Health Stewardship Education
Hydrotherapy
A Vital Link In Your Health Stewardship Program
Hydrotherapy simply means therapy with water. There are many types of hydrotherapy that have been employed throughout history--baths, saunas, steam baths, packs and compresses. But the best for immediate relief of symptoms is colon hydrotherapy.
Colon Hydrotherapy
Colon hydrotherapy includes enemas and colonics. Enemas are easily accomplished by the average person in the home. An enema quickly removes waste from the colon that may be introducing toxins into the blood stream from sluggish and improper digestion and causing excess mucous and other symptoms of illness. Colonics are more involved and require that you go to a natural health clinic or spa that offers them. There is a Colema Board that combines the two. It is more enjoyable than an enema but can be done in the privacy of your own bathroom.
For more information see Colon Care.
How To Give an Enema
Simply purchase an enema bag or combination enema/hot water bottle from an online vender. Local stores carry substandard equipment that come apart in use. Do not bother going to the local drugstore unless you are desparate to find one. Ask the pharmacist or the manager. No one else will know what you are talking about. Two brands that are well made are: Cara and Mabis. I now purchase the ones that I offer, on Amazon.
Before you use the new enema bag, wash it thoroughly with vinegar to remove all fumes.
Before doing the enema, place a few towels on the floor or thick pad for more comfort. Also have on hand several wash cloths for cleanup afterwards.
To prepare the enema:
Clamp the tubing so the water does not run out as you fill the bag.
Fill the bag with body temperature or slightly warmer water. (Herbs or essential oils may be added to the water if you know what to add and why you are adding it. Never use soap, which is irritating and is the cause of the bad memories some people have about enemas. Water works fine on its own.)
Hang the bag so that it will be higher than the buttocks by at least 12 inches. (If you decide to raise it higher, be aware that the force of the inflowing water will be greater. In any case the inflowing water may give you an overwheming urge to evacuate the bowels. This force can be managed by compressing the tubing with your fingers. If this urge happens, stop and evaculate, Then continue with the enema.)
Open the clamp until water flows out, forcing the air in the tubing out. Then reclamp. (Air in the colon can cause cramping.)
Begin the enema:
Apply oil, lotion or saliva to the tip for lubrication. I prefer saliva because oil and lotion may make the tip too slippery.
Insert the rectal tip. (A fluted tip is often supplied for douching. The rectal tip is straight and narrow.)
Insert the tip and lie on your left side. Then release the clamp, keeping your fingers near it in order to easily reclamp when you feel an urge. (The knee chest position will reduce this pressure some if the urge is uncontrollable. The first time you may only take a few ounces of water before you feel the urge to evacuate. From this position you can quickly reclamp the tubing and use the toilet.)
Once you have evacuated this first time, you should be able to take the rest of the bag of water sidelying, but it is alright to start and stop as often as need be. Although, you may need to do another full bag if you only cleared out the rectum. After the initial try, it is best to lay on the back or left side, while rocking the hips from side to side or massaging the abdomen. The object is to get water distributed the length of the colon to help soften and expel the feces.
After you are finished evacuating, wash the tip well and rinse the bag and tubing if anything was added to the water. Let the bag and tubing hang open without kinks to dry before putting it away.
Afterward you should feel relieved, your head clearer and many other symptoms may be gone. I may do an enema or colema anytime I am feeling unwell. You can repeat the enema as often as you need to. But once a day during an illness is usually sufficient.
You can also use the enema bag to deliver herbs as a retention enema. It is called this because the objective is to "retain" the liquid as long as possible. If you only put 1 cup of liquid in the bag, the healing properties of the herbs can be retained in the colon and thereby be absorbed into the bloodstream. It is best if this follows a full enema. Also, since the colon is constantly reabsorbing liquid from its contents, this is a good way to hydrate someone too sick to keep fluids down.
Periodically, fill the tubing with hydrogen peroxide for an hour or two to kill mold that may grow in the tubing. If the tube blackens, buy a new bag.
For More Info Contact:
Chris Duffy, BS, LM, CNHP, ND
midwife.duffy(at)gmail.com
Please include the word "Health Stewardship" in the Subject.