Colon Hydrotherapy (Colonics)
A healthy colon is essential for the absorption of vital nutrients and the natural elimination of bodily waste and toxins. Colon therapy promotes healthy colon function and can ease a range of problems from headache and backache to arthritis and hypertension. 

What Is Colon Hydrotherapy
The colon, along with the skin, kidneys and lungs, is a major organ for eliminating bodily waste. If bowel movements are not consistent, waste products and toxins are not eliminated in a regular manner, and health can be compromised. Colon hydrotherapy is a gentle purified water washing of the large intestine to clean, detoxify and aid in the reconstitution of intestinal flora. The client goes into the colonic room which is softly lit, has soothing music and the gentle sound of running water.  The client is prepared to do the colonic with the aid of the Colonic Assistant who is under the direct supervision of Dr. Smith.  The client lies on the colonic bed and filtered, purified water is run very slowly into the colon. When slight pressure builds up in the colon, the client releases the water and feces.  The waste is released directly into the colonic basin which is physically separated from the client.  To insure maximum sanitation disposable speculums are used.  According to Drew Collins, N.D., of Prescott Valley, AZ, “The therapeutic goals of colon therapy are to balance body chemistry, eliminate waste, and restore proper tissue and organ function.”

How Do The Intestines Get Out Of Shape?
Everything we put in our mouth touches and effects the walls of the stomach, small intestine and colon.  When these substances or their by-products are toxic, they damage the intestinal wall and cells, intoxicate the nerves and glands  and can be absorbed through the walls into the blood and lymph and ultimately to the cells and tissue.

The main dietary offenders are animal products, salt, sugar, flour, food additives, chemicals and drugs. In addition, a sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise will also contribute to an unhealthy digestive system.

Why Do People Receive Colon Hydrotherapy?
Many receive the treatments during a period of life-style change or as a preventive measure.  A number come in during a fast, a cleansing program, a raw food diet, a liver and/or gallbladder flush or recovering from an accident.  Athletes have opted for colon therapy to improve metabolic efficiency.  Another group manifests symptoms of intestinal distress; constipation, carbohydrate indigestion, diarrhea, gas, bloating, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, colitis, parasites, skin conditions such as psoriasis, shingles, and eczema, inability to loose weight and scar tissue and adhesions from surgery.  A number of clients are immune-compromised with lupus, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, cancer, chronic fatigue, Epstein-Barre, candida, infections, colds or influenza.

Colon hydrotherapy sessions are used to cleanse the colon for medical procedures such as colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, surgery and barium enemas.

The Colon’s Role In Health And Disease
The colon is a key component of the gastrointestinal (GI) system, the largest system in the body.  The length of the gastrointestinal tract is between 28 and 30 feet, with a surface area of nearly 6000 square feet.

The proper functioning of the colon is essential to overall health.  When the colon is unable to function efficiently, an accumulation of toxins can build up in the lymph, bloodstream and intestines.  Its proper function is dependent on:

A whole foods diet:  Especially recommended are such high-fiber foods as grains, legumes, vegetables and fruit.

A balance of favorable bacteria:  A healthy GI tract contains nearly 60 varieties of bacteria or microflora which aid digestion, promote the manufacturing of vital nutrients, help to maintain proper pH (acid-base) balance  and keep harmful bacteria in check.

Healthy colonic mucosa: The mucosa, or surface cell layer lining the intestines, allows for the passage of nutrients into the bloodstream, secretes hormones and lubricants and prevents the absorption of toxins.

Proper muscle tone:  Approximately fifteen contractive movements occur in the colon per minute.  Known as peristalsis, this action moves food through the intestinal tract and helps to maximize absorption of valuable liquid and nutrients, while eliminating the stool.

Timely evacuation of waste:  Regular bowel movement and elimination prevents the buildup of toxic substances that result from putrefaction and excessive fermentation. Two to three bowel movements per day is advisable.

Autointoxication
Autointoxication is the process of the body literally poisoning itself on its own toxins.  If the colon is not functioning properly, the waste matter will not be eliminated and the toxic residue will be re-absorbed into the body, causing autointoxication.

The body will then attempt to use secondary organs of elimination, like the skin.  The toxic material seeps back into the bloodstream, and then is deposited into hair follicles.  This is why people with poorly functioning colons often also have unhealthy looking skin.  Autointoxication may result in numerous health problems - from acne to stomach pains, from headaches to joint pain.  It creates an internal environment where germs and viruses can feed, multiply and flourish.  Every tissue is fed by the blood which is supplied by the intestinal system.  It is the intestinal system that has to be cared for first before any effective healing can take place.  Until you cleanse your organs, your natural remedies will be useless and you won’t cure your illnesses.  Some are cellular waste materials of our own making, toxic by-products of metabolism.  Others consist of environmental pollutants, pesticides and poisons ingested into our system though the air we breathe, the foods we eat and the water we drink.

Leaky Gut Syndrome
When toxic matter and undigested food, collected in the intestines as a result of autointoxication, are absorbed from the bowels into the bloodstream, the result is a recognized medical condition known as “leaky gut syndrome.”

The undigested food molecules act as antigens, foreign substances that provoke an immune reaction.  Many of these antigens are similar in structure to normal body components, and the antibodies produced to fight them can destroy healthy tissues. Recent studies suggest this immune reaction contributes to, or may cause, rheumatoid arthritis and other degenerative and autoimmune diseases.

Bacteria and their toxic by-products can also be absorbed from the bowels into the bloodstream.  A deficiency of secretory IgA, an antibody in the colon that binds food and bacterial antigens, can cause an influx of antigens from the bowels into the bloodstream.  "These antigens can induce autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease, myasthenia gravis and some forms of meningitis", according to Patrick Donovan, N.D.

Toxins that enter the bloodstream from the colon also burden the liver, circulatory system, lymphatic system, and excretory organs such as the lungs and kidneys.  Because the liver plays such a vital role in clearing the blood of toxins, any impairment of liver function may aggravate the damage already done by bowel toxemia.

A Typical Colon Therapy Session
A single session lasts about 35 minutes minutes and uses 2 to 6 liters of water.  Colonic irrigation cleans the entire five feet of the colon, unlike an enema which cleanses only the sigmoid colon, the lower eight to twelve inches of the bowel.

It is advisable to eat and drink lightly prior to colon therapy.  After colon therapy, gentle, nourishing food should be taken, such as vegetable soups, broths and fruit and vegetable juices.

One colon therapy session may not be enough to produce major benefits. It may be necessary to have several if you have long-standing complaints or a serious problem with constipation.

Conditions Benefited By Colon Therapy
“Colon Therapy releases toxins, cleanses the body, stimulates the immune system, and aids in restoring the pH balance in the body,” says Connie Allred, President of the American Colon Therapy Association.  Colon therapy can help relieve a wide range of symptoms related to colon dysfunction, including:

Backache
Bloating
Indigestion
Skin problems
Bad breath
Loss of concentration
Constipation
Sinus Congestion
Coated Tongue      
Headache
Gas
Lung congestion

Colon therapy also helps to re-establish regular bowel movements by restoring muscle tone and normal peristalsis.  According to Dr. Collins, as the squeezing action of peristalsis moves the blood and lymph in the region of the colon, the cells lining the colon excrete toxins and waste products into both the colon and bloodstream for elimination.

Peristalsis also stimulates the liver to produce more bile. Increased bile production aids the absorption of lipids (liquid fats) and fat soluble vitamins, aids in the removal of immune complexes (substances formed when antibodies attach to antigens), and assists in the breakdown of cholesterol.  Increased bile production also induces proper blood clotting and helps prevent the production of gallstones.  Colon therapy can also help rid the body of parasites.

The physical goals of each session are to hydrate the system, remove waste, stimulate peristalsis, rehabilitate the nerves, muscles, glands, circulatory and immune system that form the components of the digestive system and to reposition the intestines.