July 7, 2006

Beauty is more than skin deep

New colon hydrotherapy spa opens in Campbell

By Jennifer Robertson
Staff Writer

People spend hundreds of dollars on trips to the gym, cosmetics and diet pills to stay fit and look good, but alternative medicine holds to the adage “beauty comes from within.”

Shannon Law, founder of Radiance Health Solutions, shows off the colonic hydrotherapy room at her new facility in Campbell.

As a result of her passion for holistic health, Shannon Law recently opened Radiance Health Solutions, a clinic with a spa-like atmosphere that focuses on cleansing and strengthening the colon thorough colon hydrotherapy treatments.

Law had been working as a loan officer in Reno, but decided she wanted a career with a more humanitarian focus. She moved to Silicon Valley a couple of years ago and enrolled in a program at JFK University in Campbell to study holistic psychology. Although it was a great program, she knew this was not quite the answer she had been seeking. “I realized there was a faster way to move people through their issues,” she explained with a touch of irony.

Law had been a colonics patient for years as a result of her life-long struggle with depression and weight issues. She decided to follow her heart and obtained her colon hydrotherapist certification through the Internal Environment Institute and the International Association for Colon Hydrothera-py (I-ACT) this year.

Through networking, she met a woman who wished to sell her colonics clinic and Law decided to go for it. She celebrated the grand opening of her clinic last Wednesday with organic, raw appetizers, organic wine, door prizes and gift bags.

Why colon hydrotherapy?
According to Law, the main purpose of colon hydrotherapy is to cleanse the colon of old waste matter to prevent illness and disease. While an enema only reaches part of the large intestine, colonics are able to cleanse the entire colon, which is about six feet in length.

Proponents of colonics feel that our bodies contain toxic material as a result of waste that accumulates in the colon. Due to poor nutrition, poor eating habits and excessive medication, the colon is unable to eliminate properly. As a result, Law says the average adult colon contains about 5-20 pounds of excess waste.

Your health is like a garden, explained Law. If you don’t pull up the weeds by the root, they will continue to grow back, making your garden unhealthy. Western medicine treats the cause, but not the root.

This does not mean that she disapproves of Western medicine, but she feels that if you have tried the Western approach and it’s not working for you, it’s definitely time to try something else. “It’s a piece of the puzzle,” she said. “You still need to have a good diet and to exercise.”

Marge Powers, a career and life strategies coach, who attended the opening, said she was ready to give it a try. She has high blood pressure and is overweight. Her doctor told her she needed to take control of these issues.

Amie Chilson, a realtor in Campbell, is a colonics veteran who receives several treatments a year. Although she is thin and in good shape, she believes colonics are important for detoxification and general wellness. “In order for people to have the type of longevity and quality of life that they wish for, they will need to make colon therapy a part of their routine,” she said.

Several other guests noted that colonics made them felt lighter, cleaner and more energetic.

Opponents of colonics say the process removes the good bacteria in the colon which helps to maintain balance in our bodies. Law assures clients that it is perfectly safe, and she even gives her clients acidophilus tablets and a vitamin-mineral solution after the session. “There are no side effects with colonics, whereas with drugs there are.”

She explained that the body is very resilient and provides good bacteria within about a half hour after the session. “The body is a naturally self-healing organism,” she said reassuringly.

A typical treatment
Walking into Radiance Health Solutions is pleasantly surprising. In sharp contrast to the sterile white walls and minimal décor of many medical facilities, this has the comforts of home combined with the relaxing atmosphere of a spa. Law feels this is what gives her the edge over other clinics.

You will be scheduled for a one-hour visit, but the actual session is 40-45 minutes. After your consultation with a therapist, you will put on a dressing gown, lie on the colonic table, and a certified hydrotherapist will begin the session. The therapist will help you relax by using various breathing and relaxation techniques, including aromatherapy and soft music, as purified warm water cleanses your colon. A separate tube will remove the waste in a “closed” system.

The procedure is not painful. In fact, many people report it to be relaxing. After the session, you might feel lighter, less bloated and more relaxed. Clinics must adhere to very strict federal regulations, so the machine is sterilized at a high temperature and tubes are discarded after each use.

At age 26, Law has just begun on her path in holistic healing. Among her long-term goals is to open a luxury detox resort and spa and to “be the premier colon hydrotherapy and detox center in the South Bay/Peninsula area.”

In addition to colon hydrotherapy sessions, the clinic also offers comprehensive detox and wellness programs.

Radiance Health Solutions is open Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and is located at 281 E. Hamilton Avenue, Suite #9 in Campbell. For more information, contact Shannon Law at (408) 375-4940 or shannon@radiancehealthsolutions.com.