Colonic Hydrotherapy Aftercare: What to Expect After a Colonic

If you are having colonic hydrotherapy for the first time, it is natural to wonder how you may feel afterwards, what you should eat, whether you can exercise, and when your next bowel movement is likely to happen.

At Parkland Natural Health in Holborn, aftercare advice is an important part of every colonic hydrotherapy appointment. Your therapist will discuss what to expect after your session and give you individual guidance where appropriate.

Most people can return to their normal routine after colonic hydrotherapy. There is usually no need to fast, follow a restrictive diet or make major changes to your day.

However, giving yourself a little time to rest, eating normally and staying comfortably hydrated can make the hours following your treatment more pleasant.

How might I feel after colonic hydrotherapy?

People respond differently to colonic hydrotherapy.

Many of our clients tell us that they feel comfortable, lighter or refreshed after their treatment. Others simply feel much the same as before.

Occasionally, particularly after a first treatment, a client may feel slightly sleepy afterwards.

We would describe this as sleepiness rather than exhaustion. If this happens, it can be helpful to go home, relax and, if possible, have a short rest or a 20–30 minute nap.

In our experience, many clients who do this feel refreshed afterwards and are able to continue with the rest of their day normally.

Some people may also notice temporary changes in abdominal sensations or bowel sounds. Mild gas or a feeling of movement in the abdomen can occur as the digestive system settles afterwards.

If anything feels unusual, persistent or concerning, contact your therapist for advice.

Can I eat after a colonic?

Yes.

We do not recommend fasting after colonic hydrotherapy.

You can eat after your appointment and, in most cases, return to your normal healthy diet.

There is no need to avoid protein foods such as eggs, fish or meat simply because you have had a colonic.

Instead, we generally recommend eating balanced meals containing foods that you normally tolerate well.

Immediately after your appointment, you may prefer not to have an exceptionally large or very heavy meal. This is mainly for comfort rather than because there is a particular food that must be avoided.

What foods are good after colonic hydrotherapy?

Our usual advice is to concentrate on a varied, balanced diet.

We particularly encourage clients to include plenty of vegetables, especially green and leafy vegetables, together with other naturally fibre-rich foods.

Depending on your normal diet and tolerance, this may include:

• green vegetables and leafy salads;
• other vegetables;
• fruit;
• whole grains;
• pulses and legumes;
• nuts and seeds;
• fish, eggs, meat or other sources of protein.

Fibre contributes to normal bowel function, but increasing fibre very suddenly is not always comfortable for everybody. If your usual diet is low in fibre, it is generally more sensible to increase it gradually.

People with specific gastrointestinal conditions or dietary restrictions should follow advice from their GP, dietitian or other appropriate healthcare professional rather than adopting a generic post-colonic diet.

Should I drink more water after a colonic?

You can drink normally after your treatment and should remain comfortably hydrated during the rest of the day.

There is usually no need to force yourself to drink excessive quantities of water.

Water, herbal tea and your usual non-alcoholic drinks can all contribute to normal hydration.

If you feel thirsty, drink according to your normal needs.

Some clients prefer to limit alcohol immediately after their treatment, particularly if they are feeling sleepy or simply want to give themselves a quieter day.

When will I have my next bowel movement?

This is one of the questions we are asked most frequently.

Do not be concerned if you do not have a bowel movement the following day.

For many people there is no immediate need to open the bowels after colon hydrotherapy.

It may take one or two days before the next bowel movement, and occasionally it may take longer.

The reason is quite straightforward: after the bowel has emptied during the treatment, it needs time for stool to accumulate naturally again.

Everyone has a different digestive transit time and a different normal bowel pattern, so there is no single number of hours after which everybody should expect to go to the toilet.

Having no bowel movement the next morning therefore does not automatically mean that you have become constipated.

Occasionally, however, some clients experience another bowel movement later on the same day. Individual responses vary.

If the absence of bowel movements continues considerably longer than is normal for you and is accompanied by increasing abdominal pain, marked bloating, vomiting or other concerning symptoms, you should seek appropriate medical advice.

Can I go to the gym after colonic hydrotherapy?

Although most clients are able to continue with ordinary daily activities, we generally recommend not scheduling a hard gym session or strenuous workout immediately after colonic hydrotherapy.

Our practical advice is to treat the remainder of the day a little more gently if possible.

During a colonic hydrotherapy session the bowel is active, with natural contractions occurring while water is introduced and released. For this reason, we often explain to clients that the session itself can feel a little like exercise for the bowel.

You do not have to spend the rest of the day in bed, but going directly from the clinic to intensive weight training, high-intensity exercise or a very strenuous workout is unnecessary.

Walking and normal everyday activity are generally fine if you feel well.

If you exercise regularly, you can usually return to your normal training routine once you feel completely comfortable.

Is it normal to feel sleepy after a colonic?

Some clients do.

We would not normally describe this as feeling weak or exhausted. Sleepiness or a desire to relax is a better description of what some people experience.

This is one reason we recommend avoiding an unnecessarily demanding schedule immediately after your appointment where possible.

If you go home and sleep for half an hour, you may find that you wake feeling refreshed and ready to continue your normal activities.

Of course, everyone responds differently, and many people experience no sleepiness at all.

What about gas or bowel sounds?

Some temporary gas, gurgling or changes in bowel sounds can occur after a treatment.

These usually settle naturally.

Gentle movement or a walk can be comfortable. Some people also enjoy a warm peppermint, fennel or chamomile tea.

You do not need to follow a complicated programme afterwards.

If you know that particular foods normally produce a great deal of gas or discomfort for you, it may simply be sensible not to eat a very large quantity of them immediately after your appointment.

Should I take probiotics after a colonic?

Probiotic supplements are not automatically necessary after every colonic hydrotherapy session.

Some clients already use probiotic foods or supplements as part of their normal diet, while others do not.

If you are considering taking a probiotic for a particular digestive problem, it is worth discussing this with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional because different products contain different organisms and formulations.

At Parkland Natural Health we also offer specific treatments that incorporate a probiotic implant, but this is different from saying that everybody needs probiotics after every colonic.

Your therapist can explain the available options during your consultation.

Can I return to work after a colonic?

In most cases, yes.

Colonic hydrotherapy does not normally require a recovery period and many clients return to work, travel or continue with their usual day after leaving the clinic.

However, if your schedule allows it, having a quieter period afterwards can be pleasant, particularly following your first appointment.

If you feel sleepy, allow yourself some rest rather than immediately arranging demanding exercise or a very busy programme.

What should I avoid after colonic hydrotherapy?

There is no long list of prohibited foods or activities.

Our general advice is simple:

• do not fast;
• eat normally and sensibly;
• include plenty of vegetables and naturally fibre-rich foods;
• drink according to your normal hydration needs;
• avoid overeating immediately after the session;
• consider postponing strenuous gym training until later or the following day;
• rest for a while if you feel sleepy;
• follow any personalised advice given by your colon hydrotherapist.

You also do not need to eliminate eggs, fish or meat simply because you have undergone colon hydrotherapy.

When should I contact my therapist or seek medical advice?

Mild temporary gas, bowel sounds or a changed bowel pattern can occur.

However, significant or persistent symptoms should not simply be assumed to be a normal consequence of colonic hydrotherapy.

Seek appropriate medical advice if you experience symptoms such as severe or increasing abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, significant rectal bleeding, fever, fainting or symptoms that are otherwise worrying or unusual for you.

Professional colon hydrotherapy should always begin with appropriate consultation and screening because there are medical circumstances in which treatment may not be suitable.

At Parkland Natural Health, every appointment includes a consultation and suitability screening before treatment begins. We use a closed-system approach and place particular emphasis on hygiene, privacy, communication and client comfort.

A simple aftercare routine

For most clients, colonic hydrotherapy aftercare does not need to be complicated.

Eat normally. Include plenty of vegetables. Keep comfortably hydrated. Give yourself some time to relax. Do not worry if you do not have a bowel movement the following morning, and postpone a strenuous gym workout if possible.

Most importantly, listen to your body and speak to your therapist if you have any questions about your individual response following treatment.

Parkland Natural Health provides professional colonic hydrotherapy in Holborn, Central London. If you are considering your first treatment, your therapist will explain both the procedure and the aftercare advice during your appointment.

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