Colon Hydrotherapy also known as colonic Irrigation, High Colonic or Simple Colonic. It is the process of cleaning the colon by passing pure filtered water through it with the use of special equipment. It is a procedure that should only be undertaken by a qualified therapist. Origins: Cleansing of the colon with the use of hydrotherapy is not a new concept. Forms of a colonic irrigation have been used successfully for decades. Alternative practitioners advise that we probably should have one bowel movement for every meal you we eat. If not then we are not eliminating wastes completely, and if input exceeds output then we will surely suffer the consequences at some point. Normally, from observations in my clinic I note that several treatments may be required to achieve desired results regarding the elimination of impacted matter and the restoration of bowel regularity. Initially only gas and recent faecal matter may be expelled. Impacted faecal matter can cause an imbalance of the natural organisms that normally populate the bowel, causing what is known as dysbiosis. During colonic hydrotherapy, a small speculum is passed into the client’s bowel through the rectum, this is attached to a tube, which leads to the machine pumps temperature controlled filtered water into the colon at a controlled rate. The temperature of the water should ideally be kept at 37 degres. This process, although sometimes uncomfortable is not painful. It can trigger peristaltic action and the client will begin to expel the water along with faecal matter and gas down the waste tube, the waste tube is connected directly to the main drains, so it's just like flushing the toilet. During the process Colon Hydrotherapy and Gut Health may gently massage the abdomen to help dislodge impacted faecal matter. In addition to massage, sometimes organic herbs may be used (if booked) to loosen deposits and stimulate the bowel. This is the process that is slowly very gradually carried out. The process takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes and if the colon is not fully cleansed, further treatments will be advised. Further treatments are not compulsory though. Sanitisation is vital to this process. The tubes/pads/speculums are completely disposable and are never re-used. PPE is used by Colon Hydrotherapy and Gut Health. After the colonic: Since the colon has been cleared of solid matter, it may take one or two days before it fills up again & normal bowel movements are resumed. Some water is absorbed through the colon walls during a colonic, and you may notice an increased need to urinate for a few hours afterwards. This beneficial effect of flushing the kidneys may also be enhanced by drinking a few glasses of water with the juice of half a lemon added to each glass. A colonic can have a profound cleansing effect to the body and many people report feeling so good afterwards, that they want to double their jogging or workout time. Caution is advised here, for it can be overdone. Although light to moderate exercise is good if you are used to it, any strenuous activity should be avoided 24 hours after the treatment. If a condition, such as habitual constipation or irritable bowel has existed for a while, tiredness may be experienced for a couple of days after the colonic. A light diet of fruit, vegetables, salads and chicken or fish should be flowered for 2 to 3 days after, taking care to avoid anything that causes gas. Avoid drinks with gas, natural or added. Rich or heavy food, flour products, spices & alcohol should be omitted. It is helpful to take probiotics to maintain bacterial balance. Live yoghurt with acidophilus is also advised because it is an active cleanser that also adds forces to the colon. If you have any other questions please give me a call on 07703 645755 . Many thanks and I hope to see you again. Colon Hydro therapist, Colon Hydrotherapy and Gut Health, Meols, Wirral, UK. Please note: Colonic Hydrotherapy is not in anyway intended as a 'cure' or 'medical' treatment. It should not be seen as an alternative to seeing your GP if you have any health concerns, neither is it intended to infer or imply symptoms of IBS or other bowel conditions will be solved.