The colon is a very important organ located in the abdominal cavity at the end of the digestive tract.  It plays an important role in eliminating bodily wastes and houses a great array of good bacteria.  These bacteria are very helpful in improving one’s immunity to infection as well as in preventing colon cancer.

Now, overtime, the colon does not always get rid of all the toxic bodily wastes completely, making a person feel bloated and suffer from other conditions believed to result from improperly digested food stuck in the colon.  This is where colonic irrigation comes in.

Sometimes also referred to as colonic hydrotherapy, irrigation of the colon is the process of flushing out wastes and toxins out of the body through the use of filtered water getting into the bowel and out of it.

Now, you may be asking what are the benefits of colonic irrigation?

Although there is no specific study yet which shows how effective this therapy is, many people attest to its effectiveness and how it helps cure other conditions like the following:

• Atonic (sluggish) colon
• Colitis in remission
• Allergies
• Candida
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Flatulence
• Diarrhea
• Haemorrhoids
• Constipation
• Irritable Bowel Movement or IBS
• Headache
• Bloating
• Diverticulosis
• Parasitic infections
• Lethargy
• Halitosis
• Indigestion
• Mucous colitis

• Multiple sclerosis
• Skin problems like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis

• Urinary urgency in females.

Colonic irrigation together with other suitable measures is also believed to be effective during cleansing diets or detox, fasting, gall flushes, and weight loss programs. The procedure is considered safe and unlike using laxatives and enemas, it is not habit-forming.  It even tones the colon.

If you have been toying with the idea of going through the process, there are some things you have to keep in mind though.  Not everyone is OK to go through it.  If you are suffering from conditions like active inflammation (like Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, and ulcerative colitis), active infections, and hemorrhoids, you should not go through the procedure. It may only make you feel worse.

Also, if you have any of the following diseases such as severe hypertension, congestive heart disease, liver cirrhosis, severe anemia, kidney problems, colo-rectal carcinoma, or severe hemorrhaging, you must absolutely abstain from the procedure because it may only result to abdominal pains that won’t go away.   Same goes when you are on your first trimester of pregnancy, or when your pregnancy is complicated.

Have you been wondering how is a colonic irrigation performed?  Well, wonder no more.  This is the time for you to learn about this form of treatment and be aware of what good (or bad) it could do for a person.

Basically, there is no special preparation for a colonic irrigation procedure, although logically, therapists advise patients not to have big meals and a lot of fluid before the therapy.

Now, when you visit a licensed colon hydrotherapist, he or she will review your case history, explain the process, and tell you about how he or she is going to perform the procedure and what you should expect from it.  After which, a brief rectal examination is going to be done on you.  When the result shows normal, you can start with the process.

A speculum will be inserted 1.5 inches (4cm) to open your sphincter. Then, a tube with an inlet and outlet will be attached to the end of the speculum to open the system.  It will allow the water to go in and then go out, carrying the waste materials and toxins as the water comes out.  Basically, the waste will be piped away.

A procedure like this uses about 60 liters of filtered water.  However, do not fret just as yet because not all of it is allowed to enter your body all at once.  Only a small amount is allowed to get into the bowel at any single time.  It acts to dilate the colon, stimulating it to empty itself. All in all, about 15 liters of filtered water enters the bowel during therapy and almost all of it comes out with the toxins included. The pressure of the water is carefully controlled by the therapist.  It is mild enough. In fact, even lower than what is normally generated when having a bowel movement.

At first, water is allowed to get into your lower bowel as you lie on your left side, then, after about 10 minutes, you will be asked to turn and lie on your back. Using some gentle massaging techniques across your abdomen, the hydrotherapist will help in forcing out waste and gas pockets from your body.  The same procedure will be done as you lie on the opposite side.

Colonic irrigation usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes.  You may be given some probiotic drinks afterwards to help your colon recuperate from the procedure.