Colon therapy, colonic irrigation, or colon hydrotherapy is an ancient method with plenty of modern-day accolades – celebrities like Goldie Hawn, Jennifer Aniston, and Demi Moore are fans, it is said to alleviate a wide range of common contemporary conditions including stress, irritable bowel syndrome and skin disorders.
By Chloe Schneider
Over the past few years, colonics have gone from an almost-taboo topic to one that girlfriends discuss over coffee but still there is a lot of misleading information out there and a few too many ill-informed individuals. To sort fact from fiction, we spoke to the beautiful Saimaa Miller, owner of The Last Resort Organic Detox Spa, and author of the Aussie Body Diet & Detox Plan, about how it all works…
RESCU: First of all, we have to ask, what on earth made you want to start doing colonics?!
Saimaa Miller: I personally suffered from digestive issues and constipation for years. And colonics combined with healthy nutrition and herbal medicine cured all of my issues. Almost 80% of people walk around the planet with digestive issues. Some suffer and have no idea that they can and should feel so much better.
I started The Last Resort with the mind of bringing awareness to detoxification and colonics. That these things are not reserved for hippies and out-there folk, but the normal person like you and I.
RESCU: What are some of the benefits of colon hydrotherapy and who should look into having it?
Saimaa Miller: Colon hydrotherapy, or colonic irrigation, is the most effective treatment known to detoxify the body, improve digestive function, clear out toxic build-up and improve overall health.
First of all, waste material, especially that which has remained in the colon for some time (i.e. impacted faeces, dead cellular tissue, accumulated mucous, parasites, worms, etc.) can leave us feeling ill, tired or weak.
Second, impacted materials impair the colon’s ability to assimilate minerals and bacteria-producing vitamins.
And finally, a build-up of material on the colon wall can inhibit muscular action causing sluggish bowel movements, constipation, and the resulting symptoms of these disorders such as wind and bloating.
Everyone can benefit from colon hydrotherapy, especially if you suffer from anxiety or stress, constipation or diarrhoea, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, poor immunity, depression, bloating, candida, or skin disorders.
RESCU: Give us the gory details, what actually happens during a session?
Saimaa Miller: Each session is preceded by a lifestyle consultation and throughout the treatment, abdominal massage is conducted to stimulate detoxification and enhance relaxation. In a 45-minute session approximately 15 litres of water is used to gently flush the colon.
Through massage and pressure points, the colon therapist is able to work loose and compacted toxic waste and eliminate far more than any other short-term technique.
After each session you will be given an electrolyte drink and acidophilus supplement to re-balance minerals and re-colonise intestinal flora.
RESCU: What advice do you have for those who want to try it but feel a little uncomfortable about it?
Saimaa Miller: I started out The Last Resort almost ten years ago, when colonics were definitely not as mainstream as they are now. Lots of people would criticise me and the work that I did, but I always let actions speak louder than words, and always found that the people who were critical, had no real idea about colonics – it was simply fear of the unknown.
For those who are a little nervous or embarrassed, always try to remember that most reputable places do probably at least ten colonics every day, day in, day out.
We don’t look at bums but digestive systems, and we as practitioners know that colon therapy is by far the best and most comprehensive way to detoxify the body. Therefore you see and feel results very quickly.
RESCU: Are there any risks involved and should anyone avoid it? For instance, can pregnant and breast-feeding women have colonics?
Saimaa Miller: Being an essentially natural process, there is virtually no danger with a colonic. Our intent is to provide a safe, hygienic and healthy service so that you do not have to worry. Cleaning and sterilisation of the necessary equipment is done as normal procedure and new sterilised tubing and clean linen is used for each colonic.
Pregnancy is a time where a women has other priorities and it is a time for nurturing the body, so colonics are not advised during pregnancy.
In saying that, many pregnant women will have colonics during pregnancy as one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy is constipation.
The Australian Colon Health Association recently put out a statement affirming that colon therapy is safe during breastfeeding.
RESCU: What else can we do to ensure we have a healthy colon?
Saimaa Miller: Hydration and fibre are the two keys for a healthy colon.
And the following as a general guideline:
– Eat cooked or raw food and remember to chew well.
– Eat organic where possible.
– Include fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet e.g. bananas, paw paw, pears, green Apples and lots of green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, celery, parsley etc. The cleansing effect will be enhanced and be beneficial to your bowel and overall health.
– Opt for whole-grains (such as brown rice, quinoa, spelt, rye, kamut and oats) instead of the refined grain alternatives which may include white rice, wheat pasta and most supermarket bread.
– Remember breakfast is the most important meal of the day, as it sets you up for the day ahead.
– If you need a snack during the day, try almonds, pine nuts, sesame seeds, or pumpkin seeds. In general, almond, oat and rice milk are great complements to your diet.
– Avoid red meat as it is hard to digest and requires a longer transit time. White meat, fish and vegetarian meals are a good alternative.
– Avoid mucous forming foods. These include refined grains, dairy products and a high intake of soy products.
Rescu. Roadtest: We visited Saimaa and her lovely team at The Last Resort to roadtest this detox treatment and, we must admit, we weren’t anticipating the experience to be anywhere near as relaxing and enjoyable as it was.
During the session our colon therapist talked us through each step, answered all our admittedly silly questions without batting an eye, and gently massaged our stomach to work some of the waste out.
When it was all over, we were informed of any digestive issues that were identified and left feeling lighter, more hydrated, and incredibly relaxed.
Colonic irrigation may not sound as luxurious or relaxing as some other’s we’ve been lucky enough to roadtest, but it certainly is a firm favourite and one that will bring us back for more!
Watch Saimaa and Jess Gomes talk colonics on the Morning Show a few months ago – incredible to think this once-taboo topic is now appropriate breakfast conversation between a model and a health professional!
Check our Saimaa’s blog Aussie Body Diet. If you love it, make sure to nominate Saimaa in the Positive Life Change category in the Bupa Australia Health Blog Awards.