What is colon hydrotherapy?
Colon hydrotherapy or a colonic is a very simple, safe, comfortable, and hygienic way to irrigate the colon for endoscopic, radiological, or other medical purposes.
What does it entail?
The procedure introduces warm water, by way of the rectum, into the colon (large intestine). This washes the colon, resulting in the evacuation of its contents.
Colon hydrotherapy supports peristalsis (the contraction of the muscles in the digestive tract). Good health truly begins in the colon.
We use the Angel of Water, which is an open system. See how the Angel of Water works.
Colon
Hydrotherapy
What should I do?
Drink lots of water at least 24 hours prior to your session. Aim for at least 3 liters (102 ounces). Don’t gulp the water; instead, drink slowly throughout the day, so that your body can absorb some water and put it to use. You may also urinate less, if you drink slowly.
We recommend that you eat lightly on your appointment day. Do stop eating two hours prior to your appointment. This will enable the majority of your earlier food to travel from your stomach to your small intestines. This lessens the pressure on your abdomen and decreases chances of discomfort.
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Drink plenty of water (one gallon, during the 24 hours prior to your session is recommended).
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Avoid soda, coffee, alcohol for 24 hours prior to your session.
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Eat a light breakfast and lunch, depending upon your appointment time. Avoid processed foods.
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IMPORTANT: Do not eat 2 hours prior to you colon hydrotherapy.
Before Your
Session
How long will it take?
Your first visit is always longer (1 hour) because it includes a review of your forms. We will also verify that you have no contraindications. For secondary visits, colon hydrotherapy sessions generally take 40 minutes.
What should I wear?
Your colon hydrotherapy is performed with dignity. You are covered at all times.
Women: A "two-piece" is more easy than a dress, as you will need to remove everything below the waist.
Bring a pair of socks (optional). A thick cover cloth is provided so that clients always maintain modesty.
What happens during the procedure?
After the client has comfortably positioned him/herself on the basin (with the cushioned backrest in place) and inserted the nozzle into the rectum, the therapist returns to the room and activates water flow. The tank line to the basin nipple has a backflow prevention valve as a permanent plumbing safety feature. This prevents water from flowing back into the line once it has passed through the basin nipple into the nozzle and into the client’s rectum. The colon hydrotherapist is with the client during the session.
A typical colon irrigation session lasts approximately 30-40 minutes and uses approximately 8 gallons of water, which is the total volume capacity of the main tank. At the end of the session, the client slides back off the nozzle and can now drain comfortably on the ergonomic basin, sitting up erect or leaning back to fully drain the colon. After this is done, the client can rinse off using the basin sprayer and its control valve located on the basin left topside. The client can then towel dry before dressing and leaving the privacy of the colon irrigation room.
Your First Visit
Are there conditions that prevents you from having colon hydrotherapy? YES.
A contraindication is an indication or symptom that forbids the method of treatment that is usual in such cases.
If any of the following contraindications applies to you, we will not be able to provide colon hydrotherapy, unless you obtain a written prescription from a supervising MD or ND for the contraindication. For some conditions, we will not be able to administer, at all.
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Abdominal Hernia– diagnosed with or has had surgery.
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Abdominal Surgery– A minimum of 12 weeks should pass after surgery.
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Abnormal Distension/Masses– diagnosed with an abnormal colon.
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Acute Abdominal Pain
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Acute Crohn’s Disease- a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, and can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.
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Acute Liver Failure– the liver suddenly begins to lose its ability to function. This often happens right after an overdose of medicine or poisoning.
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Anemia– diagnosed with severe anemia (blood is low in red cells).
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Carcinoma of the Colon (cancer), GI (gastrointestinal) tract or rectum
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Cardiac Condition– a heart condition such as uncontrolled hypertension or congestive heart failure.
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Cirrhosis of the Liver– a late-stage liver disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue and the liver is permanently damaged.
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Congestive Heart Failure- occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Blood often backs up and fluid can build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath
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Crohn’s Disease– patches of inflammation in the intestines which can later cause narrowing of the intestinal tract.
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Dialysis– used to purify the blood for patients with kidney failure.
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Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis– pouches (diverticula) in the intestinal wall. When the pouches become inflamed (diverticulitis), they cause pain and sometimes, rectal bleeding.
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Epilepsy or Psychoses- a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.
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Fissures– minor lacerations in the rectal lining.
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Fistulas– a passageway that develops between the rectal wall and the skin surrounding the anus.
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General Debilitation
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Hemorrhaging– flow of bright red blood discharge.
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Hemorrhoidectomy– removal of hemorrhoids–a doctor’s release should be obtained.
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History of Seizures (see Epilepsy)
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Intestinal Perforation– tears in the intestinal wall.
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Lupus– chronic inflammatory, autoimmune disease that usually affects the kidneys.
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Pregnancy (in first and last trimesters)
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Recent Colon or Rectal Surgery– should wait a minimum of 12 weeks.
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Recent history of GI or Rectal Bleeding
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Recent Heart Attack
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Rectal or Abdominal Tumors
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Renal Insufficiency– any deterioration of the kidneys. ***
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Severe Hemorrhoids
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Ulcerative Colitis– inflammation of the colon (usually starts at the rectum).
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Vascular Aneurism– a sac formed by an enlargement in a weakened wall of an artery, vein or the heart.
IF YOU ARE RECEIVING TREATMENT FOR YOUR KIDNEYS (DIALYSIS) OR YOU HAVE ONLY ONE FUNCTIONING KIDNEY, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ADMINISTER COLON HYDROTHERAPY TO YOU.
If you do not have any of the listed contraindications and would like to make an appointment, please click the link to complete the Colon Hydrotherapy Questionnaire.
Contraindications
We recommend that you:
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Be gentle with yourself for the remainder of the day. Limit strenuous activity and rest, if possible. A mild walk is fine.
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Drink plenty of liquids – pure water, fresh vegetable or fruit juices, herbal teas, coconut water or coconut water kefir.
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Fortify with probiotics (intestinal flora), such as kombucha, kefir, cultured vegetables like sauerkraut or kimchi, or a probiotic supplement.
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Avoid eating raw vegetables for 2 days; steam them, lightly. Raw fruit (a small amount) is fine.
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Eat light meals and soft food such as pureed soups immediately following the colonic session and for the first 24 hours after your session.
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Lighter meals include steamed vegetables, soups, broths, berries, smoothies and fresh fruit or vegetable juices. If desired, you may re-introduce fish, chicken and eggs into your diet on day 2. Small servings of raw vegetables may also be re-introduced, then, gradually working your way back to the amounts that you generally consume. If you do not eat raw vegetables, consider including some in your diet. Mix with lightly-steamed vegetables. Chew food thoroughly to aid digestion.
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Wild-caught, fresh fish is the preferred animal protein after the first 24 hours.
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Avoid alcoholic beverages for at least 48 hours after your session.
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Add a Health step to your bathroom. The proper squatting position during eliminations will reduce stress and straining, and help with complete eliminations.
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If you can, take an Epsom salt or baking soda bath the evening after your colonic. You’ll feel great and the bath will aid your sleep. Do not soak for longer than 20 minutes.
After Your Session
Will one colon hydrotherapy session "clean me out"?
Everyone is different. Your colon hydrotherapist can make recommendations regarding sessions.
We begin with 3-5 sessions. Some persons may need more sessions to evacuate the colon than others, depending upon dietary habits and hydration levels. Take the time to learn about yourself and your body through this process.
