From The Inside Out: Everything You Wanted To Know About Cleaning Your Colon But Were Afraid To Ask

"Let food be thy medicine, thy medicine shall be thy food" — Hippocrates

In keeping with our Spring Cleaning theme, we decided we'd take the expression literally and do an actual internal body cleansing. Considering what's involved, both Becky and I we're reluctant to say the least, but we went ahead and had colon irrigation therapy. You may have heard of this procedure A.K.A. a colonic. Colonics are often thought of as a trendy, new way to detoxify your body and we hear of various celebrities and jet setters swearing by them as a way to boost their energy and clean out their systems. Colonics have actually been around for many years and countless people use the procedure as a means to keep themselves, their colons in particular, healthy. Basically, a colonic is the process of gently cleansing and regenerating the colon by removing waste from the large intestine to the anus.

Why would anyone need to regenerate his or her colon you might ask? The colon is basically the sewage system of the body. Its purpose is to collect all fermented toxic waste from the rest of the body and remove it. Over time the colon becomes clogged with encrusted, backed-up waste, which leads to digestive disorders including constipation and indigestion and the breakdown of the immune system. The poisons resulting from the waste re-circulate into our blood streams causing all sorts of health issues from headaches and colds to allergies and arthritis. The theory with colonics is that they remove this built-up waste and eliminate stored toxins, harmful bacteria and parasitic infections from the body while helping to balance intestinal flora. Once the body is purged of these toxins, the body and mind benefit with renewed vitality and heightened energy levels. Additional benefits include: improved sleep patterns, easier weight loss and improved overall health.

Colonics also help your skin in its ability to breathe better. When excess waste material is removed from the body, the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs and skin are able to function properly. The skin is our largest organ and also acts as a way to eliminate waste from the body- surface eruptions of the skin occur due to toxins being released from the body. Elimination through these cleansing organs, liver, kidneys, lungs, and skin diminishes the burden placed upon them allowing each organ to function better.

One additional benefit of colonics is the effect on the solar plexus, which is the emotional center of the body. The transverse colon passes directly through the solar plexus. If emotional events have yet to be resolved or are held on to, it will affect your digestive system. Colonics can help in the alleviation of constipation while assisting in the holistic functioning of your emotional body and physical body.

It sounds like quite the revitalizing process doesn't it? Before you scramble to find your local colonic therapist, please note that the procedure is not for everyone. During a colonic a small, sterile speculum is inserted into the rectum. The speculum is attached to a clear, plastic hose, which is connected to the actual colonic irrigation machine. The therapist opens the intake valve on the machine allowing purified water into the colon. The flow of water is then reversed, and then repeated for up to 45 minutes. Throughout the treatment the therapist continues to adjust the temperature and the amount of water entering the colon. The water induces peristaltic contractions in the colon and the colon begins to release matter out through the hose. It's all there in plain site to see, coming straight out of your body. Often patients will see very little expelled during their first colonic, but as more and more debris is loosened with additional colonics, more fecal matter, mucus and parasites can be seen.

At the recommendation of my friend Claire, my colonic encounter took me to Ama Mama Holistic Care in Encinitas. I met the technician, Celesta, who immediately put me at ease by showing me around the facility and explaining exactly what the procedure would entail. It wasn't until she actually showed me the colon irrigation system and the tubing she would be using that I wanted to head straight for the door. I did however head to the changing area, and put on a hospital gown. Celesta then had me lie down on a massage table on an incline and gave me a 10-minute stomach massage to help "loosen things up." Then it was time to hop on the table and begin the procedure. Lying on one side, I was surprised to look up and see a mirror on the ceiling. This is so you can see all of the waste being extracted from your body through the plastic tubing. Joy! As explained earlier in more medical terminology, Celesta inserted the tube, and then began releasing the water in and out. This is in no way painful but very unusual and I found it about as pleasurable as having a pelvic exam. Please keep in mind throughout the procedure you are completely covered and able to maintain some modesty and most of your dignity. Ladies, does it go without saying that I would only recommend having this done by a female technician? After about 15 minutes of being filled up with water and having my insides sucked out, I'd had enough. Apparently, most people can endure about 30 minutes but as a first-timer, 15-minutes was plenty. Following the procedure, Celesta escorted me to a private restroom where I could sit for as long as I liked and try to expel some more material that hadn't come out through the tubing. Enough said about that. Celesta later told me to avoid eating any heavy foods, namely meat and dairy products, and to try to eat vegetables and juices for the next day or so. She also recommended taking fiber capsules and cleansing herbs over the course of the next week and recommended coming in for a second colonic in a few days for more cleaning. Well, I never made it back for that second one. Later that evening my stomach was so bloated I looked like I was 4 months pregnant. Over the course of the next few days it did return to normal, but I decided the unassisted/natural from of elimination was good enough for me. My friend Claire, who referred me to Ama Mama, has just finished up a series of 10 colonics meant to completely detoxify her system. Claire says she has never felt better and was actually euphoric after her last session. I imagine the euphoria was actually from finishing her sessions and never having to return again.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town Becky went to the Center for Optimal Health Institute in Lemon Grove. This institute is world famous and is known for their 3-week cleansing programs in which guests juice and have regular colonics to clean out and revitalize their systems. The institute doesn't advertise and is booked months in advance through word of mouth. Becky's technician Linda also explained the procedure before hand. What Becky was most impressed with was Linda's education of the body and learning about the effects of what we eat and the impact it has on our health. Like Claire, Becky walked out of her appointment feeling light and almost euphoric. She was scared to eat anything other than raw vegetables for days after the procedure due to learning about the impact of cooked food on our bodies. Needless to say, she is back on cooked food, but still juicing and eating lots of veggies. Even though she didn't particularly enjoy the procedure she felt fantastic afterwards and is scheduling her follow-up for next month.

Many physicians are skeptical as to the actual physical benefit of colonics. Some feel they're a waste of money while others are concerned about the abuse of colonics as a method of weight control. For now, the consensus seems to be that they are harmless and actually do help clients that have constipation or other digestive problems. If you're interested in colonics please consult your own physician before beginning any sort or detoxification program.