Do You Know the 411 on Colon Hydrotherapy?: Learn about the healthy benefits generated by this procedure, from Chandler's Shellese King-Bassette, DDS

Colon hydrotherapy, also known as colonics or colon therapy, is a natural procedure that has been around since ancient times, but is experiencing tremendous popularity. Simply put, a colonic is a specialized flushing of the colon with warm, filtered water to rid the body of the wastes that have built up in it.

Colon hydrotherapy is frequently used in conjunction with medical procedures. Patients may have a colon therapy series as part of pre- and post-surgery protocol or prior to barium X-rays or colonoscopy procedures. Many athletes use colon hydrotherapy to remove fecal matter and toxins from their systems to improve metabolic efficiency. Some people use colon therapy to help relieve constipation and intestinal distress; quite often due to poor diet or prescription medications. Others seek the benefits of colon therapy during an internal cleanse or body detox, or to kick off a weight-loss or healthy lifestyle program. Some of the desirable results from colon hydrotherapy include:

Cleansing the colon: Colon therapy can loosen and flush away toxic excrement so it doesn't inhibit proper absorption of nutrients and minerals. Toxins that have accumulated over a number of years are gently removed in a series of treatments.

Exercise and reshape the colon: The colon is a muscle. Built-up toxins and fecal matter weaken the colon by stretching it out and impairing its function. The gentle action of filling and emptying the colon with water, along with the massage techniques of the colon therapist, improves the colon's natural muscular contractions (peristalsis). Having colon hydrotherapy is like exercising the colon at the gym.

Whole body hydration: Most people don't drink enough water and are dehydrated on a daily basis. During colon therapy, water is absorbed into the body through the colon, which increases the blood's volume. The circulation of the blood is increased, resulting in a greater hydration of every cell in the body.

Boost in energy: A body filled with toxins just cannot perform at its peak. Sufferers of general fatigue and tiredness often report being more energized and able to handle the demands of daily life following colon hydrotherapy.

Shellese King-Bassette, DDS is the co-owner of Mind, Body and Flow, in Chandler. For more information , visit MindBodyAndFlow.com.