapist about your current health status and any concerns you may have. Your Colon Therapist welcomes your questions, and will ensure that any question is answered to your satisfaction.
When you arrive at the Centre, your Colon Therapist will explain how the passive gravity colonic method works, and every step of the process will be covered in detail (See question #4). Except for the brief moments that allow for the insertion of the proctoscope, you will be completely covered.
Throughout your session, your Colon Therapist takes care to ensure that you feel relaxed and comfortable. An entire colonic session lasts between 45 minutes to one hour, during which time your Colon Therapist and you will have the opportunity to discuss matters related to your eating habits, digestion, and overall health. You will be given pertinent feedback based on your Colon Therapist's observations, and you will gain useful information for maintaining or improving your health. After your session, you are likely to feel light and refreshed and have a greater sense of well-being.
8. How often should a person go for colon hydrotherapy?
While each person is different both in their needs and responses, it is generally advisable to begin with a series of 6 to 8 colonics, with the 3 or 4 a few days apart. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, water acts as a solvent to soften and break up encrusted waste; as colonics is a gentle therapy, this process must be repeated in order to allow the water to fully saturate hardened fecal matter, and to permeate areas where accumulation or blockages have occurred. Secondly, restoring the shape and muscle tone of the colon requires that the colon be exercised over a period of time, in much the same way as any other muscle would require a regular workout to keep it strong and toned.
The benefits of colonics can be accelerated and intensified by taking a soluble fibre supplement throughout the course of a series. Soluble fibre adds bulk to fecal waste, causing it to swell and push against the wall of the colon. As mentioned earlier, pressure exerted against the colon wall provokes the colon to contract, propelling waste along the bowel. Many people lack sufficient fibre in their diet, resulting in an inability or inconsistent ability for the colon to form stool of a normal size and shape that can be easily passed. Fibre also acts as a potent cleanser, attracting encrusted waste and absorbing mucus and debris which lacks the substance to form into stool.
Once the initial cleansing has taken place, receiving colonics on a regular basis is helpful to prevent illness and maintain good health. Undergoing a series of colonics during a change in season, particularly in the spring and fall, is especially beneficial, as is having colonics at the onset of symptoms of illness such as:
1) following a barium enema, and
2) prior to embarking on a therapeutic fast or cleansing program
9. What are the qualifications of a Colon Therapist?
The Colon Therapists at the D'Avignon Digestive Health Centre are Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioners (RNCP) as well as Certified Colon Therapists. Nutritional training ensures that your therapist is knowledgeable about the digestive process, the connection between food and health, and how to use food to promote wellness and healing for specific conditions. Certification as a Colon Therapist ensures that your therapist has a sound understanding of the principles, practice and application
of colon hydrotherapy.
10. Are there situations where colon hydrotherapy is not recommended?
Where there are certain pre-existing conditions, it may be inappropriate to undergo colonics:
These conditions cause symptoms to manifest which make apparent the need to refrain from colonics, and under no circumstances will colonics cause any of the conditions listed above to occur.
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in men (behind lung and prostate cancer) and women (behind lung and breast cancer). It is estimated that 1 in 15 men and 1 in 16 women will develop colon cancer in their lifetime, and that 1 in 29 men and 1 in 31 women will die from colon cancer. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the following factors can increase the risk of developing colon cancer:
Each one of these factors can either directly or indirectly contribute to the accumulation of putrefactive waste in the colon, and in most instances, their cumulative effects over time may prove especially harmful. The fact that colon cancer tends to manifest after the age of 50 may have less to do with aging than with the fact that toxic waste material has been left to linger in the colon, sometimes for decades, eventually causing damage to surrounding cells and tissue.
A common predisposing factor for developing cancer is the presence of polyps in the colon. Initially, polyps are usually benign and cause no noticeable symptoms. However, most colon cancers develop from polyps. For this reason, medical health practitioners recommend that persons over the age of 50 undergo a colon screening every 3 to 5 years in order to detect polyps in their early stages when they can be surgically removed. Once tissue growths have advanced into cancer, symptoms of colon
cancer are typically non-specific, and can include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, changes in bowel habits, abdominal bloating, constipation or diarrhea, narrow stool, and red or dark blood in the stool. These symptoms are not necessarily indicative of colon cancer, but may be a sign of a precancerous condition. Unfortunately, colon cancer can be well advanced before it is detected. Presently, the most common treatment for colon cancer is surgery, whereby the affected portion of the colon is removed.
While surgery may be effective for removing precancerous or cancerous growths, it cannot prevent cancer from occurring, and it does nothing to address the cause of the cancer. Cancer is an opportunistic disease, which means it can only exist in an environment conducive to its development. A clean, strong, healthy colon is not conducive to cancer. In fact, the medical community recognizes the importance of keeping the colon clean by recommending a higher intake of fibre. The following quote is taken from MedicineNet.com, an allopathic medicine information source:
“...high fibre in the diet leads to the creation of bulky stools which can rid the intestines of potential carcinogens. In addition, fibre leads to more rapid transit of fecal material through the intestine, thus allowing less time for a potential carcinogen to react with the intestinal lining.”
The message is clear: potential carcinogens are less likely to form, if at all, in a clean colon. Keeping the colon clean, however, poses a challenge for most people with modern dietary and lifestyle habits. Fibre alone is inadequate to remove hardened, putrefactive toxic waste matter which has adhered to the colon wall, and which poses a serious risk of cellular degeneration. Colon hydrotherapy helps to restore the normal, health-promoting functions of the colon as it loosens and rids the body of encrusted fecal waste, while at the same time improving the shape and muscle tone of the colon. This unique therapy with unique preventive and curative potential is for virtually anyone interested in safeguarding their health.
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