Colon Therapy

Good question! Before addressing this question, I would like to start first by explaining what the colon is. The colon or large intestine is the organ responsible for some absorption of nutrients (from food) for the body to use, but mostly it handles the storage and elimination of waste from the body.

When you bite into a piece of food—the first phase of digestion (believe it or not) has already begun. By chewing food, we not only break it down into smaller particles, but by excreting saliva (at the same time) the food becomes ready to be absorbed by the body. When food is swallowed, the oesophagus (throat) begins a squeezing and rippling action (peristalsis) that keeps food moving along its digestive route. The next stop is the stomach where the digestive juices in the stomach further break down food into smaller components. As food leaves the stomach, it enters the small intestines, (which is approximately 23 feet). An extraordinary amount of vital functions go on here, which affect all areas of a person’s health.

For the purpose of this article, I will focus on the ‘villi’ (hair-like structures). There are, 3,500 villi that control the movement and absorption of smaller food particles and nutrients. It is important to note that improper diet can destroy these villi, leading to major intestinal complications. A few of these culprits are: chemicals, additives, hot drinks, fatty foods, fried foods, sugar and processed foods.

The villi separate, categorize and distribute nutrients passing through it (for example the lymph system will carry away fat and the blood vessels will transport digested carbohydrates and protein to the liver and etc.) After digestion is complete in the small intestines, the digested food enters through a one-way valve leading to the colon.

The colon is where the final phase of digestion occurs and ultimately ‘elimination’. By the time the food that has been eaten arrives at the colon it no longer resembles it’s original form. The colon’s job is to further extrapolate nutrients and water from this food (which is stool by this time). Mostly, though it’s main function is to form and excrete waste from the body. By this point (as you can imagine from this elaborate filtering system) the body has taken all it can from the food to keep the body systems fuelled and functioning. The leftover (in the colon) is simply wasted.

How does one know if they have an unhealthy colon? I will answer that by addressing what a person with a healthy colon would experience. A person with a healthy colon will have a bowel movement shortly after a meal is eaten. The elimination will be easy and take no more than 10 seconds. The stool itself will be large, long, light brown in colour and float (or sink slowly) with an inoffensive odour. And very little toilet paper (if any) will be needed. Does this describe your bowel movements? If not, do not panic! 9 out of 10 clients who visit do not experience this either.

Unfortunately, North American society and lifestyle does not tend to be conducive to healthy digestion and elimination. As mentioned previously, the types of foods that create intestinal problems are fatty fried, processed, overcooked food with chemicals and/or additives, sugar, caffeine, too much red meat, etc. As many of us know, these foods comprise much of the average person’s diet in North America.

In countries where life is still lived naturally (i.e. so called “less developed” countries) the experience of the type of bowel movements, which I just described are quite common. Thus, these people have fewer diseases, which are typical to North Americans.

Perhaps, you are wondering what a natural lifestyle has to do with proper elimination. In your quest for health, you will find that diet plays an important role in your wellness and vitality.

De-natured foods create a lot of work for the body. As the digestive organs try to breakdown theses very foreign substances (i.e., chemicals, additives, & etc) they will at the same time try to get some useable water, minerals and nutrients from the food to nourish your body. Because denatured foods have almost no nutrition, you are basically causing you body to work hard and receive nothing in exchange. And then we wonder why we are so tired and have lost our enthusiasm for life. Where is our energy going to come from? In a nutshell, most de-natured foods create a build up of waste in the body, and it is stored specifically in the colon. Foods that are conducive to effective absorption and elimination are those with high water content such as fruits and vegetables and when eaten raw are abundant in living enzymes.

Years of ineffective elimination will result in a build up of waste in the colon. This wastes that which has remained in the colon for some time, creates several problems for the body. Firstly, the material is quite toxic and these poisons can and will re-enter the bloodstream (via the colon) creating illness, weakness and fatigue. Further ‘impacted waste’ impairs the colon’s ability to do its job (i.e. assimilate minerals). It inhibits the normal and necessary muscular action of the colon (by congesting it) causing, sluggish bowel movements, constipation and related disorders. Can you see the “catch-22” emerging here? This finally brings us to the question of what colon therapy is?

Colon therapy is a rejuvenation therapy, the use of which has been traced as far back as the mid-1800s in Ancient Egypt. Using gentle, repeated flushing with water, the colon is cleansed of waste material.

In a typical 30-40 minute session, as much as 15-25 gallons of pure water is used to gently flush the colon. While using other techniques, such as breathing and massage techniques, the therapist and client can work to loosen and eliminate more toxic waste than any other short-term techniques.

A colon therapy session (colonics, colon hydrotherapy or high colonic as they are sometimes referred to) is used for cleansing, however there are many other benefits. Colon therapy exercises colon muscles and helps reshape the colon and stimulates reflex points in the colon that relate to other body organs (similar to reflexology).

Working with a reputable colonic therapist, a colonic can be a truly enlightening experience. Clients report an expanded awareness of body functions and a greater ability (through time) to detect the beginnings of developing conditions, before they become serious. This is truly prevention! Colonies can also assist you in recognizing and releasing stored emotions that may have caused problems with elimination. There is a direct correlation between “letting go” of stored emotions and “letting go” of stored waste.

Diana Christina Picciottoli is a Certified Colon Therapist of 12 years. She left a career in the field of advertising to devote herself to helping others have the kind of life they long for. After a bout with cancer at the age of 18, she became a client and advocate of colon therapy, which she holds directly responsible for her remarkable 14-year remission. Diana is currently practicing from Thuna’s Wholistc centre (see advertisement).