QUESTIONS:

Why should I be concerned about my colon?
The colon has been described as the sewer system of the human body. The human colon is about 5 feet long and about 15 cms wide and may contain anywhere between 5 and 25 pounds of waste matter. Health begins in the colon and so does illness. If undigested food sits in the colon for any length of time the colon gradually becomes narrower. This is similar to the waste pipes in your house being furred up with calcium deposits ! The waste matter becomes putrified and forms toxins. These toxins seep through the walls of the colon and gradually invade the body, creating toxic areas elsewhere.

One in three people consulting GP's are suffering from a bowel problem. Bowel disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Colitis, Diverticulitis and yeast infections such as Candida are now widespread. Indeed, according to the Chief Medical Officer`s Report (2003) bowel cancer in Northern Ireland is the second most common cause of cancer death in the region (with around 1,000 cases of the disease diagnosed per year and around 40 bowel cancer patients dying each month).

Colon hydrotherapy, practised by properly trained practitioners (eg those who have studied at a School recognised by the Association & Register of Colon Hydrotherapists or Guild of Colon Hydrotherapists or 1-ACT (International Association of Colon Therapists)) is a safe, effective method of removing waste from the large intestine, without the use of drugs. For those who value good health, regular inner cleansing and elimination of waste products from the bowel (through colonic hydrotherapy) should become part of their lifestyle and be as important as proper digestion of fresh, nutritious food and taking regular exercise.

What does colonic treatment involve ?
On your arrival at the clinic you will be greeted by the therapist and you will be asked to complete a detailed questionnaire (if you have not already done this On-Line) relating to your Lifestyle, Diet and medical history. You will also be asked to sign a Consent form giving your consent to the colonic irrigation treatment. The initial consultation and treatment will typically last around 90 minutes. During your treatment you will wear a cotton Body Wrap - which will be briefly opened while you are lying on your left side of the treatment couch - to allow insertion of the speculum at the commencement of the treatment and withdrawal of the speculum at the conclusion of the session.

The colonic session will last 40 minutes and begin with the very gentle insertion of a plastic (disposal) speculum (lubricated with herbal Chickweed cream) into the client`s rectum. The speculum is connected to two plastic tubes which attach to the colonic machine (a high-tech Transcom HC-2000 machine - the only one of it`s type in N.Ireland - which gives extremely comfortable colonics and is fitted with high safety systems for pressure and temperature ). The thinner hose pipe is the water line which carries water from the machine into the client's colon and the thicker, corrugated outlet hose carries the waste which is expelled from the client's colon. The client will then be asked to turn over onto their back with their knees bent and their dignity preserved with a large towel draped over their legs. The client will feel a little pressure as the therapist commences fills of water into the colon - but this will only be for short periods (eg 10 - 15 seconds) - before the therapist empties the water and releases the pressure). Gentle abdominal massage (to facilitate releases) will be carried out periodically during the colonic session and clients can also massage their abdomen with the aid of a Belly Ball (specially designed for colonic sessions).

Herbal or Coffee enemas are an integral part of a colonic session and greatly assist in inducing releases. The release sequence will induce peristalsis (wave-like motions along colon wall) in the colon - which facilitates the expulsion of faeces. The client can observe the waste fecal matter being expelled from their colon as it travels along a clear view tube on the machine en-route to the sewer.

Does a colonic hurt?
Colonic treatment is not painful. You may feel some build-up of pressure as the water fills the colon, which is quite normal, but this pressure will only be for very short periods of time (literally seconds). Sometimes you may get cramping - particularly before a release - but this discomfort can be relieved by some abdominal massage and deep breathing.

The Transcom HC-2000 Colonic machine is known for it's excellent safety and comfort and automatically shuts off when pressure exceeds 1.42 PS1 (pound per square inch) or when the water temperature exceeds 40? Centigrade. Clients who have experienced other colonic machines often comment on how much more comfortable their session has been on the Transcom machine.

How should a person prepare for a colonic session ?
To get the best out of a colonic session requires some preparation on behalf of the client and the following steps will all prove helpful :

• Increase your water consumption to 1.5 - 2 litres of water a day and cut out tea (apart from herbal / Green tea), coffee and alcohol.
• If your are constipated take 1 heaped tablespoon of crushed / milled linseed (also known as flaxseed per day in cereal, fruit juice or yoghurt.
• Take 2 teaspoons of aloe vera juice twice daily
• The day before the appointment eat a variety of fruits (especially apples) and vegetables.
• Some exercise is helpful (eg walking)
• Reduce your intake of refined foods (white flour, sugars, and mucous producing foods - eg dairy products)
• Avoid all fried foods, all junk foods and red meats

What can a person eat after a colonic ?

• Following a colonic session bananas and apples are highly recommended as they contain the necessary minerals to replenish the electrolytes you may have lost during the session (sodium, potassium and magnesium).
• Vegetable soup is also very good - particularly if you are feeling a little cold after the colonic session.
• Avoid meat, bread, dairy produce and alcohol for 24 hours after the colonic treatment.
• Drink plenty of water / fresh fruit juices
• Take a probiotic supplement (eg Pre-Bio 7 - available Holland & Barrett £9.99 for 40 capsules - take 1 per day) daily to restore the good bacteria which is lost during a colonic treatment.

How long does a session last?
Typically a session lasts 40-45 minutes - but your first session will take around one hour - as a medical case history / questionnaire will have to be completed prior to your treatment.

How many sessions will I need ?
It is recommended that you book a course of colonic treatments (eg 4 - 6) if you have never had colonics before. The waste in your colon will most likely be hardened and compacted (over years) and it will take at least 4 sessions to loosen and expel this fecal matter. Thereafter you should have a 'maintenance' colonic at least once every 2-3 months.

What might I experience after a colonic session ?
After a colonic session you may or may not experience immediate results or changes (this will very much depend on how much you expelled in terms of releases). Many clients report experiencing a sense of cleanness and lightness, increased energy and mental alertness, improved vision etc. Occasionally you may experience a headache - as a result of toxins being released from the system - but this should not be prolonged. It is quite common not to have a bowel movement for a few days after the colonic. This is quite normal and no cause for concern, your bowel movements will return to regularity after a number of days. Some long term benefits may include better skin appearance, improved energy levels and better sleeping patterns. The risk of bowel cancer is diminished and nutrients are better absorbed - resulting in all-round improvement in health and vitality.

How much waste matter can a person lose per session ?
This is very much an individual thing. Sometimes a person (particularly in a first session) releases very little - other times they may release large quantities. Generally the more relaxed the person, the better releases they are likely to experience. In Moira Colonic Clinic some clients have lost as much as 6 - 8 pounds of waste fecal matter during one colonic session - though it should be emphasised that this is not the norm.

Can colonics help me lose weight ?
Yes, although we do not promote colonic irrigation as a 'quick-fix weight loss therapy'. The villi which covers the lining of the small intestine, absorbs and delivers fluids and nutrients to the blood, which in turn nourishes body cells. When the villi is coated with waste fecal matter it cannot properly absorb nutrients. This is why the body is unable to effectively assimilate any good nutrients and over-weight people typically have to eat twice as much in order to assimilate the nutrients. The expulsion of waste from the colon will result in much better assimilation of nutrients by the digestive system - typically meaning people need to eat less and hence lose weight as a result.

How do I know if a Colonic Practitioner is properly qualified ?
Always ask about the practitioner's qualifications - do not be afraid to ask to see their Colonic Certificates and Public Liability Insurance. Reputable therapists will usually have these displayed in their Clinics anyway. Unfortunately there are people giving colonic treatments who are not properly trained and hold no specialist colonic qualifications.

You are best advised not to risk going to therapists who are not properly trained through a recognised School of Colonic Hydrotherapy (eg in UK - a School recognised by the Association and Register of Colon Hydrotherapists or Guild of Colonic Hydrotherapists or The Institute of Professional Colon Hydrotherapy (I.P.C.H) or I-ACT (International Association of Colon Therapists) and affiliated to one of these ruling bodies. A therapist who is trained to (and who has received) a Diploma (or equivalent) in Colonic Hydrotherapy from one of the above Colonic bodies will have proved themselves to be competent and knowledgeable practitioners.

Des McCready holds a Diploma in Colonic Hydrotherapy (from Scottish School of Colon Hydrotherapy) plus I-ACT Intermediate Level Certificate in Colon Hydrotherapy, a Diploma in Nutrition (VTCT), a Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology (School of Natural Health Sciences)' a CIBTAC Diploma in Thermal-Auricular Therapy (Ear Candling) and Counselling qualifications (OCR Certificate in Counselling) in addition to 3 academic degrees (from Queens University, University of Ulster and University of Lancaster - School of Education).

How much do colonic treatments cost ?
Colonic treatments at Moira Colonic Clinic are the best value in Ireland. In Southern Ireland a colonic typically costs 120 - 130 Euro per session and in Northern Ireland anywhere from £60 - £70 per session. In Moira Colonic Clinic we charge £50 for the initial session (which includes full consultation, free Advice Sheets, Dietary Advice etc) and £45 for subsequent sessions. We also have a Special Offer of 4 colonic sessions for the price of 3 (a saving of £35) - at a superb price of only £150 (which can be paid in 3 installments of £50). A booking deposit (non-refundable) of £30 must be paid in advance at time of booking (deducted from balance of treatment at first session) - which is forfeited if a client does not turn up or if a minimum 48 hours notice is not given to us of a cancelled appointment ( see our Clinic Cancellation Policy ).