April 1998

Cleaner colon

Colon cleansing as a therapy

By Irene Chow

Not many people give much thought to keeping their colons clean.

However, it is believed that colon cleansing can refresh the body and cure constipation, a common problem in Hong Kong.

In 1992, Dr. Alexander Yuan founded the Hong Kong Colon Hydrotherapy Centre. It was the first place providing colon hydrotherapy in Hong Kong.

Colon hydrotherapy, first recorded in 1500 B.C., was a popular treatment in the 1930s and ’40s.

Photo by Irene Chow

Said Dr. Yuan: “Toxins and malnutrition are the two main causes of intestinal illnesses. We focus on detoxification with nutritional supplements.”

Colon cleansing is said to be able to remove toxic materials, relieve intestinal stress and stimulate movement of the muscles of the colon, a movement called peristalsis. Peristalsis enhances the function of the colon and eliminates waste.

Peristalsis also enhances the absorption of nutrients from the caecum, which is the pouch at the top of the large intestine, and ascending colon.

The absorption of toxic wastes is thus minimized. The burden imposed on the liver is thus reduced, allowing the organs to function well.

Therefore, it is believed that colon cleansing can alleviate the problem of constipation, diarrhoea, fatigue, gas, skin problems and so on.

People preparing for intestinal examinations and surgeries sometimes undergo colon cleansing.

Dr. Yuan said that even pregnant women can have colon cleansing.

However, people who are too nervous or have a bleeding intestine should not seek this treatment.

A colon cleansing machine consists of a pressure controller, a temperature controller, an observation tube and monitoring gauges.

At the beginning of colon cleansing, the therapist inserts a small, lubricated speculum into the client’s rectum through the anus.

Colon cleansing equipment .

Warm filtered water is infused mechanically into and out of the large intestine. The water dilutes and removes excessive gases, mucus, infectious materials, bacterial toxins and faeces in the large intestine.

The wastes are evacuated through the hose attached to the instrument and eliminated via a drain line.

The system is entirely closed, so there is no foul odour.

Water pressure and temperature are continually monitored throughout the treatment.

During the process, the therapist massages the patient’s abdomen to facilitate the removal of waste.

The client can also watch the expelled wastes passing through a special window.

One session of the therapy usually lasts for 45 minutes.

Bentonite clay, herbal medicine and other supplements that enhance the cleansing process may be administered with the inflowing water.

Dr. Yuan said that ozone is also a supplement. It can oxygenate the body and kill anaerobic viruses.

However, Dr. Joseph Sung, chief of gastroenterology of the Prince of Wales Hospital, said that it is safe if only water is infused into the intestine.

“Substances other than water may be absorbed, but these may not be good for the body,” said he.

Miss Mary Suritil is a supporter of natural therapy and has undergone six colon cleansing sessions.

“I considered it for a long time after reading about colon cleansing in a magazine,” said she.

But she described her first experience as awful. She said that she sweated a lot and did not enjoy the treatment.

“But I knew that if I did not try it once more, I would never go back,” she said. “Actually it is not so painful at all.”

Miss Michelle Lung has suffered from constipation for many years and has taken the treatment for six months.

“My doctor recommended colon cleansing to me,” said she. “I treated it as the last resort.”

She said she was quite nervous and embarrassed during the first treatment.

“But the treatment ran smoothly and I felt comfortable,” said Miss Lung. “That is why I went on with it.”

Hydrotherapy proponent Dr. Alexander Yuan: Colon cleansing helps remove toxins, one of the main causes of intestinal illnesses.

At Dr. Yuan’s centre, one session costs $400.

Spending about $4,500 on the treatment every month, Miss Lung thinks it is worthwhile because she does not suffer from constipation anymore.

Miss Suritil said money should not be given precedence over health.

Dr. Yuan recommends a programme of 10 sessions that lasts for six weeks.

The programme consists of three sessions in the first week, two in each of the following two weeks and one in each of the last three weeks.

Afterwards, the client can have a session every two or three months.

But Dr. Yuan said that it depends a lot on the situation of the client.

“Some clients come every week after the completing the program,” said he.

The four therapists at the centre also provide the clients with guidance to a proper diet and exercise, which enhance the effects of the therapy.

Apart from going to the centre, it is possible to have colon cleansing at home.

A syringe bulb is an appropriate device for infants. An enema bag can also be used.

The principles of using these devices are similar to those in the centre.

But Dr. Yuan said that devices at his centre offer a more thorough cleansing.

Said Miss Lung: “An enema bag is convenient when going on a trip. But I can get a better cleansing in the centre.

However, Dr. Sung of the Prince of Wales Hospital has a sceptical attitude towards such treatment.

He said that the safety of the treatment depends on the width of the speculum, which should be inserted into the patient carefully.

He said there is no objective scientific evidence proving that there is a relationship between colon cleansing and curing of diseases.

He doubted whether there is a need to remove the contents of the intestine.

“The intestine has continuous secretions such as mucus, and its cells dislodge continuously, undergoing self cleansing,” said he. “Some bacteria protecting our body, which are important to our health, may be removed as well.”

But he admitted that colon cleansing might help the patients psychologically, making them feel cleaner.

Miss Suritil said that she feels cleaner and psychologically better because it seems that she lets something go.

Physically, she has a flatter stomach and better vision.

She said that she will continue the treatment even if she leaves Hong Kong.

Miss Lung said that the treatment made her more energetic and she would also continue the treatment.

In order to introduce the therapy to the public, Dr. Yuan’s centre holds a 3-hour talk each month.

Dr. Yuan said he would like to establish an environment where everyone can choose the therapy he or she likes.

“I hope one day patients will be empowered to look after themselves,” said Dr. Yuan. “But there is still a long way to go.”

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