Colon Hydrotherapy: The Ultimate Detox

In recent years, colon hydrotherapy has become the lastest celebrity health fad in a long history of exotic diet and detox practices. Damon Wayans was chatting up “colonics” (the term for a colon hydrotherapy session) on Howard Stern’s radio show recently, while Usher was profiled on E! as an avid user. “Always start any detox program with the colon,” advises colon hydrotherapist, Felicia J. Turnbough, R.N, BSN, of Cleansing Waters Wellness Center in Stockbridge, GA. Only then can you effectively move on to the ever popular liver and kidney cleanses or detox diets, experts urge.

Princess Diana was also an outspoken fan of colon hydrotherapy, which uses sterile water to flush debris from the colon, reportedly to remove toxic build up. The movie star icon, Mae West, believed in the benefits of colon cleansing, which she claimed greatly contributed to her unusual vitality and lasting beauty during her senior years. Perhaps you’ve wondered about the procedure (in a less public way) and what it could do for your own beauty and vitality – The health payoff, according to promoters, is a strengthening of muscles in the digestive tract, restored pH balance, better assimilation of nutrients, a feeling of heightened energy, a stimulated immune system, an overall boost in health and vitality, and improved regularity.

The procedure itself is carried out by a certified colon hydrotherapist, who inserts a disposable plastic hose, which is connected to an FDA-approved irrigation machine on one end, and into you via a speculum, on the other end. In a “closed” system, The hydrotherapist oversees the entire 30 to 40 minute procedure, adjusting the volume and temperature of the water pumped in, under gentle pressure. The water is released out through an evacuation hose in cycles, washing impacted waste from the colon walls and leaving your internal plumbing far less toxic, according to certified colon hydrotherapist, Amber Wimby of the Health and Longevity Center in Atlanta. If that paragraph was hard to get through, brace yourself: According to the therapists, most people are carrying around 10 to 25 pounds of dried fecal matter inside their colon, which could contribute to a litany of maladies, including constipation, diarrhea, frequent headaches, backaches, fatigue, bad breathe, body odor, irritability, overweight, skin problems, abdominal gas and bloating, joint problems and lower back pain. Because the typical American diet is so desperately low in fiber and so astronomically high in processed foods, fatty meat, refined sugar and various preservatives and toxic chemicals, the necessity of colon hydrotherapy is absolute, according to Turnbough. “Even if you have had a decent diet, we live in a toxic environment,” adds Turnbough.

Doctors traditionally disagree on the value of colon hydrotherapy and the American Gastroenterological Association [www.gastro.org] refuses to make an official judgment. “We have no position on colonic irrigation,” says Carole Anikis of the AGA News Bureau. Although, many gastros strongly sanction the procedure, like board-certified Gastrointestinal surgeon, Leonard Smith, a specialist of more than 25 years, who fully endorses the procedure, especially for ill patients and specifically cancer patients. “Seriously ill patients tend to be chronically constipated, which results in generalized toxemia,” Smith says. He asserts that frequent colon hydrotherapy keeps that toxicity to a minimum, aiding in recovery. He recommends healthy people use colon hydrotherapy every couple of months, but post chemo patients or anyone who has recently been on a lot of medication benefits tremendously.

However, opposing doctors question the value and safety of colon hydrotherapy. “It has definite risks,” says Dr. Lucy Perezzo, M.D. Colon hydrotherapy equipment, if not properly sterilized, can trigger serious infections, and Perezzo doesn’t buy the “autointoxication” basis for the treatment. “The simple job of the colon is to package the final indigestible particles of what we consumed into a nice package of stool – it would only be filled with ‘toxins’ if, in fact, one ingested them in the first place,” explains Perezzo. “The wiser approach would be for people to AVOID the hydrogenated fats, processed foods, smoked and pickled foods, deep fried foods, food dyes, etc. in the first place, and then the colon can do its happy little job without getting bad press.” Dr. Perezzo also advises those with medical conditions such as diveticulitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Chron’s and ulcerative colitis), colonic or rectal tumors (ie cancer), severe hemorroids, or a pre-surgical bowel to avoid the procedure.

To avoid infection, counters hydrotherapist Amber Wimby, go to a center that uses disposable speculums. As long as the equipment is FDA-registered, and the hydrotherapists are licensed, it’s safe for most individuals. “At the Health and Longevity Center, we ALWAYS recommend that if a patient is experiencing any new problems they should seek an M.D’s advise, care and treatment first. Colon Hydrotherapy is not a ‘cure’ for colon problems; it is effective in promoting well-being and preventing future problems,” explains Wimby. Side Bar: · Colonics cost between $65 and $90 per session · Some insurance companies do cover colon hydrotherapy · “Open systems” are more private and require a much smaller tube · “Closed systems” are 100% supervised by a hydrotherapist · Certification is governed by the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy (I-ACT) www.i-act.org. Sidebar 2: There seems to be a consensus on one point—the fact that we live in an environment where detoxification is a no brainer. These additional detoxifying treatments are gaining popularity at wellness centers and spas in Atlanta. Bio-energetic lymphatic drainage massage- Bio-energetics is a branch of naturopathic medicine that uses a mild amount of electrical current (high frequencies and micro-current technology), which helps to restore, regulate and normalize the natural electrical impulses in the body at the cellular level. During Bio-energetic Lymphatic drainage massage, this technology breaks up and moves the lymph fluid through the body to restore, cleanse and regulate the lymph system. This is the primary elimination system of the body made up of conglomerated areas called lymph nodes.

Infrared sauna—Infrared Heat is simply light energy. The sun’s warmth has the same principals, but the cleansing saunas produce infrared energy without ultraviolet rays. Infrared sauna reportedly reduces pain and stiffness, improves energy, aids in heavy metal detoxification, rids the body of toxins through perspiration, improves metabolism, boosts the immune system, increases blood circulation, and strengthens the cardiovascular system. Doctors also use infrared sauna to treat low thyroid and Fibromyalgia.