A colonic or colon cleanse (also known as colon hydrotherapy) is one of many treatments I’m doing regularly to get well. Colonics are a more holistic approach to aiding and relieving digestive issues, constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (“IBS”), and many other conditions. Colonics also support general detoxification for the body.
Colonics aren’t the most glamorous of detoxification procedures; you are definitely not at a spa with cucumbers over your eyes while doing this. It involves cleaning out your colon. So, it isn’t the easiest of topics for me to even write about. However, my goal is to be transparent in sharing my wellness journey. Colonics are part of it.
I went to traditional doctors including a stomach specialist or Gastroenterologist starting at the age of 12. I followed their advice (for the most part) exclusively, and I took the medication route for years. I didn’t get better. I was given a lot of prescription drugs that did not heal me. They actually made me worse, and some I believe caused long term damage.
With all that being said, I began being much more open to alternative medicine and treatments. I’ve read many articles on potential risks associated with colonics, so you may find them online too. There are risks with any medical treatment. Many doctors may not recommend it or think it is necessary. Have you read the warning labels on prescription medicines lately? How scary are some of those and they are considered safe? For me, I’m choose colonics over prescription medicines for my stomach and digestive conditions.
Colonics can be contraindicated for some people with certain health or stomach conditions. It is not recommended during pregnancy past three months. As always, I suggest asking your doctor if it is okay for you to try it. Be prepared for your doctor to say they don’t recommend it. Remember it is your body and your decision.
If you are brave enough and you want to learn more, continue reading.
Why did I start doing colonics?
Colonics are an alternative to laxatives and enemas that really cleanse your body and actually may help restore better function of your colon. They can be incredibly detoxifying for your body as well. One of my functional medicine doctors recommended I start doing these to help with a variety of my issues, and I’m glad I did.
I’ve had Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation (“IBS-C”) since I was about 12 years old. IBS-C includes belly pain, infrequent or incomplete bowel movements, constipation and many more uncomfortable symptoms. I had a group (not one) of stomach ulcers at age 12. As I got older my stomach began to swell a lot after eating. When I say swell, I mean I literally looked 4 to 6 months pregnant a lot! That is no exaggeration. Years ago, I’d often go days without going to the bathroom. That’s bad news. For detox purposes you need to go at least once a day, if not more. A lot of my issues were made so much worse by the medications I was taking. In particular narcotics for pain management really slow down your system. Swelling aside I just felt terrible having a system not work regularly.
So, what is a colonic or colon hydrotherapy?
A colonic involves placing a tube in the rectum that will involve gentle water flow going into your colon to flush out accumulated waste and possibly other toxins. They will fill your colon several times then release the water. The water will clean out your colon.
Who can benefit from it?
My opinion is everyone. So many toxins in our everyday lives dump into our colons, and they aren’t all removed through normal elimination. Most people don’t eat a clean, healthy diet, and your digestive system suffers from that along with your colon. Years of alcohol, sugar, antibiotics, environmental toxins, processed foods, pesticides, and more all contribute to bad bacteria growth too. Many people have this issue and don’t feel well overall, but they are unaware of why. Waste can accumulate and actually stick to your colon walls sometimes. It slows down your entire elimination system. Many people lose weight just by doing a few colonics by removing old waste. Some people have lost 5 to 10 lbs after doing 2 to 3 colonics.
Is it uncomfortable?
Yes, it can be just because the procedure is new and different. However, you’ll get more comfortable even by your second visit. You could have some gas pains or some nausea during the procedure, but usually it is mild and passes quickly.
Note: I strongly recommend going to a clinic with a closed system. I don’t recommend an open system where a therapist isn’t in the room with you. The closed system is much more gentle, and you have someone with you the entire time.
Tell me more about the procedure.
The procedure typically lasts approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. You are in a gown lying flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the table. The therapist will massage your belly on and off during the procedure just to move the water around. Your colon will be filled with water several times and then released. You will probably see what is coming out through a tube and clear system on the wall. It is cool and a little weird to see, but you are detoxing.
Why should you try this?
It is estimated that nearly 20% of people in the U.S. may suffer from constipation. Here are potential benefits of the procedure and my advice.
Personal benefits I’ve seen:
- improved digestion,
- improved (not gone) constipation
- less swelling in my tummy (many times a flat stomach when I leave!)
- feeling much lighter and “clean”
- removal of parasites*
- stronger immune system
- more energy
- improvements in overall health
*It is estimated that 33% or more people in the U.S. unknowingly have parasites contributing to health issues. Contrary to popular belief, parasites aren’t just from drinking contaminated water or food in a foreign country. Many people have them and get them from a variety of sources. As you can imagine, they interfere tremendously with healing. When your immune system is weak, it has trouble fighting them off.
Potential benefits:
- Reduce or remove bad bacteria, candida, parasites, mucous
- Improve digestion
- Strengthen immune system
- Improve constipation, stomach bloating and swelling, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Restore more normal bowel movements
- Detoxify the body from years of accumulated waste and other toxins
- Promote weight loss (some people may lose up to 5-10 lbs from just a few sessions)
- Improve overall health
- Increase energy
- Feeling lighter, clean, less full
Advice for the procedure
- Eat lightly the day before (avoid meat if possible); some people juice the entire day before to have a better colonic. The center where I go recommends no meat, bread or dairy for three days prior (if possible).
- The day of the procedure don’t eat anything before. You may have fresh pressed juice or water, but that’s it. Don’t drink liquids about two hours before the procedure.
- After the colonic, don’t eat gassy foods, fatty foods, or meat. If you do you may cause significant gas in your stomach and you’ll feel worse. So, eat boiled or steamed veggies that day. Avoid eating heavy meals. You may resume your normal diet the day after.
- I usually let my body have a few hours after the procedure to rest. I may do some organic herbal tea when I get home. Then, I eat a small amount of steamed or boiled foods a few hours later.
Other Notes:
- Take high dose probiotics daily after colonics for at least several days. I take daily probiotics.
- You may not have a bowel movement for a few days after. It depends on your body.
- You may feel tired or sometimes worse after it. The colonics can stir up toxins. You may want to rest or nap after the colonic.
- You should feel less bloated, lighter, and more energetic. Sometimes I see those benefits more the next day than I do the same day. Some people feel better as soon as they are done.
Where do I go for my colonics?
I got to Koyfman Whole Body Cleansing. They are located in Norcross, GA. They offer many cleansing procedures in addition to colonics. I’ve done a three month long cleansing package with them that included whole digestive cleanses, liver cleanses, small intestine cleanses, a juice fast, and more. It was hard, but it was worth it. I can’t speak for all clinics that offer colonics, but I can speak for this one. I trust them. It’s clean, and I’ve been going for years with no adverse effects thus far.
Check out their site here if you are interested. People actually travel from all over the U.S. to come here for the extensive cleansing that they offer. They see cancer patients, chronic illness patients, weight loss patients, and more.
How many should I do?
My recommendation is to start with at least two or three spread over about a 2 week period and see how you do. Every person is different, so this will be an individual decision depending on your own body. Also, Koyfman can advise you.
If you think this sounds like something that could help you, give it a try.