The Modern Fountain of Youth: Colon Hydrotherapy
Celebrities are hooked, detox enthusiasts swear by it, and many doctors are scratching their heads. Colon hydrotherapy, also known as a colonic or colonic irrigation, is a water therapy that removes wastes – feces and toxins – from the colon. In recent years, it has been increasing in popularity due to the buzz surrounding detox diets. While the safety risks are still up for debate, the results may speak for themselves.
Although there are several variations of colon hydrotherapy techniques, the premise remains the same: filtered water enters the rectum by way of a speculum and, as it exits, brings with it toxins that line the colon wall. The practice is highly controversial, as its popularity is almost entirely hinged on word of mouth, without any scientific evidence existing of its safety and effectiveness. Many doctors contend that the body is able to naturally get rid of excess waste in the colon and that colon hydrotherapy is unecessary, invasive and potentially dangerous. This hasn’t stopped the trend.
There are two main types of colonic systems. The first is the pressurized system, with which a therapist utilizes a pressure gauge to monitor the flow of water in and out of the colon. The second is the gravity system, with which water is held in a container above the body and flows into the colon via a tube and the body takes in and ejects according to its needs. The gravity colonic allows the body to take only as much water as it can handle, whereas the pressurized system requires the therapist to set a pressure for the water entering your rectum. For these reasons, the gravity colonic is often preferred as a much more effective and authentic treatment, because it works with the natural flow of your bowels to release matter, rather than forcing in water. However, there are no studies to confirm the viability of pressurized versus gravity colonic systems, and in the end, it’s up to the client and his or her level of comfort.
Health figure, author and alternative therapy advocate Dr. Bernard Jensen posited that “the average healthy person has 7 to 25 pounds of fecal matter in their colon at any one time.” This is quite overwhelming to consider, especially when you already experience regular bowel movements. However, imagine the body is able to process and release some 90 percent of ingested food; it’s not like the rest simply disappears – it builds up in your body over time and is represented by extra matter along your colon walls and stashed in your cells and tissues. Excess waste in your body translates to an unbalanced body and can reveal itself as weight gain, acne, brain fog, sluggishness, and other types of ailments that could get serious.
This is where colonics come into play. Paired with a digestion-friendly diet, colonics are a great cleansing alternative. They help to take your health to the next level and relieve your body of the stress of impacted matter so that it can focus on other body systems. Ultimately, colonics lead to increased cellular cleanliness and thus a body that is more agile and younger.
The most important precaution is to choose an experienced and educated colon hydrotherapist so that the procedure is done right and effectively. Let the therapist
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