How to clean your colon naturally?

"Colon hydrology", "colonic irrigation" or "colon hydrotherapy" are all terms that refer to the same thing. The fundamental objectives of this treatment are intestinal relief and the maintenance of good health and well-being. It's a technique for cleansing the colon (also known as the "large intestine") and, by extension, the digestive system, with positive repercussions for the whole organism. In concrete terms, colon hydrotherapy removes much of the debris and bad bacteria stored in our intestines by circulating filtered water. An analogy can be made with teeth cleaning. If cleaning our mouths, the gateway to food, is beneficial, so too is cleaning our colon, the outlet for our food waste.
But how can we clean our colon naturally?

There are 4 waste elimination organs in our body: the skin through perspiration, the lungs through exhaled air, the kidneys through urine, but the main elimination organ is the colon!

In this article, we'll look at what colon hydrology is, what it does for the human body and who it's for. Finally, we'll look at the type of structure that can provide such support.

1- Enema and hydrology: what's the difference?

The difference between colonic hydrology and an intestinal enema lies in the area cleansed and in the equipment and support required.

The intestinal enema is an ancestral method, dating back to the time of Hippocrates, more than 4 centuries BC, and to many ancient civilizations (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese...). In those times, internal hygiene was often an integral part of a country's culture. It is still widely used today. An enema cleanses the last part of the colon. Enemas can be performed at home, using simple equipment (a bag, a hose and an anal cannula), a few explanations and a few precautions.

Colon hydrology is the result of 4 centuries of progress in medicine and technology. Ambroise Paré appears to have been the first to develop a colonic hydrology machine in the early 17th century. Since then, with advances in technology, hydrology has made it possible to safely cleanse the entire colon, i.e. around one and a half meters. This technique requires a complete installation, including a highly specific machine, and a specially trained therapist, often referred to as a colon hygienist. Thanks to the professional and the machine, all treatment parameters are managed, in particular water temperature, pressure, quantity and flow.

Hydrology is a safe hygiene technique practised regularly by thousands of people all over the world. No laxatives or chemicals are used, just tempered, filtered water, to which other supplements (magnesium, chlorophyll, coffee, etc.) can be added as required.

2- What are the benefits of colon hydrotherapy?

The trickle of water will gradually loosen and eliminate the impurities and therefore the bad bacteria stored in our digestive tract. Without this intervention, certain food residues cannot be evacuated properly. This can contribute to inflammation, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue and even food intolerance, but it can also have an impact on more general problems such as headaches, allergies, etc.

Hydrology is first and foremost recognized as a treatment for constipation. In addition to constipation, other ailments linked to the intestinal and digestive systems, such as diarrhea and flatulence, can also be treated with this treatment.

Hydrology balances the intestinal flora by eliminating food residues that can get stuck on the walls. As they putrefy, they can generate bad bacteria, like dental plaque on the oral flora. In other words, colonic hydrology helps to stimulate and strengthen the immune system by detoxifying the body.

Recent major medical discoveries about the intestinal microbiota, and those announced for the next 10 years, will certainly explain many of the positive effects on our health. Effects that can be seen following the implementation of better colon hygiene, in particular with hydrology.
Hydrotherapy also enables better assimilation of nutrients and vitamins, and better PH regulation. It helps restore vitality to the body.

Colon hydrology and serious pathologies

Thanks to the above-mentioned benefits, hydrology offers a degree of prevention and support outside acute phases. In particular, it is used before or after surgery (with a minimum three-month delay after visceral surgery) and when taking heavy treatments. It is also recommended in cases of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease or other digestive diseases (celiac disease or gluten intolerance, etc.). Finally, it is also useful in cases of diabetes, autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc.), and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, autism, etc.).

Last but not least, colon hydrology provides psychological relief. By enabling the colon, and therefore the intestines, to function better, the brain is relieved of parasitic messages. Testimonials to this effect are numerous among specialized therapists.

3- Why clean your colon naturally?

Hydrotherapy is not a miracle method. Think of it as hygiene, prevention and support.

There are physiological reasons for cleansing the colon in the first place. We don't realize how much matter passes through our bodies. This transit is not always as fluid as it should be. In fact, we often eat too quickly (without sufficiently chewing, we gulp), we eat too much and not always well. What's more, we generally don't get enough regular physical exercise. Another explanation is that the colon is a special organ. It has several elbows and its walls are made up of countless folds. Like the rest of the body, it is an organ that lives, deforms and ages.
The result of all these factors is that our colon is clogged with matter on its walls and in its folds (plaque, skin, undigested food, mucus, etc.).

Secondly, there are psychological reasons. There are interactions between the brain and the intestines. We've known for a long time that these connections take place via the vagus nerve, by hormonal means (feelings of hunger or satiety, for example). But science has also revealed important and faster connections via the microbiota. These connections between the two organs can lead to blockages or malfunctions. By relieving pain in the gut, we can indirectly relieve pain in the brain. Many patients testify to this, and certain manifestations of liberation even occur during the hydrology session.

4- Who is this colonic irrigation treatment intended for?

There are different categories of people for whom hydrology can be beneficial:

• People who are into prevention, who want to maintain good health.
• People who become aware that they are not eating properly, who abuse "junk food", alcohol or drugs of any kind, or who need support during detoxification. Particularly those who are fasting (before and after).
• People with "mild" pathologies. People with frequent stomach aches, constipation, bloating or tiredness after meals. People who feel heavy, have nausea or bad breath. Or people who suffer from cramps, eczema, skin problems and often have a lump in their stomach.
• People who have a "more serious" pathology, after surgery, when taking heavy treatments, or other digestive diseases, auto-immune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, etc.), and so on.
• Hydrology also supports people who need to evacuate psychologically and emotionally (burn-out, depression, divorce, death, etc.).

However, there are a few contraindications to hydrotherapy, in particular pregnancy, colon cancer, recent visceral surgery and certain acute inflammatory diseases (unless specifically prescribed by a gastroenterologist).

5- How often should you cleanse your colon? And how?

Generally speaking, it's only after two or three sessions at fairly short intervals that you can derive maximum benefit, even if a real sense of well-being is often felt from the very first session. In fact, the colon is a good five feet long, and some viscosities cannot be loosened in a single session. For mild constipation in particular, a series of three hydrologies is often recommended.

In the absence of any specific pathology, colon cleansing is recommended to maintain the body's health and well-being: once a year for young adults and 2 to 3 times a year for adults and senior citizens.

In the case of a five-day youngster, we recommend one or two hydrologies in the week before and one or two in the fortnight after.

But in each case, depending on the patient's state of health, pathologies and current treatments, the number and frequency must be specifically adapted by a specialized, qualified therapist. That's why it's strongly recommended that this kind of treatment be carried out by qualified, accredited professionals, in dedicated centers and clinics. In Switzerland, accreditation is granted to qualified health professionals (doctors, naturopaths and nurses) who have undergone comprehensive training by an organization approved by the health insurance funds. In this case, the treatment may be reimbursed by the supplementary health insurance fund, depending on the type of insurance taken out (ask your health insurance fund in advance).

6- How does a session at Clinique Naturelle in Geneva work?

When you book your first appointment for a colonic hydrology treatment, we'll give you a document with instructions on what to eat before and after the treatment, to help prepare your body for it.
At Clinique Naturelle, we always begin our relationship with a patient with a 30-minute health check. This is to ensure that we fully understand the patient's needs and context, but also to highlight any contraindications that may have escaped us when we made the appointment. It's also an opportunity to answer any specific questions the patient may have.

Building patient confidence during a colon hydrotherapy session

We attach particular importance to instilling confidence in patients and respecting their feelings. This therapy must be gentle. We are convinced that there is a strong link between the brain and the intestine. It is therefore essential to be in as peaceful a setting as possible. Every step of the way requires trust between patient and therapist. Last but not least, we take a major interest in the hygiene and safety of our patients.

We use a modern machine, dedicated to this treatment, which allows us to regulate the flow, pressure and temperature of the water. A sterile, single-use cannula connects the machine to the patient's anus.

Tempered water gently penetrates the colon, gradually advancing through the massage. This is very important, as it enables us to make contact, feel blockages and tensions, facilitate breathing and relax. When the water enters, we massage in the opposite direction to that of transit, to help the water go all the way to the end (the cecum). At the time of evacuation, we massage in the direction of transit, insisting on the angles (hepatic, splenic and sigmoid coves), not forgetting the plexuses (solar, mesenteric, etc.). This massage lengthens the mucosa. It's as if the colon were stretching. This movement, this relaxation, will progressively moisturize, loosen and detach residues attached to the mucosa. Depending on the patient's needs and condition, several baths (or back and forth) are performed. The session ends with a visit to the toilet, often experienced as a final release, followed by a few recommendations and a soothing herbal tea.

Marie-Anne Geiser
Naturopath, nutritionist
Therapist specialized in colon hydrology since 2008
Co-founder of Clinique Naturelle in Geneva in 2014

If you'd like to find out more, or get a free quote, please contact us!

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