Colonic
Colonic – Colonic hydrotherapy
Colonic hydrotherapy (colonics or detoxification) is usually practiced outside of conventional medicine. Colon therapy in one form or another is actually many centuries old. Even in the early 1900s. The American Medical Association criticized colonic irrigation when used to allegedly remove toxins and enhance health. Scientific knowledge about these procedures has increased with the years, yet the treatments are still criticized. Since the time of ancient Egypt. different theories have arisen tracing the origins of all human disease to feces. Those who advocate colonic hydrotherapy offer one of two theories on why patients should utilize it. The first theory, which has its roots in Darwin’s concept of evolution, considers colonic hydrotherapy necessary to counter what is known
as “ptosis.” This term simply means that an organ has moved downward from its usual position. According to this theory, as humans evolved from four—legged to two—legged animals. gravity in the standing position pulled the abdominal cavity in a different direction. This pressure. so the theory contends, produced a drop. or ptosis, in the intestines that caused stress hands that narrowed the intestines, slowing passage of the contents. Treatment included massage to help move bowel contents along, and colonic irrigation to loosen the contents. The second and related theory, championed by French physician Charles-Jacques Bouchard (18.37—1915). is “autointoxication.” Just when microorganisms were being identified as the cause of some diseases (leading to the genn theory of disease), Bouchard proposed that slower movement of waste through the colon would give microorganisms
time to decompose that material. That would lead to the production of toxins. which could then 1w absorbed hack into the body, causing disease and illness. This reabsorption leads to the body poisoning itself, which is what Bouchard and others called “autointoxicalion” lie wrote, “Man is in this way constantly living under the chance of being poisoned; he is always working toward his own destruction; he makes continual attempts at suicide by intoxication.’
Colonic Study Findings
Unfortunately, there are no well-performed, controlled medical studies to support or refute this type of therapy. Some doctors feel thatpatients who feel better after colonics are only responding to a placebo effect induced by their belief that colonics are helpful.
Cautions
Reports show that colonic irrigation has been associated with at least one outbreak of amoebiasis (an infection caused by a tiny one-celled organism called an “amoeba” that can be spread by the use of improperly cleaned colonic equipment contaminated with fecal material). Other types of colon infections have been caused by
colonics. Two deaths associated with coffee enemas have also been reported. Some doctors worry that colonics might change the normal bacteria in the colon, but this has never been reported. Other unproven concerns include the loss of intestinal muscle tone and normal defecation reflex, water intoxication, electrolyte disturbances, and
perforation of the colon. People with any intestinal problem or illness should consult a physician before undergoing colonics.