Colonic Irrigation Contraindications: When Treatment May Not Be Suitable

An abdominal hernia occurs when tissue or part of an organ pushes through a weak area of the abdominal wall. Please tell us about any abdominal hernia before treatment. A hernia may make treatment unsuitable because it can affect the bowel or abdominal wall.

Abdominal distension means unusual bloating or swelling of the abdomen. If you have an unexplained abdominal mass, lasting distension or significant new swelling, seek medical advice before considering a colonic.

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease. It can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits, including diarrhoea. We do not provide a colonic during an active flare-up.

If your Crohn’s disease is controlled and you are not having a flare-up, please contact us before booking. We will review your situation and current medicines.

Colitis means inflammation of the colon. We do not provide a colonic during active colitis or an ulcerative colitis flare-up. The procedure may irritate bowel tissue that is already inflamed or fragile.

If the condition is in remission, contact us before booking so we can review suitability.

Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the colon, called diverticula, become inflamed or infected. We do not provide a colonic during active diverticulitis.

Diverticulosis means these small pouches are present without active inflammation. It is not the same as diverticulitis. However, please tell your therapist about it so we can review suitability and any related symptoms.

An anal fissure is a tear in the tissue around the anus. A fistula is an abnormal passage between two body structures, or between an internal structure and the skin. We do not provide a colonic when fissures or rectal fistulas are active, painful or inflamed.

Bright red blood from the rectum or anus, unexplained rectal bleeding or other active digestive bleeding is a contraindication. Do not use a colonic to investigate or manage unexplained bleeding.

If rectal bleeding is new, persistent or significant, seek medical advice.

An intestinal perforation is a hole or rupture in the bowel wall. Do not have colonic irrigation if you have a known or suspected bowel perforation. This condition needs medical care.

A bowel obstruction blocks the normal passage of bowel contents and gas. Adhesions, twisting of the bowel, a tumour or another blockage can cause it. Do not have a colonic if you have a suspected or diagnosed bowel obstruction. Seek medical advice instead.

Carcinoma is a type of cancer. We do not provide treatment for carcinoma of the colon or rectum. Cancer can make bowel tissue more vulnerable to bleeding or injury.

Please also tell us about other active cancers, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and cancer treatment. Suitability depends on the type of cancer, your treatment and recovery. We may ask for medical clearance before treatment.

After recent abdominal surgery, bowel stimulation and abdominal massage may put extra stress on healing tissue, stitches or surgical wounds.

You may need to wait and get medical clearance before treatment. Recovery times differ, so please tell us exactly what operation you had and when it took place.

For some procedures, the minimum wait may be around 12 weeks. Major abdominal, bowel or rectal surgery may need a longer recovery period. Your own recovery and medical advice take priority over a general timetable.

A haemorrhoidectomy is surgery to remove haemorrhoids. We do not provide a colonic while the area is healing.

Our previous guidance used a minimum wait of 12 weeks after haemorrhoid surgery. However, recovery varies. Consider treatment only after the area has fully healed and you have any medical clearance we request.

Do not book a colonic after recent rectal surgery. The tissue needs enough time to heal before any rectal equipment is used.

We have historically used a wait of at least 12 weeks for some rectal procedures. However, the exact operation and your recovery determine suitability. Major colon or rectal surgery may need a longer wait and written medical clearance.

Acute liver failure is a sudden and severe loss of liver function. We do not provide a colonic to anyone with acute liver failure or serious active liver disease. Please tell us about significant liver disease before considering treatment and seek medical advice.

Anaemia means the blood has too little haemoglobin or too few healthy red blood cells. Severe anaemia is a contraindication because it can increase weakness, dizziness or the risk of fainting.

Please also tell us about mild, treated or previously diagnosed anaemia so we can review your current health.

An aneurysm is a bulge or enlargement in the wall of a blood vessel. It can be a serious circulation problem. Please tell us about any diagnosed aneurysm. We will not provide treatment unless the appropriate clinician has confirmed that it is suitable.

Some heart and circulation conditions can make a colonic unsuitable. These include congestive heart failure, severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure and some situations after major heart surgery.

If you have a heart condition, take heart or blood-pressure medicine, or have had heart surgery, please contact us before booking.

Dialysis supports people whose kidneys cannot filter the blood well enough. Kidney function and fluid balance need close medical care. If you receive dialysis, we will only consider a colonic with specific medical approval.

Renal insufficiency means the kidneys do not work well enough to filter the blood and control fluid and salts. Significant renal insufficiency is a contraindication to treatment.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect different tissues and organs. Lupus, related complications and some medicines used to control it may make the bowel more fragile or affect healing and immune response.

Please tell us about lupus or another significant autoimmune disease. Suitability depends on your condition, current symptoms, complications and medicines. We do not treat every autoimmune diagnosis in the same way.

Pregnancy is a contraindication to routine colon hydrotherapy. Please do not book a colonic treatment if you are pregnant or believe that you may be pregnant.

In some medical situations, an obstetric or medical professional may prescribe or give an enema, including around childbirth. This is different from visiting a complementary therapy clinic for routine colon hydrotherapy.

Some anticoagulant or blood-thinning medicines can make a colonic unsuitable. They affect normal blood clotting and can increase the effects of bleeding or tissue injury.

Please tell us before booking if you take anticoagulants or antiplatelet medicines. Suitability can depend on the medicine, dose and reason for taking it.

Please tell us before booking if a doctor has diagnosed a significant bowel or other medical condition. Also tell us about medicines that may affect the bowel wall, blood clotting, immune response, fluid balance or salt balance.

Long-term steroids, some heart medicines, diuretics and other prescription medicines may be relevant. We may ask you to get advice or written clearance from your GP or specialist before treatment.

Do not stop prescribed medicine just to have a colonic. Only the clinician responsible for your care should tell you to stop or change it.

Not during an active flare-up or active inflammatory bowel disease. If your condition is controlled and in remission, contact us before booking. We can review your current health and medicines.

There is no single waiting period for every operation. The timing depends on the type of surgery, the tissues involved and your recovery. Abdominal, bowel and rectal surgery may need much longer recovery than a minor procedure. Please contact us before booking.

Yes. Please tell us about current prescription medicines and recent medical treatment. Anticoagulants, long-term steroids, diuretics and medicines linked to significant medical conditions may affect whether a colonic is suitable.

Please contact Parkland Natural Health or complete our suitability assessment before booking. If needed, we may ask you to get advice or written clearance from the healthcare professional responsible for your condition.