What is the colon?
The colon, or large intestine, is comprised of the last five to five ½ feet of the digestive tract.  Its primary function is the removal of digestive and cellular waste from the body.  Some nutrients and water are absorbed through the colon wall as well.  Bowel transit time is anywhere from 12-24 hours in a healthy person, depending on water intake, lifestyle, and types of food consumed.

Can I be constipated even if I have 1, 2, or 3 bowel movements a day?
Yes. Accumulated waste, mucous, and gas in the colon may inhibit its natural peristaltic action resulting in incomplete though frequent bowel movements. This backup of toxic waste can cause a wide range of problems in the digestive tract and throughout the entire body.

What is colon hydrotherapy?
Colonic irrigation, also called colon hydrotherapy or colonic, is perhaps one of the most effective colon therapies.  Within a short passage of time a colonic can eliminate large amounts of trapped waste that may have taken many years to accumulate.  During a 45-minute session of colonic irrigation, a total of 2-6 liters of distilled water is used to gently flush the colon.  Through gentle abdominal massage old deposits of mucoid fecal matter are loosened and subsequently flushed out by water.

What are the benefits of colon hydrotherapy?
Specifically, a colonic is used to accomplish the following:
1. Cleanse the colon.
Toxic material is broken down so it can no longer harm your body or inhibit assimilation and elimination. Even debris built up over a long period is gently removed in the process of a series of treatments. Once material is removed, your colon can begin again to co-operate as it was intended to. In this very real sense a colonic is a rejuvenation treatment.
2. Exercise the colon muscles.
The build up of toxic debris weakens the colon and impairs its functioning. The gentle filling and emptying of the colon improves peristaltic activity by which the colon naturally moves material.
3. Reshape the colon.
When problem conditions exist in the colon, they tend to alter its shape thus causing more problems. The gentle action of the water, coupled by the massage techniques of the colon therapist helps to eliminate bulging pockets of waste and narrowed, spastic constrictions, finally enabling the colon to resume its natural state.
4. Stimulate reflex points.
Every system and organ of the body is connected to the colon by reflex points, colonics stimulate these points, thereby affecting the corresponding body parts in a beneficial way.

Are there any additional benefits I might expect from a colonic?
Yes, there are several benefits from colon hydrotherapy. By working with a skilled therapist a colonic can be a truly enlightening educational process. At Move Colonics, you will learn to expand your awareness of your body’s functioning by including signals from your abdomen, your skin, your face and even from the most taboo of natural product, your eliminations. You will find that you can spot the beginnings of developing conditions through clues from these body regions and functions before they become serious. Also, the solar plexus is the emotional center of the body and the transverse colon passes right through it. If an emotional event is left uncompleted, it often results in physical tension being stored in the solar plexus, which affects all organs of the area, including the colon. This ongoing tightening of the colon muscle results in diminished movement of fecal material through the colon, which is experienced as constipation. Not only do colonics alleviate the constipation, they can assist you in creating a fully holistic view of your body’s functioning, leading to a better quality of life.

Is colon hydrotherapy safe?
YES. The modern colon hydrotherapy equipment used at Move is manufactured through compliance with strict FDA guidelines that dictate rigorous accountability. This FDA-registered equipment features temperature controlled water mixing and backflow prevention valves, pressure and temperature sensors, and a built-in chemical sanitizing unit and water purification unit, as well as disposable single-use rectal tubes. In fact, treatments are much safer than the common enema.

Is colon hydrotherapy habit-forming?
No. The purpose of the colon is to allow it to relax, rejuvenate, and promote better peristalsis. The colon cannot heal when it is constantly working to get rid of accumulated waste, gases, and poisons. Most clients report that they are much more ‘regular’ after completing a few colon hydrotherapy sessions.

Should I see my doctor before my first colon hydrotherapy session?
If you have a concern about your health or the appropriateness of the colon hydrotherapy, you should consult your doctor.

Does it hurt?
During the procedure the muscles of the colon contract suddenly, expelling considerable liquid and waste into the rectum. The contraction may feel like cramping or gas. With the advanced equipment and training of a colon hydro-therapist the process is mild and gentle with a wonderfully light and empty feeling afterwards.  Colon Hydrotherapy should not hurt, but every body is different and sessions can vary depending on the person and the history of that person.  For example, if a person comes in with a history of constipation and a stressful lifestyle, the person can experience more intense cramping, but as time goes on and the hard fecal matter is soaked, hydrated, and loosened and the colon muscles are strengthened, the sessions become easier.

How long is each session?
The colonic session is 45 minutes, but you should plan an hour for your total session.

I have had a colonic before and nothing came out during the session, it was very discouraging. Why should I try colon hydrotherapy again?
Some clients visiting for the first time expect the colonic to instantly release all waste from their large intestine. When this does not occur, some clients say, “Why should I come back if nothing came out the first time, I’m empty, it’s not really that effective.” When little or nothing is released it is all the more reason to continue with treatments. The ability or inability to release is one of the ways to assess a colonic session. The first job is to get the gut muscles to respond by creating what we call a “flow through”. “Flow through” is the ability of the person to eliminate or have material flow through their alimentary tract from mouth to anus without restriction. Dehydration could be a reason for a difficult first cleanse. If a client states they drink one quart or less of fluid daily, we know that the colon is probably dehydrated. The lack of fluid allows hardening of waste in the gut. Dehydration may also affect the quality of intestinal muscle tissue and its ability to expand and contract properly. Another cause is what we call the “peanut butter effect”. Some low fiber diets combined with insufficient fluids can create a very sticky and thick elimination that becomes trapped in the intestines. If this is suspected, you can prepare before for the first session by drinking water half of your body weight in ounces (example: 150 lbs. divided by 2 = 75 ounces of water per day), and making fruits and vegetables at least 50% of your diet. This is voluntary on your part and is helpful for your first colonic.

Does the session smell?
Most colonic sessions do not smell since the tubing safely and efficiently carries the waste out, eliminating mess and odor.  The closed colon hydrotherapy system provides the highest quality hygiene through the “closed” system, which is the professional method.  The sterile tubing and speculum is used during the session and then disposed. 

How many colonic treatments do I need and how often?
The number of treatments varies with each individual and his/her condition. Often, waste is so hard and deeply lodged in the colon that it may take a series of colonics to sufficiently soften and loosen it. Colonics also stimulate the liver, kidney and lymph system to dump toxins. An initial series of 3, 5, or 10 depending on the individual, followed by a maintenance schedule of one session per month, is recommended.  Think about this… We clean our teeth twice a year and change the oil in our car every 3,000 miles, yet neglect to clean our colon.

What are the possible side effects?
Most likely you will feel great!  You will probably feel lighter and enjoy a renewed sense of wellness.  Clients often comment that it was one of the most wonderful cleansing experiences of their life.  As soon as the colonic is finished, you can carry on with your daily routine.  For some, the colonic may trigger subsequent bowel movements for the next few hours but there won’t be any uncontrollable urgency or discomfort.  It is possible that you may feel lightheaded or chilled for a few moments following a colonic.  This is considered normal and passes quickly.

One should be aware that since colonics eliminate and stir up toxins, a select few have reported nausea, vomiting and cold-like symptoms.  While this is a rarity, it can occur and is the body’s way of eliminating the toxins through other means.  Should this very small percentage happen to you (or possibly has already occurred in the past), then please advise your colon hydro-therapist so she can reduce the amount of water going into you by shortening your session to achieve better balance.  Once these symptoms pass, then you can gradually increase your water intake to the normal allotted time.

What happens if my bowel movements are not naturally restored after two days?       If it takes longer than two days for the bowel movements to become naturally restored, it indicates that the colon has accumulated unduly large amounts of waste over a period of many years.  To soften up and flush out all the waste may require a series of colonics and, of course, a balanced diet and lifestyle. 

Does my menstrual period at the time of the colonic effect my session?
No, in fact it’s usually a good time to receive a treatment since your body is already cleansing.  Your flow will not interfere with the success of the treatment.

Will I lose friendly, probiotic bacteria in the colon as a result of the colonic?
It is actually much easier for the friendly colon bacteria to multiply in a clean environment than in a putrefied one.  Once the colon is properly cleansed, it takes less than 36 hours to restore normal bacteria populations.  If you feel concerned about this, ask your therapist for probiotic options to help expedite the process.  Once the colon walls have been cleansed, the lining is hydrated and ready to absorb nutrients faster as well.

What is the difference between the gravity and pressure colonic system?

The difference is the way the water is fed, one with gravity and one with pressure.  Both are gentle and affective.  Move wanted to offer both systems since no one else in the Midwest does gravity colonics!

Minneapolis / St. Paul