Curious about colonic hydrotherapy?
There are a lot of questions that we receive regularly about this treatment – so we’ve compiled a handy guide below. Of course, if you have a question we’ve missed, don’t hesitate to reach out!
How will I feel after a colonic hydrotherapy treatment?
Many people leave the clinic feeling refreshed and energised, others feel the need to rest. Either way, we recommend that you spend the rest of your day away from strenuous exercise and activities. Listen to your body and you should find any unpleasant side effects to be short-lived.
What should I do to prepare for my treatment?
We suggest that you avoid foods that you know cause digestive symptoms in you for 1-2 days prior to treatment. Eat a light meal no later than 2 hours prior to your appointment, increase your water intake, and if you struggle with constipation, add bulking fibre such as soaked chia or flax seeds a few days before the appointment.
Does treatment wash away ‘good bacteria’? And why might you recommend a probiotic booster?
Trillions of bacteria live in your colon. Colonic hydrotherapy expels loose and transient bacteria, including less desirable putrefactive bacteria and parasites that may be causing your symptoms. After treatment, ‘good bacteria’ can repopulate and thrive – and you can help it along by adding the optional gut-boosting probiotic to your treatment. We deliver this straight into the large intestine, bypassing the lengthy digestive tract where numbers often dwindle, so that good bacteria can build and thrive.
Can I be on my period?
This depends on your comfort, but contrary to popular belief, it’s certainly not a contra-indication to treatment. If you suffer from heavy or painful periods, it is best to avoid your menstrual cycle. But colonics can be useful during this time, as they can help with cramps, and this is a time when the body is purging.
When will the colon be cleaned out?
The aim of colonic hydrotherapy is to restore bowel regularity, rather than to clean it out. Your practitioner is looking to help re-train or maintain good peristaltic action. Depending on their presenting symptoms, and the addition of small dietary or lifestyle changes, many people feel the benefits after 3-6 visits. Serious and long-lasting conditions (for example chronic constipation) may require treatment every 2-4 weeks until the bowel is more functional. After addressing your symptoms, good bowel function can be maintained with seasonal treatments.
How does the treatment work?
At Holistic Health, we use a closed gravity system. This gentle procedure involves slowly introducing filtered water into the bowel through a small tube, and then allowing the water, along with any loose debris, to exit through a larger tube. A closed system means that there is no odour or direct contact with waste. Unlike an open system where you are left to self-administer the treatment, you will be supported and well taken care of by the practitioner.
Will it hurt?
The treatment shouldn’t be painful – but the experience may at times feel unusual or like having diarrhea. You may experience transient cramping or nausea, this often passes as your body releases gas and waste. This release is encouraged with gentle fills of water, relaxation, and abdominal massage. Most first-time clients leave saying that the experience was more comfortable than they anticipated.
Are there any additions that my colonic hydrotherapist will recommend?
In the session, we may use herbs or a probiotic booster/implant. Specially formulated herbal infusions can help to ease cramps, address imbalances, and decrease gas. A probiotic booster can be delivered directly into the colon at the end of your session – this is an ideal way to repopulate the gut microbiome with good bacteria.
Beyond the session, your practitioner may recommend taking specific supplements or strains of bacteria to ease your symptoms. They may recommend lab testing such as food intolerances or gut microbiome panels. In some situations, they may refer you to your GP for symptoms that require medical investigation.
What is the difference between an enema and colonic hydrotherapy?
Typically an enema is self-administered at home, whereas colonic hydrotherapy happens in a clinically sterile environment by a well-trained practitioner. An enema typically doesn’t reach as far into the colon, or have the same training effect on the bowel.
Why should I choose your practitioners?
For a treatment like this, it is important to choose a qualified practitioner. At Holistic Health our Colonic Hydrotherapy practitioners are registered with the Association of Registered Colonic Hydrotherapists (ARCH). As a professional body, ARCH has been setting standards in the practice and the training of Colon Hydrotherapy for over 35 years. Members go through rigorous checks including DBS before they are added to the register. They must demonstrate suitable and recognised training and have extensive experience in a clinical setting from a medical or complementary practice. Furthermore, ARCH is the only Colonic Association recognised and regulated by the independent Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), the only government-backed regulator in the industry, which means they are held to a high standard of practice and professional ethics.
Who can’t have this treatment?
There are some instances in which treatment is not recommended, these are known as contra-indications. We keep a full and up-to-date list of current contra-indications here – however if you have any questions about your circumstances, please contact us before booking: