Colon Hydrotherapy

Michael Hamilton
Advisor: Prof. Fahringer
 Overview
History of Colon Hydrotherapy
Theory
Information about I-ACT
Concerns
Contraindications
Medical Benefits
 History
Colon Hydrotherapy is the natural evolution of the
enema
The enema was first recorded in ancient Egyptian
documents
Also mentioned in the writings of Great Civilizations
Sumerians
Chinese
Hindus
Greeks
Romans
Hamiltons
 History cont.
Most pre-eminent physicians reported on the
value of the enema
Hippocrates
Galen
Regnier DeGraff
17th Century known as the age of the
clyster
 History cont.
Many European Kings appreciated the benefits of
the Enema
Louis XI - credited the enema with relieving attack
of seizures
Louis XIII received over 200 enemas in one year
 History cont.
Louis the XIV, ardent
supporter
Had over 2,000 enemas during
his reign.
He even received court
functionaries and visitors during
the procedure1.

1.Lieberman, William, M.D., The Enema, The Review of Court Function During Enema
Gastroenterology,
Volume 13, May-June 1946
 History cont.

In the early 1900s, Dr. Kellogg popularizes

colon cleansing
He reported in the 1917 Journal of American
Medicine that in over 40,000 cases, as a result of
diet, exercise, and enema (colon hydrotherapy),
in all but twenty cases, he had used no surgery
for the treatment of gastrointestinal disease in his
patients.
 History cont.
1950s
colon hydrotherapy was flourishing in the U.S.
the prestigious Beverly Boulevard in California was then
known as colonic row
Mid-1960s
colon hydrotherapy slowly dwindled
Early 1970s
most colon hydrotherapy instruments were removed
from the hospitals and nursing homes
PRESCRIPTIVE LAXATIVES and SURGERY GAIN FAVOR
 History Summary
Colon hydrotherapy/enemas have
been around for thousands of years
Two IMPORTANT conclusions
First, there is something of value by cleansing
the colon
Second, it has never received the attention it
justly deserves
 Theory
Extended and more complete form
of an enema
Gently infuse warm, filtered water into
the rectum
End Results
Hydrates the colon
Waste is softened and loosened
Evacuation is through normal peristalsis
Irrigates/cleanses the colon
 Theory cont.
Modern FDA registered
equipment
Carried out by qualified
personnel
Cleans beyond the rectosigmoid
area through a series of fill and
empty cycles
Safe and effective when
guidelines are adhered to
 Theory cont.
Various Types of FDA registered equipment
 I-ACT
International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy
I-ACT is the International Association for Colon
Hydrotherapy
I-ACT establishes the training standards and guidelines
I-ACT is committed to work with the FDA, International
organizations, states and municipalities to enhance the
safety of colon hydrotherapy
I-ACT is the certifying body for colon hydrotherapists around
the world
 I-ACT cont.
Membership
Over 2200 Members
Over 400 International Members

Certification Levels
Foundation Level
Intermediate Level
Advanced Level
Instructor Level
 Concerns
What about contamination or
spread of disease?
Only report was in New England
Journal of Medicine,
August 5, 1982
No reports of contamination when
using modern FDA registered
equipment and the equipment is
disinfected according to
manufacturer guidelines
Single use, disposable speculums /
rectal tubes, and tubing
 Concerns
What about puncturing of the colon?
There have been allegations of puncture when using
enemas and colonic irrigation
Recommend caution during insertion of speculum/rectal
tube and follow the recommendation of the
physician/healthcare provider and/or the manufacturer of
the equipment
Facts
The pressure of the water during the session is very low
from 1/4 lbs. to 2.0 lbs
The Speculum / Rectal Tube in only inserted
approximately 2 inches into the rectum
 Concerns
How will I assure the
patients therapist is
reputable?
Recommend that the patient
seek the services of an I-ACT
certified colon hydrotherapist
using currently registered FDA
equipment and disposable
supplies, and filtered water
 Concerns
Electrolyte imbalances
Study conducted by National
University
John R. Collins, N.D., Paul Mittman, N.D., Mara
Katlaps, B.A.
No patients experienced any clinically
significant complications or complaints during or
after the course of treatment.
Only problem might be encountered with
paraplegics that are unable to completely
release their bowels.
 Contraindications
Abdominal distensions Crohns
Adrenal exhaustion Colitis
Anemia Diverticulosis
Aneurysm Diverticulitis
Carcinomas Fistulas
Colon Fissures
Cardiac conditions Hemorrhage
Uncontrolled blood Hemorrhoids
pressure
Hypertension
Hypotension
Congestive heart
failure
 Contraindications cont.
Hernias Pregnancy
Liver First trimester
Jaundice Third trimester
Acute failure Renal
Cirrhosis One kidney
Lupus Insufficiency
Perforations Dialysis
Intestinal Surgery
Colon
Abdominal
Sigmoid
Colon
Rectal
Rectum
Hemorrhoidectomy
 Precautions cont.
Medications
Coumadin
Digoxin
Lasix (furosemide)
Prednisone
Lipitor
ASA/NSAIDS
Methotrexate
 Indications
FDA
When medically indicated, such as before
radiological or endoscopic examination
Practitioners Suggested Benefits (not
listed by FDA)
Health maintenance
DETOXIFICATION (correct
imbalance)
Symptomatic relief
Constipation
Indigestion
Functional bowel problems
 Indications cont.
Benefits (not listed by FDA)
Assessment of bowel function
Removal of impacted feces
Removal of foreign material
Rehydration of bowel
Toning of the bowel
Aids in bowel re-training
Improved bowel elimination
 Indications cont.
Benefits (not listed by FDA)
Removal of bowel toxins which may be
a cause of chronic inflammatory disease
processes
Improved sense of well-being
Improved immune response
Aids in bowel cleansing
Aids in elimination of stored toxins
Aids in restoring the integrity of the
mucosal lining
Improvement of quality of life
 Summary
Safe
Relatively Inexpensive ($65)
Licensed Practitioners
Effective (This message not reviewed by the FDA)
So can we advocate this practice as
PAS?
That answer is as clear as
Mud
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