If you have irritable bowel syndrome, the Gut Trust can be of invaluable help. From communicating with people going through the same as you, to being able to access latest IBS news, and being able to talk to qualified nurses who are IBS specialists, it's worth a small membership fee (currently £24 a year).
As well as being able to access the information on their website, membership benefits include a quarterly members' journal 'Gut Reaction', a 'Can't Wait' card to help you get to a toilet in an emergency**, access to local self-help groups, a specially written Self Management Programme written by Prof. Nick Read and much more.
** that's where we come in...if you're shopping in Grimsby and need the loo in a hurry, just pop in, flash your card and you're sorted!
So, why did we get in touch to offer this? My e-mail to the Gut Trust explains:
I did my MMedSci at Sheffield and my dissertation on the effect of liquorice on IBS was printed in Gut Reaction (GR52 Jan 2004). I have since qualified as a colon hydrotherapist and help many people with their IBS symptom management - as a sufferer myself, I do know how colonics help me...We would like to open our toilets to Gut Trust members so they can use our facilities if necessary.
We've been asked what the Chi machine is, mentioned in some of our colonic packages, so here's the lowdown:
The Chi machine is a very low impact form of exercise, suitable for people of any age and those with physical limitations preventing traditional exercise (no stress is put on the spine, joints, heart or lungs). It is generally thought that 15 minutes of the Chi machine is the equivalent of 90 minutes of gentle walking. Of course, the Chi machine can't replace a healthy diet and exercise, but can certainly help as part of a balanced lifestyle!
Reported benefits include:
More energy; better sense of wellbeing
More supple joints and better posture
Firming and toning of hips, thighs and buttocks
Improved sleep, breathing and immune system leading to alleviation of stress-related conditions
Improved circulation
Improved function of internal organs e.g. large intestine
It is also thought to help with jet lag, swollen limbs, sports injuries, congested lungs, asthma, cold sensitivity, impaired immune function, arthritis, insomnia, period pains, osteoporosis and many more conditions.
It works by moving your legs from side to side in a wave-like motion, which improves blood and lymph circulation which in turn removes toxins from cells and allows the same cells to absorb vital nutrients. This movement also increases the suppleness of joints and improves muscle tone.
This video was shown on Channel 4's "Supersize Vs Superskinny" on 29th January (Episode 2), and shows the effects of a deep abdominal massage after just one session.
The part on deep abdominal massage starts at 5 minutes and 35 seconds into the video, so press pause, wait for the bar to the right of the play button to more than half fill, then pull the slider across until it reaches 5:35 and press play.
There's two ways that a colonic can be done - either mechanised or by gravity and as far as colon hydrotherapists go, it really comes down to cost and preference. As far as the receiver of the colonic is concerned, they might have something different to say!
Therapists using either system should use a full disposable kit, and filter the water supply (UV, particle and carbon three-stage filtering) to ensure your safety.
At Aqua Viva Health, we don't charge extra for the disposable kit and we use a machine-led therapy - ask to see testimonials from happy clients!
The gravity-fed system is a far older method than any mechanised system - indeed colonics have been traced back thousands of years when only much more primitive systems were possible. The equipment setup costs involved with a gravity-fed system are much lower than with a mechanised counterpart.
How does a gravity-fed colonic work? The basic mechanism of the gravity-fed system are as it sounds - it uses gravity to introduce water at a pressure of about 2 PSI (pounds per square inch) to clear out the bowel. A tank of water at a set height on the wall is heated to a pre-set temperature. Water flows from this into the water inlet pipe, which in turn allows the water into your body. The colon hydrotherapist controls fills and the rate of elimination of water and wastes by manually applying pressure to the waste outlet pipe.
The mechanised colon hydrotherapy system is obviously a far newer technology and incurs much higher setup costs. This cost reflects the extra safety mechanisms and safe plumbing into the waste and water supply to meet legal requirements. Therapists that perform colonics with the mechanised system feel there is much greater control over temperature and pressure.
How does a machine-led colonic work? Water is heated to a defined temperature and flows from the machine into the water inlet pipe, which in turn allows the water into your body. The colon hydrotherapist controls fills and the rate of elimination of water and wastes by turning the pressure gauge up and down (normally between 0.8 to 1.5 PSI) according to client needs.
Conclusion? In the hands of an experienced therapist, both systems (gravity and machine) will produce a good result for the client, and in any colonic, the entire process should be client-led not therapist-dictated. Generally speaking however, gentler treatments can be obtained from a machine-based colonic.
Did you know..? ...A normal bowel movement can build pressure of up to about 1.5 PSI just by itself? ...A standard hospital enema starts at about 2PSI?
NOW BOOKING - no need to pre-register - just ring 01472 722444 or see our abdominal massage webpage.
Deep abdominal massage, also known as colonic massage is a specialised technique that balances internal organs, clears trapped gases and blockages, and releases waste products. This contributes to an overall feeling of wellbeing and treats many stress, bowel, lower back and emotional issues.
It has recently been featured on Channel 4's "Supersize vs Superskinny" and is a very popular "non-invasive colonic".
The massage removes stress and tension from the abdominal area, increases the flow of body fluids and blood to enable better digestion and detoxification, balances function of the digestive tract and increases the absorption of nutrients from the diet. Common abdominal and digestive disorders such as bloating, constipation, fatigue and many more can be addressed through this technique.
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