Find out how Colonic Hydrotherapy can help you to achieve more balance through your digestive health.

You can see diagrams and information on the colon and colonic irrigation on our more detailed page.

Yes it is. You’ll have a comprehensive consultation before your first session, to make sure colon hydrotherapy is right for you. Only a small amount of water enters the colon at any one time during treatment, and it’s introduced at a low gravitational pressure, lower than is normally generated during a bowel movement, so there is no risk of perforation. The environment in the colon after treatment is usually healthier than before, leading to a better balance. Colon hydrotherapy, unlike laxatives or enemas, is not habit forming and actually improves the tone of the colon.

No, it isn’t painful. Any discomfort during treatment is usually the result of resistance or tension and can be overcome by relaxation, helped by deep breathing. Sometimes during treatment the muscles of the colon will contract suddenly, expelling considerable amounts of waste. This may feel like cramping or gas, and may create a feeling of needing to empty the bowels. Such episodes, if they do occur, are brief and easily tolerated. All waste is expelled immediately through the tubing and into the waste system so there is never a delay or need to ‘hold yourself’.

Not at all. Your personal dignity will be completely maintained, with just you and the practitioner in the treatment room, which is quiet and secure. Each step will be fully explained to you throughout your visit and your emotions or any anxieties will be acknowledged and understood. You’ll get changed in private and will be covered by a towel during the treatment. Only the bottom half of your clothing need be removed.

This is a common concern. Many people fit a colonic into their working day and return to work straight afterwards. It’s unusual to experience urgency or the need to be near a toilet after a treatment. However, for peace of mind some people prefer to go home and rest. Most likely you’ll feel a lightness and enjoy a sense of wellbeing. Some people feel tired, but this shouldn’t be any more than the tiredness experienced after exercise as the body starts to detoxify itself. For some, the colonic therapy may trigger several subsequent bowel movements for the next few hours, but there won’t be any uncontrollable urgency or discomfort. It’s also possible that you may feel light headed but if so, this quickly passes.

Yes you can – on the day of treatment we suggest you have a light diet and plenty of water. A heavy meal is best avoided as your stomach may be massaged during the treatment and would be uncomfortable. We’ll advise you regarding aftercare at the time of treatment, including dietary advice.

You may find it takes a few treatments for your colon to start expelling waste. In cases where there are long standing concerns, such as constipation, it may take the body time to correct itself and adjust to new habits. Many people have a course of treatments while others just have just one. It’s up to you and your practitioner will offer advice based on the consultation and treatment outcome. Many clients choose, after initial treatment, to continue using colonic hydrotherapy a few times a year, in order to maintain a healthy digestive system.

Colonic Hydrotherapy is not in any way intended as a cure or medical treatment & not 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.

York Happy Gut Clinic services & products are not used to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease.

Certain conditions such as active infections, active inflammation (such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis), a painful fissure or painful haemorrhoids mean treatment cannot be comfortably carried out until they are healed or are in remission. Diseases such as:

• congestive heart disease,
• severe uncontrolled hypertension,
• severe anaemia,
• liver cirrhosis,
• kidney disease,
• severe haemorrhaging and colo-rectal carcinoma are also contra-indications for treatment.
• Some physical conditions such as severe abdominal or inguinal hernias make it an unsuitable treatment.
• Pregnancy is unsuitable for treatment.

We do have a medical contraindications waiver form to fill out, please read and learn more about it here.