Re: What does it take to make colonics my profession

I no longer perform colonics, but I used to use the Woods Gravity Method which does not require machines and instead uses a hand-made apparatus. The only place that I know of that offers formal training for this method is in Florida and provides instructions for constructing the apparatus (I can get the information for you later if you want it) or you can find someone to appentice with.

I was fortunate to go to an I-ACT approved school in the Chicago area that was run by two women who used 3 types of machines between the two of them, both open and closed, and then I apprenticed with someone who taught me the Woods Method. Unfortunately, this school is no longer in operation. I had originally had colonics using the Woods Method and then received colonics during my training with the other types of equipment and simply preferred the Woods to the machines. For me, it was a more comfortable and more thorough colonic.

You are correct about your concerns with I-ACT. It was started by the same people that manufacture the Libbe, although they give their 'stamp' of approval to schools that use all sorts of equipment provided it's FDA approved. Also, I know many colon hydrotherapists who refuse to become members of I-ACT out of concern that if the government starts cracking down on colon hydrotherapists the first people who will be targeted would be members of I-ACT since they would have a nice, long list to work from. I also know that some members of I-ACT have been caught in a terrible double-bind because I-ACT requires their members to use FDA approved equipment, but this equipment carries a sticker on it that says it is only to be used by medical professionals or with their supervision. I know of a few colonic centers in Texas that have been raided, equipment confiscated and shut down because there was not a medical professional working at the facility. They were told that they either had to bring a medical practitioner on board who would supervise and write a prescription for every colonic performed or they could kiss their livelihood goodbye!

I would suggest that you have colonics done with different types of equipment, and especially experience the difference between an open- and closed-system colonic. These two systems are very different, but the machines for each type of colonic are basically the same. The Woods Method is a type of closed-system and it would be the exception to other closed-systems. Get a feel for the different types of colonics for yourself and this will give you a better idea about what direction to go it with your training.

I like the training outline of the link that I sent you because they cover a lot of material that other schools do not. If you like the closed-system I wouldn't be concerned about the Colonet as your only choice. You could easily operate any of the closed-system machines. They all work basically the same with some slight variations of location of controls, etc., but once you've learned this system you could use other machines by following their instruction manually since you would already know the basics.

Personally, I was least fond of the open-system and that is the one that has gotten the most unfavorable attention...and may likely result if stricter government regulations of the profession. I am aware of a few deaths and serious injuries involving colonics in Texas and they all occured with the open-system. They do not use a speculum, but instead use a semi-flexible rectal tube that is inserted much higher into the colon. Many places also advertise that you can perform these colonics yourself with minimal supervision. the injuries were caused because the clients perforated their colons with the rectal tube and were not being closely monitored. I believe there is still pending litigation regarding these cases, and I also believe this is why there has been the crack down in Texas. Nevertheless, I would still advise you to experience it so that you know the difference for yourself. The main ones are the Libbe and the Jimmy John, although there are a few smaller companies that are manufacturing their own versions.

Your own experience is your best teacher...so try out as many different types of colonics that you can before you make your decision. If you were to train in and purchase equipment that you didn't believe did a good job, you're not going to feel good about your equipment or being a colon hydrotherapist and it will effect your clients.