Colonics provide an opportunity for toxins to be flushed out of your system. Although it can be performed with medication, fasting, or supplements, a popular method being used is colonic hydrotherapy.
This process involves a tube being inserted into the rectum of the patient. Water is then flushed into the colon, then drained out to remove the excess waste. The goal is to remove stool debris, which is intended to improve overall health.
As part of the best practice of using colonics, changes in diet should occur. Regular exercise is also recommended.
Here are some of the pros and cons of colonic hydrotherapy to consider if you’re thinking about using this procedure.
List of the Pros of Colonic Hydrotherapy
1. Providers use a disposable speculum.
To flush out the colon with fresh water, a speculum must be inserted to ensure the water goes where it should. This product is disposable, which means you don’t need to worry about where it might have been before being used for your needs. The waste and water hose is then connected to this device, allowing a small amount of water to be used to flush out your colon.
2. There is little odor associated with the procedure.
Although colonic hydrotherapy deals with the removal of human waste, there is rarely an odor associated with the procedure. You’re asked to lie down on a table on your left side, which is when the disposable speculum is inserted. Once the water begins to flush through the colon, it will then be pulled out with a waste tube which goes directly to the local sewer. The pressure in your colon is monitored at all times.
3. All of the equipment used in the U.S. is FDA-approved.
Some people become worried after their colonic hydrotherapy session because they feel sicker afterward. Every piece of equipment used, however, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Feelings of discomfort, or even symptoms that are similar to that of a cold or the flu, are usually due to issues with toxins that had built up in the colon before they were flushed away.
4. It may improve regularity with your bowel movements.
When colonics are scheduled on a regular basis, it can improve how well you’re going to the bathroom. The average person should be having a bowel movement between 1 to 3 times per day. Some people may have more if they’ve been diagnosed with a colon condition, such as IBS. For the people who visit a colonic hydrotherapy facility for the first time, it may have been 7-14 days since their last bowel movement. The process will free up constipation, encourage regularity, and reportedly improve the overall function of the colon over time.
5. Processed foods can be removed from the colon.
Over the past century, how human populations approach food has changed dramatically. The world has shifted from prepared foods at home from scratch to pre-packaged, heavily processed foods that are treated as a ready-to-eat option. Processed foods stick to the colon with greater regularity than non-processed food. This procedure helps to free the stuck-on waste that could be preventing full functionality
6. It may help you with your weight loss goals.
People who receive a colonic hydrotherapy session often report that they no longer experience food cravings like they did in the past. When there is more room for the healthy bacteria in the colon to work, then more nutrients can be absorbed by the body from the foods that are eaten. It’s like pulling weeds in a garden. Your vegetables can still grow despite the weeds, but if you clear then out, the plants, and your harvest, will be stronger and better respectively.
7. Clinical research has begun for colonic hydrotherapy.
Although there are no major clinical research studies available for this procedure, there are some limited pilot studies which have been completed. One such example was published in 2016, where people with irritable bowel syndrome were evaluated after receiving colonic hydrotherapy. The study showed that there was a generalized improvement in symptoms after the irrigation.
8. Providers wear protective gear to maintain a sanitary environment.
Your hygienist or hydrotherapy provider should follow a proper disinfecting routine for all equipment. They should be wearing personal protective equipment when providing a treatment to you as well. That equipment should change for each patient. That protects you and them. If not properly sterilized, bacteria can be transmitted, so make sure that only new, disposable equipment is used for your treatment session.
List of the Cons of Colonic Hydrotherapy
1. It can be an uncomfortable procedure the first time it is performed.
People who receive colonic hydrotherapy on a regular basis often find the process to be comfortable. When you’re having it performed for the first time, however, there can be moments of discomfort. Some people will experience bloating or gas when the water flushes through the colon. When the environment is particularly toxic, some people may experience flu-like symptoms for a few days after their procedure as well.
2. Colonics are a short-term fix for a long-term problem.
You must make diet and exercise changes to fully benefit from colonic hydrotherapy. If you continue on with the same lifestyle choices, then you will return to your previous state in 6 months or less. Even when you do make the recommended changes to your eating and movement habits, the recommendation is that you should schedule a colonic at least once per quarter, or four times per year.
3. The actual benefits of colonic hydrotherapy are not proven.
Although there are many reviews from patients who suggest that colonics are an effective way to feel better, there is no clinical proof to support the procedure. In the minds of some, there should be a proven potential benefit if something is going to take up your time and cost money. Cost is based on where you live, but in the United States, the average price for a procedure is $80 to $100 for each session.
4. There is a chance that an infection may occur.
If the clinic or office performing colonic hydrotherapy does not properly sterilize the equipment being used, then there is a chance that an infection may develop after it is performed. Although it is highly uncommon for it to happen, there is also the possibility that a colon perforation might occur. Before agreeing to the procedure, you should ask the provider what their polices are if an emergency situation develops during the scheduled session.
5. It will flush the healthy bacteria out of your colon.
When you experience colonic hydrotherapy, you are flushing everything out of your colon. That includes the healthy bacteria which help you to digest food and absorb nutrients. Removing that bacteria is central to your overall good health because they are responsible for keeping that region of your body happy. When these bacteria function properly, your metabolism stays consistent. Most providers recommend probiotics after receiving a hydrotherapy session.
6. It may encourage an electrolyte imbalance.
For older patients considering the pros and cons of colonic hydrotherapy, there is another concern to evaluate. When the colon is flushed, there is the potential that needed electrolytes are flushed away too. That may create added stress on the kidneys and heart, which would be problematic if the individual was struggling with organ-related diseases or other health issues.
7. There may not be any oversight of the procedure.
Practitioners of colonic hydrotherapy should be familiar with the procedure. They should be certified through the International Association of Colon Hydrotherapy, or a similar organization, as a way to verify their skills. In most states (and most countries), however, the requirements for providers are not regulated. As long as a business license is held, and a health inspection is completed, that is enough for providers to perform this procedure. For best results, you should always schedule an appointment with someone who is licensed by an organization which is scientifically supported.
8. A risk of dehydration is also present.
With regards to weight loss and colonic hydrotherapy, a removal of internal fluids is responsible for a portion of what occurs. If those fluids are not replaced, then dehydration may develop quickly. Should this issue not be corrected, in severe cases, it may lead to kidney damage or failure. Always drink lots of water before and after your procedure to counter the potential effects that colonics may provide.
The pros and cons of colonic hydrotherapy come down to a personal choice. If you feel like it might be beneficial for you, and you don’t mind the risks or the cost, then it is a procedure worth pursuing. Should you feel like the risks don’t outweigh the rewards, then an alternative colon cleansing product may be the better option.