Local Business: Gut Instincts

After a Christmas of indulgence Liz Trundle braves the world of colonic hydrotherapy to re-establish digestive health!

Lady Diana is credited with starting the fad; rock star Courtney Love was said to be a big fan; and American R & B artist Usher found the process an ideal anti-dote to ‘an unhealthy touring lifestyle’.

The ‘process’ I refer to is colonic hydrotherapy - the passing of 60 litres of warm filtered water through the large intestine in a bid to de-clog the system of toxins and waste. Since Lady Diana’s confession to weekly treatments (‘to take all the agro out of me’) the therapy has made a steady passage from alternative to mainstream. And now Steyning has its very own colon cleansing specialist – Morag Bouterse MACH (Association of Colonic Hydrotherapists) - who offers treatments twice a week at Body Matters and whose appointment book is far from empty.

On the basis that none of the negative reports I’d read had mentioned anything more serious than an urgent need to use the lavatory, I thought I’d give it a go. My initial appointment included an introductory chat about the treatment, my own ‘bowl movement’ history and diet. The aim of a colonic is to rid the bowl of waste that builds up over time so that you can re-establish an effective micro-biotic environment and regular, healthy bowl movements. In short, a clean slate for the digestive tract.

The benefits? Anything from regaining regularity to improved skin, reduced in anxiety/ headaches, increased energy and better sleep. I was up for any of those.

There’s no doubt that I initially underestimated the degree of bodily intrusion involved in having a colonic. As a busy mum, I thought that given then the opportunity to lie down on a therapeutic couch in the middle of the afternoon I would inevitably fall asleep. “Ok if I shut my eyes?” I beamed. “You’d be my first client ever to fall asleep during treatment!” Morag laughed.

I now understand why.

If the sight of the tank doesn’t stir you into an immediate state of alert, then the insertion of the funnel and repeated pumping action – though gentle and far from the point of pain – will keep you fully conscious. “Men find it more uncomfortable”, Morag reassured me. (Actor Ben Afflick reportedly declared post-treatment: “I lost my virginity all over again that day in so many ways!”) As for me it was nothing a few deep breaths couldn’t sort out.

Morag’s knowledge, enthusiasm and total frankness about the ‘dirty end’ of the human anatomy is very illuminating. I learnt a lot about post-treatment dietary ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’, though at times it was tricky to focus on conversation! It took 20 minutes – and the addition of Morag’s ‘special herbs’ - for my system to even start the act of purification. But there was no mistaking when it did respond. “It’s all flowing now,” declared Morag. “You can hear it - k-plunk!”

I came away feeling fragile, tender and a little heady. However I did manage to walk home without any urgent need to dash to the nearest loo. And after a good night’s sleep, I have to say I felt positively spritely and invigorated. Most importantly it was followed by a good few weeks of regularity.

Mission accomplished!

To contact Morag call 01273 267445

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