The therapist will then let you know when he or she is going to begin the flow of water. You will be advised to let the therapist know when you feel "full" so that she can then reverse the flow and allow your bowels to drain. There is usually a clear screen that allows you to see the waste and water that are drained from your system. The therapist may describe what she sees and what it means in terms of your digestive and elimination function. This process is repeated several times and can take from 30 minutes to more than an hour. The therapist may also massage your abdomen while the water is in your system to help break up compacted fecal matter on the intestine walls.

Once the last flush and drain cycle is performed, the therapist will leave while you dress. You will then go to the bathroom and allow any water or waste that is left in your system to drain. Sometimes more matter will pass simply because of the change in your body position and from the act of contracting the colon as you bear down. After the Treatment •When you first begin colon hydrotherapy, it will be recommended that you do a series of treatments within a certain amount of time -- generally four to six treatments, each about a week apart. After that you will only need to have a treatment every four to six months to keep long term buildup off of the intestine walls.

Immediately after the first treatment most people feel lighter and emptier in the abdominal area. This feeling generally lasts a couple of days

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Alternate Names: colonic hydrotherapy, colonic irrigation, colon irrigation

A colonic is the infusion of water into the rectum by a colon therapist to cleanse and flush out the colon.

What is a Typical Colonic Like?

After completing a health history form and consulting with the colon hydrotherapist, the client is asked to change into a gown and lie face up on a treatment table.

The colon therapist inserts a disposable speculum into the anus. The speculum is connected to a long disposable plastic hose connected to the colon hydrotherapy unit.

Warm, filtered water is slowly released into the colon. The water causes the muscles of the colon to contract, called peristalsis. Peristalsis "pushes" feces out through the hose to be disposed in a closed waste system.

The client and the colon therapist do not smell the feces. The therapist usually looks at the feces through the clear hose, and may comment on the color.

The client typically feels some discomfort in the abdomen during the therapy.

The colon therapist may apply light massage to the client's abdominal area to facilitate the process.

After the session, the therapist leaves the room, and the client may sit on a toilet to pass any residual water and stools.

A typical session lasts 45 minutes to one hour.

Why Do People Get Colonics?

People get colonics for the following reasons:

1.To remove accumulated waste from the colon 2.To help prevent constipation 3.To improve overall health

Health professionals are divided over the use of colonics. The majority of conventional health practitioners do not feel colonics can improve overall health. They believe colonics should only be used before certain medical procedures, such as a colonoscopy, or occasionally for constipation.

Proponents of colon hydrotherapy believe that fecal matter can accumulate and harden in the colon. They believe this buildup of fecal matter may:

1.Prevent the absorption of water and nutrients 2.Lead to constipation 3.Allow harmful colon bacteria and yeast to grow 4.Cause stagnant toxins to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the colon wall (called autointoxication) 5.Lack of fiber, excess sugar, and a diet high in red meat are believed to contribute to the problem.

Side Effects and Safety of Colonics

Consult your primary care provider before having a colonic. People with certain conditions, such as diverticular disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, severe hemorrhoids, blood vessel disease, congestive heart failure, heart disease, severe anemia, abdominal hernia, gastrointestinal cancer, recent colon surgery, and intestinal tumors should not have a colonic.

Pregnant women should not have a colonic as it may stimulate uterine contractions.

Side effects of colonics may include nausea and fatigue after the session, which can last for several hours.

Although infrequent, complications may include perforation of the abdominal wall, electrolyte imbalance, and heart failure caused by excessive absorption of water.

Additional Tips

After a colonic, the client is usually encouraged to take supplements containing friendly colon bacteria, called probiotics.

Refrain from eating prior to a session.

If you choose to do colon cleansing, be sure to take these simple precautions:

Check with your conventional medical providers first, especially if you take any medications or have any health problems. Make sure your colon-cleansing practitioner uses disposable equipment that hasn't been previously used. Get a list of specific herbal ingredients and amounts in any colon-cleansing products you use — some herbal supplements can cause health problems. Beware of broad or inflated claims that colon cleansing will cure an illness or improve your health. Stay well hydrated by drinking lots of fluids while undergoing colon cleansing to prevent dehydration. If you are considering colon cleansing because of constipation, consider trying these steps first to relieve constipation:

Drink plenty of fluids, including water Eat a diet rich in fiber Get regular exercise

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