What to Expect from Colonic Hydrotherapy

If you have never had colonic hydrotherapy before, it is completely natural to have questions about what happens during an appointment.

At Parkland Natural Health, we aim to make every stage of the treatment clear before we begin. Your therapist will explain the procedure, answer your questions and check how you are feeling throughout the session.

We use a closed-system, gravity-fed colon hydrotherapy system, with filtered water warmed to approximately body temperature. Privacy, hygiene and communication with the client are central to the way we work.

When you arrive

When you arrive at the clinic, your therapist will welcome you and ask you to complete a consent form and health-screening questionnaire.

The questionnaire helps us identify any health conditions, previous medical problems or other circumstances that may make colonic hydrotherapy unsuitable.

Your therapist will then go through the information with you during a short consultation and may ask additional questions where clarification is needed.

We also encourage you to ask as many questions as you wish. We want you to understand what will happen during the treatment and to feel able to make an informed decision before proceeding.

What if colonic hydrotherapy is not suitable for me?

If your consultation identifies a contraindication that means we cannot safely proceed with the treatment, we will not perform the colonic and the appointment fee will be refunded in full.

Your wellbeing always takes priority over completing the procedure.

Preparing for the treatment

Before the treatment begins, you will be shown to our toilet and changing area.

We normally recommend using the toilet before your session, whether to empty your bladder, your bowel, or both. This can help reduce unnecessary discomfort during the treatment.

You will then undress from the waist down. You can keep your top and other upper-body clothing on.

Your privacy is maintained throughout the appointment.

Once you are ready, you will lie comfortably on the treatment couch and your therapist will prepare the equipment.

How Our Closed-System Colonic Hydrotherapy Equipment Works

Parkland Natural Health uses a closed-system, gravity-fed colonic hydrotherapy system.

The system is described as “closed” because the tubing connecting the client to the drainage system remains enclosed throughout the treatment. Water enters through one part of the system while waste water and bowel contents leave through a separate enclosed tube.

Because the waste remains contained within the tubing and drainage system, the closed system is designed to minimise both odours and the possibility of leakage.

Our colon hydrotherapy equipment and accessories are sourced through suppliers associated with RICTAT, the UK professional association with which we are affiliated.

We use disposable treatment accessories wherever appropriate, including:

• the speculum;
• treatment tubing;
• wipes and other disposable hygiene materials;
• absorbent protective coverings.

Disposable items are used for one client only and are discarded following treatment.

Inserting the speculum

A small, specially designed disposable tube called a speculum is gently inserted into the rectum.

Before insertion, the therapist applies a generous amount of suitable lubricant to the speculum. This is intended to reduce friction, minimise discomfort and make insertion as gentle as possible.

Only a short section of the speculum enters the body — approximately two inches — and the design incorporates a stop that limits further insertion.

Your therapist will explain what they are doing before proceeding and will guide you through this stage of the treatment. If you experience discomfort, you should tell the therapist immediately so that the procedure can be adjusted or stopped if necessary.

Once the speculum and tubing are correctly positioned, they are connected to the closed drainage system and water supply.

The water used during your colonic

The water used for colon hydrotherapy at Parkland Natural Health passes through two stages of filtration before reaching the treatment system.

It is then warmed to approximately body temperature.

The water enters the bowel gradually using our gravity-fed system rather than being forced into the bowel at high pressure.

During treatment, the therapist can carefully adjust the water flow and pressure within the operating range of the system. We work within a low-pressure range of approximately 0–50 millibars.

These controlled changes in filling and emptying are used to encourage the bowel’s natural muscular activity and assist evacuation.

How long does colonic hydrotherapy take?

A standard colonic hydrotherapy treatment usually lasts around 30 minutes. Your complete appointment is longer because it also includes health screening, consultation, preparation and aftercare. Treatments involving certain additional options may take approximately 45 minutes.

What does a colonic feel like?

A standard treatment usually lasts around 30 minutes, although a session involving certain additional treatment options may take up to approximately 45 minutes.

During the procedure you are likely to be aware of activity inside the abdomen.

Common sensations can include:

• a feeling of fullness;
• an urge to open your bowels;
• movement or “gurgling” in the abdomen;
• temporary cramping or pressure;
• repeated sensations of filling and releasing.

These sensations are normally temporary and manageable.

However, everybody responds differently.

If at any point you find a sensation too uncomfortable, tell your therapist immediately. We can reduce the water flow, pause the procedure or stop the treatment altogether.

You remain in control throughout your appointment.

Abdominal massage during the treatment

Your therapist may use gentle abdominal massage and reflexology-style techniques during the session.

These manipulations are intended to encourage natural bowel movement and assist the progression of bowel contents through the colon.

The therapist may work over different areas of the abdomen while observing your response and adjusting the treatment accordingly.

Combined with controlled variations in water flow and pressure, abdominal massage can help encourage peristalsis — the natural muscular contractions of the bowel.

The objective is not to force the bowel to empty, but to encourage it to respond naturally.

Communication throughout your treatment

Communication is an important part of colon hydrotherapy at Parkland Natural Health.

Your therapist will regularly ask how you are feeling and what sensations you are experiencing.

We encourage you to tell us about:

• pressure;
• cramping;
• an urge to use the toilet;
• discomfort;
• changes in sensation;
• anything else you notice during the procedure.

This feedback allows the therapist to adapt the treatment to your response.

You are also welcome to ask questions throughout the session. There is no expectation that you should simply tolerate something that feels uncomfortable without telling us.

What happens during emptying?

During the treatment, periods of gentle water introduction alternate with periods in which water and bowel contents leave through the closed drainage tubing.

This process is repeated throughout the session according to how your bowel responds.

The therapist may adjust the water flow, pause filling, use abdominal massage or allow additional time for evacuation.

Every treatment is therefore somewhat different.

Some clients evacuate more readily than others, particularly during their first appointment.

What Happens After Colonic Hydrotherapy?

Once the treatment is complete, the water flow is stopped and the treatment tubing and speculum are removed.

You will then be given privacy and asked to use the toilet.

It is normal to pass some remaining water and bowel contents at this stage.

You can then get dressed and return to the treatment room for a short aftercare discussion with your therapist.

Aftercare advice

Before you leave, your therapist will discuss what you may experience following your treatment and give you appropriate aftercare advice.

This may include guidance concerning:

• eating and drinking after your appointment;
• hydration;
• how your bowel may behave during the following hours;
• dietary habits;
• digestive health;
• lifestyle measures that may support regular bowel function.

Many people simply return to their normal activities after their appointment.

Responses can nevertheless vary, particularly following a first treatment, so we encourage you to pay attention to how you feel.

What if I have questions afterwards?

Our care does not end when you leave the treatment room.

If you have questions or are uncertain about something you experience during the next few days, you are welcome to contact Parkland Natural Health for advice.

We would much rather you ask us a question than remain concerned about something that may be perfectly normal following the treatment.

Your comfort and consent come first

Colon hydrotherapy is an interactive treatment.

We therefore rely on communication between you and your therapist throughout the appointment.

Your therapist will explain what is happening, listen to your feedback and adjust the treatment according to your comfort.

You can ask us to:

slow down, pause or stop the treatment at any time.

Our aim is to provide colonic hydrotherapy in a professional environment with particular attention to privacy, hygiene, dignity and informed consent.

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