PART 1 

HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY 

1A) HISTORY

Blow enemas, Gravity enemas, Egyptian evidence, Bulb enemas, Microenemas; Essene text.; Kellog, Tilden, Sister Allen, D’Anne Coburn, Milo Siewert, Woods, Dotolo, Aquazone, Transcom systems.

1B) PHILOSOPHY

Auto-toxicity and intestinal toxicity theories- Arbuthnot, Kellog, etc.; Naturopathic view of elimination; Modern view and evidence.

1C) CONTROVERSIES

Bowel perforation risk; Electrolyte disturbance; Water pressure; Blood pressure risks; Bowel flora risks. 

PART 2

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 

2A) ANATOMY

Terminology; Overview of organs of elimination and functions. Waste products.

Whole of gastro-intestinal system anatomy and structure:

Abdominal anatomy – gut, liver, kidneys, spleen, ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, prostate. Pouch of Douglas; Abdominal musculature; Blood vascular system; hepatic portal system; Lymphatics.

Detailed anatomy of the colon: ICV, caecum, ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid, rectum, rectal valve, anus. Haemorrhoidal plexus, anal sphincters.

2B) PHYSIOLOGY

Autonomic nerves: Para- and sympathetic pathways, influence on organs wrt. bowel and gut.

Mesenteric nerves – functions; Hormonal & neurological influence on nerves and peristalsis.

Nitrous oxide and nitrous oxide synthase; Neurological reflexes: ortho-colic, gastro-colic and others.

Motility:

How the bowel moves, 24 hour motility traces; Brief introduction to motility abnormalities (hyper and hypo); introduction to radiological interpretation of X-rays and CT scans; Functions of the colon.

2C) TESTS

Blood pressure; Abdominal palpation; Auscultation; Digital rectal exams.

Laboratory tests: Stool tests for digestion, parasites, etc. plus interpretation; of colour, texture and form.

WRITTEN INTERNAL ASSESSMENT EXAM. 

PART 3

DISEASE STATES 

3A) ORGANIC DISEASES OF THE COLON

Aetiology and symptoms of; Inflammatory diseases: Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease.

Appendicitis; Diverticulosis/it is; Fissures; Haemorrhoids; CA colo-rectal

Conventional diagnostic methods of above, and orthodox treatments.

Complementary treatment protocols for above, incl. colonics.

3B) FUNCTIONAL CONDITIONS OF THE COLON

IBS; Constipation; ICV problems; Adhesions; Hernia

Diagnosis, symptoms, and orthodox/complementary treatment of the above.

3C) Discussion on causation of the above.

3D) Stool types. Bristol chart; Significance of colour, texture and form.

PART 4

INDICATIONS & CONTRA-INDICATIONS 

4A) Indications

IBS; Constipation; Bowel cleansing & fasting; secondary conditions.

4B) Absolute contra-indications.

Elevated B.P.; Malignancy; Inflammation; Etc.

4C) Relative contra-indications

Pregnancy; Etc.

4D) Spiritual & Emotional

4E) Special precautions for treating children. 

PART 5

EQUIPMENT AND CLINIC SET-UP 

5A) Water filtration: what can be removed, importance of, suppliers.

5B) Gravity systems – room layout, diagrams, water heating, plumbing, resources.

5C) Machines – suppliers, room layout, plumbing.

5D) Diagram of treatment room set-up.

PART 6

DISINFECTION/STERLISATION/SANITATION 

6A) The importance of adequate disinfectation of re-usable equipment. 

Recommended sterilants, their use and procedure; Autoclaves; The importance of removing macroscopic debris; Soaking times; Tubing; Stainless steel specula; Association recommendations.

6B) Disinfectation of machines.

(Refer to suppliers handbooks)

6C) Sanitation

Cleaning of therapy room, washroom facilities, gowns, towels, etc.

WRITTEN INTERNAL ASSESSMENT EXAM.

PART 7 

REVIEW 

Brief discussion review of:

A&P

Functions of the colon

Hyper and Hypo-tonic bowels

Stool identification

Clinical applications

Case histories

Problems encountered from parts 1 - 6 

PART 8 

CLIENT HANDLING 

7A) Booking and reception.

7B) Case history taking.

Uniform case history form; Detailed discussion on main points.; Provision of uniform case history forms.

7C) Referrals from other practitioners.

Protocol. Reporting.

7D) Practitioner dress and manner.

7E) Draping. 

WRITTEN INTERNAL ASSESSMENT on parts 1-6 and 8 

PART 9 

NUTRITION 

Brief overview

Organs associated with digestion:  Mouth & dentition Stomach Duodenum Jejunum Ileum Bowel Liver Gall bladder  Pancreas

Digestion, Absorption and Excretion of:

Carbohydrates Fats Proteins Vitamin B12 Vitamin A

Non-digestible polysaccharides Role in nutrition and bowel function Different types, properties and food sources. Concentrated fibre sources.

Dietary protocols for:

Constipation. IBS Ulcerative colitis Crohn’s disease. Dysbiosis Diverticulitis Haemorrhoids Parasites Weight loss Candida

Water and Hydration.

PART 10 

BOWEL FLORA 

Importance of micro-organisms.

Spatial exclusion Immune function & support. Vitamin production. Volatile fatty acid production.

Types of bowel flora

Main species –symbionts; Pathogens

Population dynamics Support for bowel flora; Dysbiosis Antibiotics Diet Surgery. Recognition and treatment.

PARASITES 

Roundworm (Ascaris)

Pinworm (Threadworm)

Treatment protocols.

Orthodox and Herbal.

WRITTEN INTERNAL ASSESSMENT 

PART 11 

HERBS Overview of the use of herbs

Brief study of:

Enema herbs and characteristics:

Cathartics: Aloes, Cascara, Senna, Buckthorn

Laxatives: Garlic, Goldenseal, Barberry

Anti-spasmodics: Wild Yam, Cramp bark, Raspberry, Lobelia, Peppermint, Fennel seed, Ginger

Hepatics: Curled dock root, Burdock root, Barberry bark, Milk thistle seed,,Goldenseal root

Blood cleansers: Red Cover flowers

Nervines: German Chamomile Etc.

Rates of use: Oral and rectal.

Dilution

Forms available : Tinctures, fluid extracts, powders, standardised. 

PART 12 

PRACTICAL IMPLANTING

Via enema bucket

Via syringe & catheter

OF:

Herbs Probiotics  Prebiotics 

CLEANSING REGIMES 

Discussion of protocols for:

Fasting Mono diets: Rice, Grape, etc. Jensen cleanse Liver/gall bladder Cleansing Kidney Cleansing

Subsidiary measures:

Skin brushing Castor oil packs Steam/sauna Salt baths 

PART 13 

TREATMENT PROTOCOLS 

For:

HYPOTONIC BOWELS ,HYPERTONOC BOWELS, NORMAL BOWELS, INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS (Encompassing colonics, diet, herbs, vits/mins). 

PART 14 

ALLIED THERAPIES 

The interconnections between colon hydrotherapy and:

Herbalism Homoeopathy Chiropractic/Osteopathy Nutrition Massage Hypnotherapy Orthodox Medicine. 

PART 15 

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 

ARCH RULES & CODE OF ETHICS.

Publicity Office management Record keeping, filing and legal requirements. Accounting. Business plans Charging. ARCH membership requirements, application form.

FINAL WRITTEN INTERNAL ASSESSMENT 

PART 16 

RESOURCE LIST

BOOK LIST

RECOMMENDED READING 

PRACTICUM 

Throughout the course, each student will give at least three treatments and receive at least two; these will be written up on the uniform case history form and will be supplemented by a further five treatments to make up a minimum of ten treatments under supervision to qualify for membership application to the ARCH.

Observations during treatments will be made of:

The role of water temperature and pressure.

Digital rectal examinations – male & female.

Insertion of speculum.

Massage techniques.

Palpation & auscultation,

Diagnosis from observations during treatment.

Diagnosis of hyper- and hypo-tonic bowels.

Common problems encountered and solutions to them. 

The course is internally assessed and is intended to be followed by an external written and practical exam set, invigilated and marked by the Association and Register of Colon Hydrotherapists (the latter subject to confirmation) 

Notes: This course covers the approved syllabus set by The Association and Register of Colon Hydrotherapists. Membership is not automatic, and subject to application and scrutiny by a membership committee. The course is currently conducted in two one-week units, with Parts 1-6 taught by Dr Milo Siewert and parts 7-16 by Mr Roger Groos. Manuals are provided, and the tutored time will equal or exceed 100hours. It is expected personal home study will also be 100hours between the two units, and may entail pre-course recommended reading.

For current fees, please contact us.

Enrolment pre-requisites: Prospective students must either be trained in conventional medicine ( MD or RGN) or  hold a verifiable pass certificate in a body-based therapy which should have  been a minimum two-years  full time or three years part-time course,  including in-depth anatomy and physiology.