A colonic is known by a variety of names such as colonic hydrotherapy and colonic irrigation. It is better described as an alternative medicine practice. In this therapy, a gentle stream of warm water or other liquids is infused into the rectum in order to get rid of the impurities in the colon.
It is important to mention here that a colonic is not an enema. Another important thing you need to know is that there is no hard evidence to back up the potential health benefits a colonics treatment. However, there are a lot of people who get this hydrotherapy for various reasons including preventing constipation, improving overall health, and removing all the accumulated waste from the colon.
It is believed by regular practitioners that this treatment not only helps them keep their well-being but also makes them less susceptible to digestive issues. Healthcare professionals do not recommend this therapy for individuals suffering from a medical condition.
However, there is no evidence to suggest that this treatment is particularly harmful when administered by a trained professional and in clean conditions. The proponents of colonic hydrotherapy are of the opinion that the body keeps building up fecal matter in the colon. This buildup of fecal matter diminishes the ability of the human body to absorb nutrients which affects the overall health and well-being of the individual.
Due to the body’s inability to absorb the nutrients available from food, the digestive system becomes inefficient which leads to a whole range of health issues. On the other hand, practitioners of conventional medicine believe that the liver and kidney are adequate to get rid of all the toxins in the body.
One of the most well-known proponents of colonic hydrotherapy was John Harvey Kellogg. He was the founder of Kellogg cereal company. He proposed colonics for treatment of a variety of conditions including arthritis and depression but that was in the early part of the 20th century.
How It Works
If you are planning to get a colonic, here is what you need to know about about the process. Before the procedure, you will consult with an expert in colonic hydrotherapy. You might also be asked to fill up a brief form. The therapist will explain the procedure and answer any queries you might have. Once the whole process has been explained to you, you’ll be asked to change in to a gown.
This procedure usually takes place on a padded table. You will be asked to lie down on this table with face down. The therapist will prepare a single use speculum and insert it into the anus. This speculum is attached to a tube. Once the speculum is inside the anus, warm water is sent through the tube inside the colon in order to flush out the waste inside the colon.
It is a closed loop system which means all the waste is filtered out. The whole process does not take long and once it is over, you will be asked to use the toilet and get dressed.
Who Should Avoid It
This therapy is not right for people suffering from certain medical conditions such as blood vessel disease, Crohn’s disease, diverticular disease, abdominal hernia, heart disease, or someone who has recently undergone colon surgery. In short, if you have any doubts about this hydrotherapy, you should first discuss it with your healthcare provider to make sure that it is not going to worsen your condition.
It also has certain side effects. Many people experience nausea and fatigue for several hours after the session.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of individuals who swear by the benefits of colonics but there are also those who advise people to stay away from this practice. Since it is an alternative medicine practice, you need to ensure taking the help of a reputable practitioner with many years of experience in the field and proper training when taking this therapy.
Colonics can also be administered by trained doctors and nurses as well as professionals who have acquired the training through alternative medicine schools. In any case, you need to make sure that a proper sterile environment is maintained at the place where this therapy is being administered. If this therapy is not given by a trained professional, it might lead to a serious infection or bowel perforation and other such health issues.
