Teresa Ducoffe – Owner of Atlanta Colonic & Massage (ACM)

Hi, my name is Teresa Ducoffe. I’m a wife and mother, a Certified Colon Hydrotherapist, Certified Massage Therapist and owner of Atlanta Colonic & Massage (ACM). I am excited to share more about myself, my staff, and what services at Atlanta Colonic and Massage offers, to support you on your journey to wellness.

Getting “into” this business…
Often people ask me how I “got into this business”. I became interested in the alternative health and wellness field about 20 years ago when my daughter, Candace, became ill with a severe case of Candida, and I was introduced to colonics 4 years ago after a health challenge of my own.

I previously owned and operated a therapeutic massage practice but closed the practice due to some growing physical limitations. I wanted to stay in service of people and in the alternative health field of medicine, but in what capacity I was unsure. As time passed, increasingly negative symptoms began to take hold of my life. I found myself with ulcers, fatigue, depression, a daughter with a severe case of Candida and finally I was diagnosed with cancer. That is when nutrition and supplementation began to take a vital role in my life and the lives of my family. I began to investigate alternative approaches to health and wellness, involving finding the cause, not simply treating symptoms as I had typically experienced with the traditional medical community. I began to make regular visits to a holistic chiropractor, taking supplements, and reading. As I was making adjustments in my lifestyle, structural body and learning about nutrition, I began to want to take control of my health. I liked being and feeling well.

About 10 years ago, I developed a hard, sore area in my abdomen, and being a cancer survivor, I sought out the medical community. After extensive tests, the doctors found nothing. I chose to return to the alternative field of medicine where, with research; much like you are doing now, came across Colonics also know as Colon Hydrotherapy. I did not realize that we human should typically have bowel movements after each meal. Of course, looking back on the habits of my two children as babies, they had a bowel movement after every meal. It had never occurred to me that this habit should continue throughout our lives.

I located a Colonic provider in the Atlanta and purchased a package of 12 treatments, which I used over a 4 week period. The experience was truly amazing! On, about my 8th cleanse, with a bit of nausea and mild cramps, the hard, sore area in the colon area dissolved, releasing a black sludge-like material. The soreness was minimal and the place in my abdomen was gone. It was then I knew Colon Hydrotherapy would be my chosen profession in the field of alternative health and wellness. I wondered why no one seemed to know about this incredible modality. I read that the holistic practice of Colon hydrotherapy dated back to as early as the 4th century. I later studied in school that Colon Hydrotherapy was intentionally removed from hospitals and nursing homes by the medical profession in the 1970’s as medicine transitioned more into prescribing drugs and surgery. I wanted to learn more about this lost art, so I continued my education and went on to become a Nationally Certified Colon Hydrotherapist.

Experiencing colonics during the last 6 years, I have had the opportunity to visit several Colon Hydrotherapists and try different methods and devices. I found the LIBBE is my top choice. It provides me with the best results and the most privacy. My desire is not only to offer the most comfortable equipment to my clients, but the professionalism and knowledge that I wanted from my Colon Hydrotherapist. I feel it is important that every client has a basic understanding of the digestive system that will lead them to making wise food and supplementation choices for their personal needs.

There’s an old computer expression that says: “garbage in, garbage out”. I find the more I cleanse, the more I want to eat a balanced diet, exercise, and get adequate rest. I have an incredible desire to share this “Lost Art of Cleansing” with everyone I come in contact with, hence the creation and birth of Atlanta Colonic and Massage.
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Candace Layer

When I was only 9 months old, I was diagnosed with kidney reflux disease. The doctor prescribed long term antibiotics to keep the kidney from becoming infected. By age 2, my immune system began to break down and I was constantly battling sinus infections and strep throat, for which additional antibiotics were prescribed. There was a constant threat of having my tonsils removed. And then there was . . . . CANDIDA! During my young life, I had the opportunity to experience systemic Candida in a very real and uncomfortable way. I had constant vaginal itching, so bad in fact, that I could barely sit down. It lead my mother and father to extensive research, in which I had countless tests performed by doctors who knew little, if anything, about this condition that over 80 million Americans suffer from.

At 5 years old, I had surgery to correct the kidney reflux disease. The surgery was successful, but the vaginal itching continued, and the sinus infections and strep throat raged on. My mother began to return to doctors for help, to no avail. It was suggested that my mother take me to see a physiatrist, saying that I had been itching so long that I was imagining the problem. They could find no outward signs of Candida, and therefore said I did not have the problem.

Around 1994, my mother discovered a nutritional line called Biometics along with the alternative field of medicine. I began seeing a chiropractor, who educated my mother on homeopathics, herbs, and proper diet. We drastically changed my diet, even to the point that we made my condiments at home and I began taking Biometics nutritional supplements and vitamins, herbs and probiotics, along with a strict diet to cleanse my system of the overgrowth of Candida. The itching began to subside until finally I was able to function as a “normal” child. I continued taking Biometics which gradually helped build up my immune system. I did not need to see a doctor for the 8 years that followed. My personal dietary habits have changed dramatically as I gained a better understanding of the causes, symptoms, and solutions to Candida overgrowth.

Colonics is yet another avenue that I have recently discovered. I am somewhat of an inquisitive skeptic. I must do all my research before I will tell you something is worthwhile. Colonics has been an amazing discovery. I thought myself to be in relatively good health, but the first time I cleansed I was proven wrong. My body was still in desperate need of detoxification and that Candida was still residing in my colon.

I decided to try The Master Cleanse. During this time, I ate nothing and continued to cleanse. It was amazing to me that 8 days after I had eaten nothing I was still removing old toxic waste from my body. At this point I knew what my new career path was. I went to school and I am now a Certified Colon Hydrotherapist!

I would not be where I am today if not for my mother’s interest in natural health and wellness. I can honestly say that I believe in what I do and would recommend alternative medicine and colon hydrotherapy to everyone male and female alike. I am a firm believer that everyone should experience regular Colon Hydrotherapy for a lifetime, which is why I have decided to embark on this adventure at Atlanta Colonic and Massage with my mom, and share this with everyone I know and meet.
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Gladys Atha

I first discovered alternative medicine when my granddaughter was faced with severe Candida. Her mother (my daughter) went to every doctor and specialist to no avail. That is when I got into the field of alternative medicine.

I am 79 years old, and I am in perfect health, and on no drugs. I contribute this to my steady diet of Biometics over the past 16 years, as well as my infrared sauna, (that I enjoyed so much I bought one for my home), my weekly colonics, alkaline water (I also purchased a unit for my home), and ionic footbaths. Since I have been using these modalities, my arthritis has vastly improved, and my mobility has improved tenfold.

After starting Biometics, I can rarely remember a time when I have been sick, and I only visit my doctor for routine checkups.
I am very excited to be back in the working force helping with this wonderful new endeavor, Atlanta Colonic & Massage. My wish is to help people restore their health and well-being without the use of prescription drugs.

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Gail Sweatland

Hi, my name is Gail Sweatland and I have been a practicing Colon Hydrotherapist for six years.

Before practicing Colon Hydrotherapy, I was a hair stylist and owned and operated two hair salons in northwest Florida for over twenty-five years. This is long time exposure to toxic chemicals. I have been working to eliminate these poisons from my tissues and cells, through the use of diet and detoxification.

I have been interested in the mind-body connection and the powers of the subconscious mind for many years. I studied psychology and hypnotherapy at St. John’s University, where I received my Bachelors Degree.

I owned and operated a hypnotherapy clinic in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and also in Dallas, Texas. I have done numerous lectures speaking to different organizations and universities, including Okaloosa Walton College, and The University of West Florida.

I have worked with health care providers for many years. Several of the medical doctors I worked with were gastroenterologist, and because of that, I have taken several classes in biology and physiology, concentrating on the gastrointestinal track. Being exposed to the many problems and diseases of the gastrointestinal track and dealing with my own personal medical problems, I have discovered Colon Hydrotherapy and the importance of internal cleansing.

When I moved to Tucson, Arizona, it was a great opportunity for me to study Colon Hydrotherapy and the many different aspects of holistic healing. I studied colon hydrotherapy and served an internship for a year at the Intestinal Health Institute in Tucson. Then I practiced Colon Hydrotherapy and incorporated it with Hypnotherapy for five more years.

I am certified at the Advanced and National levels with the International Association of Colon Therapist and the National Board of Colon Therapists.

I am very excited to begin working with Teresa Ducoffe at Atlanta Colonic & Massage, LLC.

Hope to see you soon!

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Sarah Shirley

When I was younger modern medicine was part of my everyday lifestyle. Between asthma and allergies every cold I caught evolved into a severe infection or asthma attack. All my visits to the doctor sent me straight to the pharmacy for steroids or antibiotics. When I was a teenager I had grown out of my asthma, but my allergies still caused severe infections. I was still constantly congested even in retrospect of what the doctors suggested. We exhausted several options including changing my diet, enrolling me in sports, and thoroughly cleaning the house. Nothing worked!

I became very distraught due to the fact that I was always being picked on because I was always carrying tissues and my blowing my nose throughout classes. I was so fed up by the time I reached college, I decided to do some research myself. Surely, one cannot have a constant sniffle with no logical reasons as to why. There had to be something I could do to get rid this annoyance in my life. I searched online first and found that honey actually eats up mucus, and if I ate organic honey my allergens would start to build up and relieve some of my symptoms. I also found out that chives are very helpful for allergies and bread (especially white) caused one’s body to create a lot of mucus. So, I woke up every morning to a spoonful of honey, sprinkled crushed chives on just about every meal, switched to wheat bread and drank water only. As I wove theses changes into my daily lifestyle, my passageways became clearer, and it occurred to me my doctor had never shared the positive effects that could emerge from diet change alone. From this point on I use homeopathic preventative care and only visit my doctor for routine checkups.

Education is probably the most important aspect of my life. One should never assume that they know everything about anything, always keep an open mind to new ideas (no matter how off the wall they may seem) and continue to learn throughout their days. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to become a school teacher. I was always bored in school and thought the teacher could do more to make learning fun. As I grew older I understood that the biggest impact would happen during the elementary years and immediately dove myself into Early Childhood Education. My excitement for this field of study makes others think I am a fanatic. I live and breathe education and I am constantly throwing around ideas about how to make uninteresting topics fun for children to learn. No child was left behind in my classroom because I stimulate their senses, tap into their creativity and open their minds to different ways of thinking. It is the most rewarding profession and my life’s dream. I am currently a preschool teacher at The Legacy Centre in Sandy Springs and I love it!

After college, my face started to break out, low and behold, I had adult acne. I tried so many natural cures, to no avail. I finally broke down and bought into several modern acne remedies, but most were too harsh for my sensitive skin. I needed to get to the root of my acne problem. From all the research I did everything pointed to colonics. I did not take my own advice and closed off to the idea. I continued to bare an acne ridden face.

The next turn in my life brought me from my small town to the big city. Atlanta was huge, but I met others who believed in alternative medicine. Most of them had tried colonics and once I heard the testimonials of real people, I wasn’t so closed off to the idea anymore, and I tried it myself. The results were spectacular! Not only did my face clear up after only two colonics, my whole body was affected! All I could think was, “Imagine how much regular colonics could positively impact one’s system.” The new people I had met opened up an opportunity to become a colon hydrotherapist myself, and I eagerly jumped for it. I am now educating others and helping them stay healthy all at the same time. Through continued education, I plan to I begin teaching others all the benefits of colon hydrotherapy, in a classroom setting. It’s funny where certain paths lead you and what happens when you take the road less traveled.

I’m healthy, happy and excited to share my knowledge and open others up to the age old remedy of colonics.

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