Prevention and Management is Possible
At the age of fifty, many people go in for a routine colonoscopy. In some ways, it has become a rite of passage into middle age. It’s quite surprising how many people leave with a diagnosis of diverticulosis, or the presence of small pouches that protrude outward from weak spots in the colon. What’s interesting for all to note is that it is estimated that ten percent of people over forty have diverticulosis – escalating to over fifty percent of people over the age of sixty!
If you’re somewhere in that age range and you have been diagnosed with diverticulosis (the mere presence of the sacs), you’re not alone and there’s much you can do to prevent diverticulitis (the inflammation of these pouches), which occurs in ten to twenty-five percent of cases. If you’re approaching forty to sixty, or somewhere within its bounds, and have yet to experience the symptoms that can point to the possible presence of diverticula (such as persistent and recurring cramps, bloating, and constipation), there’s much you can do to avoid this common, and potentially serious, condition.
At the Root of Prevention Lies the Cause!
Poor eliminations, whether due to a personal predisposition to such or the interference that an accumulation of scar tissue can impose, is both Cayce’s primary focus for the cause of these sacs as well as conventional medical wisdom today. Therefore, improving and/or maintaining good eliminations is the first line of defense against the development of diverticulosis and the possible escalation to diverticulitis. Here’s a Cayce plan for colon health that will help prevent and/or manage the progression of this common, but preventable, ailment.
High Fiber, Alkaline-Reacting Diet.
Increasing the amount of fiber in the diet keeps stool soft and lowers pressure inside the colon so that bowel contents can move through easily, thus not causing the formation of sacs nor forcing waste into existing protrusions.
Additonally, insuring that the diet is alkaline reacting assures colon health. Therefore, avoid meats and sweets, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and consider fish as a healthy protein source to build optimum health.
Colonics.
Keep your colon clean through regular colonic treatments. If you are truly in prevention mode, consider a colonic at the change of each season. If you know you have diverticulosis, you might begin with a routine of weekly colonics for two to three weeks, then one a month for three months, then go to the seasonal schedule, increasing frequency if bloating, constipation, or a feeling of toxicity occurs.
Castor Oil Packs.
Externally applied castor oil packs stimulate eliminations. A good routine for the healthier individual is to apply a castor oil pack (see True Health, August 2006) for three consecutive days, for an hour duration each time. If, however, you’re experiencing a bout of diverticular disease symptoms, then increase the duration of the pack to three to four hours for three days consecutively. A half teaspoon of olive oil every two to three hours on the first and second day can also be helpful. Follow this routine until improvement is noted, then revert to three days a week, one hour at a time, every week.
Osteopathy.
One to two osteopathic adjustments weekly for three to four weeks can do much to bring the body into balance and restore the vital forces necessary to bring about health.
Spinal Massage. Massaging along the spine with equal parts olive oil and peanut oil will help stimulate elimination of toxic forces, restoring health throughout the body.
Stretch.
Stretching, especially the abdominal area, can do much to stimulate bowel movements. Don’t overlook the potential helpfulness of this simple recommendation. Hip rotations and forward and backward bends have been very helpful to me, personally.
Above all, take this condition seriously. Work earnestly to prevent it, and your life and health will be enhanced immensely.
Copyright © True Health, October 2006
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Anne Hunt, I am 69 years old and I have had increasing problems for the past 10 years with what I now believe is a problem with my Peyer’s Patches. I will try to see if castor oil packs will help. btw, I am the ONLY person on the planet who witnessed one of Edgar Cayce’s great predictions. Contact me and I will certainly let you know about it.
Ann why is your name Richard here?
Hi Anne, I read your article on Diverticulitis and found it interesting and useful. As a 40 year practitioner I have seen many cases. My only concern was your mention of only Osteopaths for spinal manipulation. I may be wrong but, to my knowledge, there are very few Osteopaths these days whose work is similar to that performed during the Cayce era. In fact, spinal therapy has been relegated to a very minimal role in their practice regimen. Chiropractors on the other hand continue to place primary emphasis on this therapy and its possible role in health and disease and have generally a much larger hands on experience with spinal manual therapy.
Hello All,
I agree with Dr. Bomar’s comment above. One has to take Cayce’s readings in the context of his era. Being in the health field I know both Chiropractors and Osteopaths and have discussed with them both at length their educational training in regards to spinal adjustments. Every Osteopath has told me their training in that area was minimal and they were taught very general manipulations, not the specificity that Chiropractors are taught. It certainly was not the focus of their education. Obviously Chiropractors sole focus is spinal manipulations so their expertise is greater in today’s world.
Also, Dr. Riley whom Cayce sent many of his clients to for treatment, was a chiropractor.
I too wondered why Richard Dowell introduced himself as Anne Hunt
I was wondering about herbal remedies for diverticulitis? Was there any mentioned?
Diverticulitis was not mentioned in the Cayce Readings, but the symptoms were. These products may help with Diverticulitis:
Slippery Elm Powder
American Saffron
Herbal Tonic 208
as well as taking a walk after dinner.