Earth Medicine Woman Logo

Reflections

" “Revelation - the experience of unspeakable love, the suspension of doubt and fear.” "
- Course

Hydrotherapy

Colonic

PDFPrintE-mail

Monday, 01 March 2010 22:16

ABOUT COLONIC HYDROTHERAPY

WHAT ARE COLONICS?

Colonic hydrotherapy uses water to gently cleanse the large intestine or colon.  In the past, colonics have been called "high enemas" because of their ability to cleanse the colon entirely, including the ascending colon and cecum.

Colonics are used to cleanse the body of toxins that build up in the colon.  When these toxins can no longer be effectively eliminated through the large intestine, they can cause "autointoxication" (the poisoning of one's own system through uneliminated toxins).  This results in a wide variety of symptoms which may include aching joints, headaches, poor concentration, mood swings, PMS, lethargy, fatigue, etc.  Many diseases may also be linked to autointoxication.  Colonics themselves are not a cure for any disease, but they can aid the body's natural ability to heal itself by temporarily removing the overload on the system caused by the toxins.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST VISIT

The first visit includes a brief history, an abdominal and digital rectal exam.  This is to rule out any conditions that are contraindicated for this therapy.  Such conditions include active rectal bleeding, an acute episode of ulcerative colitis and possibly pregnancy.

The machine used is a closed system which is run under an absolute maximum pressure of 2 PSI.  We use all disposable speculums and tubing to eliminate any possibility of contamination between patients.

As the recipient of the treatment, you will be lying comfortably on your back on the treatment table as the therapist administers the colonic.  Your only job is to relax as much as possible and remember to breathe!  The colonic should never be painful--the most discomfort will probably be some cramping, somewhat like you would experience with diarrhea. 

Some people complain of a slightly "toxic" feeling after their first treatment.  This is most likely due to the toxins that can get stirred up and reabsorbed into the bloodstream.  To eliminate these toxins, it is recommend to drink several glasses of water throughout the day after the initial treatment.  Generally, after the first visit, people report feeling much better after their colonics.

WHAT SHOULD I EAT BEFORE/AFTER THE COLONIC?

We recommend you do what is most comfortable for you.  Many people find that eating only lightly before or after the colonic, or even fasting the day of the treatment helps them feel that the cleanse has been more complete.  Perhaps the best way to cleanse the digestive tract is to fast and to take 1-2 colonics during the fast.  Many naturopathic physicians use fasting as a mode of treatment and would be able to supervise you during a fast.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE A COLONIC?

Opinions on this vary widely.  If you have a chronic condition that stems from poor colon health, it is recommended a series of four to six treatments, one week apart.  Like many therapies, one treatment will bring some relief, but in order to have a lasting improvement generally more than one colonic is needed.  After having a series of treatments you will know what it feels like to detoxify.  We usually leave it up to the patient to come back when they feel the need to detoxify again--for most people, this may be around six months to one year.

ABOUT ACIDOPHILUS

During the colonic many harmful toxins are washed out of the colon.  At the same time helpful bacteria, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, are removed.  It is important to replace the healthful bacteria to restore the natural, healthy balance of the intestinal flora.  Your physician may recommend taking a supplement with high numbers of L. acidophilus with each meal for up to one week after the colonic.
 

Foot Bath

PDFPrintE-mail

Monday, 01 March 2010 22:00

Alternating Foot Bath

Alternating hot and cold foot baths involve the immersion of the feet alternately into hot and cold water.  This treatment will reduce pain locally and in distal parts.  It will also increase circulation to the area and increase immunity, nutrition, and lymph drainage.

Indications:
Alternating hot and cold foot baths are used to treat infections, arthritis, venous stasis ulcers, fractures, edema, and injuries including sprains, strains, and bruises after 24 hours.

Contraindications:
Do not use alternating hot and cold foot baths in persons with cancer, vascular disease including diabetes, diminished sensation, or hemorrhage.

Caution
Always finish with a short cold bath except in persons with rheumatoid arthritis whose condition is aggravated by cold.  End treatment with warm bath in this case.

Supplies:
2 basins or tubs for feet            Hot water
Bath thermometer                Cold water
Towels                    Cold compress for head

Directions:
•  Prepare a tub with hot water at 105-110 degrees F.  Do not exceed 120 degrees.  This temperature is slightly hotter that the average hot tub. Prepare alternate tub with cold water at 45 degrees F.
•  Immerse feet tub with hot water for 3 minutes.
•  After 3 minutes, change feet to cold foot bath and immerse feet for 30 seconds.
•  Make three complete changes between the hot and cold tubs (3x-hot/3x-cold).
•  Always start the treatment with the hot bath and finish treatment with the cold bath.
•  If you start sweating, place a cold compress on the forehead.
•  Dry feet thoroughly and rest in bed for at least 30 minutes.
•  Add hot water to the hot tub if the temperature falls below 105 degrees.
•  The greater the contrast between the hot and cold water, the stronger the treatment.
•  Place disinfectant such as salt, betadyne, vinegar, hypericum, or calendula tincture in water if treating an infected wound.
 

Home Constitutional

PDFPrintE-mail

Monday, 01 March 2010 22:21

Constitutional Hydrotherapy Treatment

Self Application

Constitutional hydrotherapy promotes detoxification, improves cell nutrition, and increases immunity. This treatment should leave you feeling relaxed and more well.

Indications:

A constitutional hydrotherapy treatment can be applied in almost any acute or chronic health condition including bronchitis, dysmenorrhea, hypertension, depression, and arthritis. Treatments should be done once daily.

Contraindications:

Do not do constitutional hydrotherapy treatments on persons with acute asthma, acute bladder infections, or low body temperature (<97F oral). For chronic conditions, hydrotherapy should be by a physician.

Caution:

Avoid becoming chilled. If feeling chilly, add more blankets or place a hot water bottle or other heat source over the feet.

Supplies:

Heat source (shower, bath) 1 bath towel wring out with cold (ice) water

Warm blankets (two layers wool) bathrobe

Directions:

• Prepare a place to lie down. Collect warm blankets, pillow, timer, and a neck towel and slippers, if desired.

• Thoroughly wring out a towel in cold water, so that it does not drip. Place it near your blankets.

• Take a hot bath or shower for five to ten minutes. Be sure that you are warm through.

• Dry off. Wrap the cold, wet towel around your torso. Cover with bathrobe and belt in
place. Lie down in a comfortable position. Cover well with blankets, slippers or a neck towel are optional.

• Rest. Leave the towel on for 20 minutes or more. Be sure it has been warmed before removing it.

   

Hydrotherapy Defined

PDFPrintE-mail

Monday, 01 March 2010 22:10

HYDROTHERAPY

Naturopathy is a broad system of medicine built upon simple and reliable principles. One of these principles is that proper circulation to internal organs and tissues is a necessity for pain relief, optimal metabolic function, repair of damaged or infected tissue and for general well being. There are many ways to improve circulation. Hydrotherapy, the use of alternating hot and cold water, is one of the oldest.

Constitutional hydrotherapy is a special technique that greatly improves recovery from many acute and chronic illnesses. Examples of chronic conditions that may benefit from hydrotherapy include asthma, bronchitis, heart disease constipation, cancer, migraines, and autoimmune conditions such as arthritis, chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome (CFIDS), HIV disease/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia. Acute conditions that are treated include bronchitis, acute asthma attacks, colds, flus, coughs, headaches, and sinus infections. It has been used successfully by thousands of naturopathic physicians for over a century and at one time was standard medical treatment for many illnesses, in hospitals and clinics.

Hydrotherapy works well because it acts to stimulate the body’s own healing force. These constitutional treatments stimulate healing by enhancing the oxygenation and circulation of blood and lymph, by promoting better digestion of food and nutrition to the cells, by increasing the oxidation and elimination of toxins, by strengthening the general defense of the body and by assisting in the restoration of nervous equilibrium. Patients of all ages can benefit. During the treatment the patient lies comfortably on a soft table while hot towels are applied over the upper torso. The person is then wrapped in a sheet and covered with several layers of blankets. Once the skin is warmed, a single cold towel is exchanged for the heated one. The body, well prepared by the preceding warmth, reacts to this temperature change by greatly increasing the blood flow to the skin and the internal organs of the chest and abdomen. Hydrotherapy researchers have shown that a reflex increase in blood flow occurs in internal organs when the circulation to the overlying skin is stimulated. It is this internal reaction which is responsible for the long lasting and cumulative effects of a series of hydrotherapy treatments. Research has further shown that the beneficial effects on the immune system last for up to 24 hours making this a very effective therapy for any disorder requiring immune system response.
The benefits of constitutional hydrotherapy include an improvement in sleep, digestion, bowel function, an increase in your energy level and a reduction in chronic pain. We have found that other naturopathic therapies, such as, herbal medicines, special diets or homeopathy often work better with concurrent constitutional hydrotherapy treatments. Some rely entirely on hydrotherapy to promote recovery from many serious and seemingly incurable illnesses.
For the best results, constitutional hydrotherapy should be repeated 3 or 4 times per week for several weeks. The number of treatments needed is, in part determined by your specific illness, and your physician. Many of our patients have found it extremely beneficial to combat the early onset of a cold or flu or just as a treatment to make them recover from a stressful period in their life.
 

Local Hydrotherapy

PDFPrintE-mail

Monday, 01 March 2010 22:05

CONTRAST HYDROTHERAPY

Contrast Hydrotherapy alternates hot and cold water applications to a local area to increase circulation and healing.  In the initial phases of an injury or an inflammatory condition, you want to use longer amounts of cold, and shorter amounts of hot.  As an injury heals, you want to use more hot and less cold to tonify the muscles.  The example below is a general treatment.
3 minutes Hot:  30 seconds Cold:  3 times

Equipment:
1 Hand Towel - for cold water (large enough to cover are with 1-2 thicknesses of towel)
1 Bath Towel - for hot water ( large enough to cover area with 2-4 thicknesses of towel)
1 One quart pot or kettle to heat hot water
2 Basins - could be two sinks, buckets, footbath pails, large bowls etc....

Set Up:
1.    Prepare one basin with hot water as hot as you can stand it and place bath towel into it.  You may need to have extra hot water to add to basin during treatment, so have kettle prepared with hot water.
2.    Prepare second basin with cold water and add at least one tray of ice cubes to it.  Place hand towel into the the cold water.

Procedure:
1.    Take bath towel from hot basin, wring it out, and place it on the affected area for 3 minutes.
2.    After 3 minutes remove hot towel, wring out cold towel and place on affected area for 30 seconds.
3.    Remove cold towel after 30 seconds.  This is one cycle.
4.    Repeat cycle two more times.
5.    Three full cycles is one treatment.  Always end with cold.

After 3rd cycle, wipe dry.  You have completed a full treatment.

Repeat full treatment ________ times per day.
   

More Articles...

Page 1 of 2