Frequently Asked Questions About Colonics

This is the number one question I get asked! Getting a colon hydrotherapy session with the system that I use does not hurt.  At times it may feel like you need to have a bowel movement or like pressure is building up and then being released.

If you have a lot of gas/bloating, there may be some slight cramping akin to a period cramp (for women) or a diarrhea cramp. I do some light lymphatic abdominal massage and some acupressure points to facilitate the process and make it more comfortable for you.

Not at all. During the session you are lying on your back or side and you are fully covered with a gown and towel. With the closed system we use, all of the waste and gas is contained in the tubing and not exposed to the air.

It is normal to feel nervous the first time you come for a colonic. In fact in that first session, you will likely feel a bit nervous until you leave. We will take some time to address any questions or concerns you may have prior to the colon hydrotherapy session.

Clients often comment after their first colon hydrotherapy session that they are surprised at how much easier and more comfortable it was than they had imagined.

Contrary to what many people think, you do not need to fast during the course of your colon hydrotherapy sessions. It is not a juice fast or master cleanse, although some people do colonics while doing those types of cleanses.

I use the Hydro-San Colon Hydrotherapy System. It is a "closed" colon hydrotherapy system, meaning there is no exposure of waste material to the air. The waste material travels through a hose and travels directly into the sewage system. The water used is triple filtered. The instrument warms the water up to body temperature for a comfortable experience. We can also control the pressure of the water going into the body, I use a very gentle pressure for safety and comfort. Learn more about the Hydro-San Colon Hydrotherapy System and see what it looks like.

Yes.  We use disposable colon hydrotherapy speculums and tubing. Each pre-packaged kit is used once and then disposed of.

  1. Hydrate  In the days leading up to your colon hydrotherapy session drink a good amount of water (6-8 cups per day). The more hydrated you are, the more waste your body will be able to release.
  2. Avoid gas producing foods – The day before your session avoid white wine, sugar, carbonated drinks, broccoli and any other foods that give you gas. The less gas you have, the more comfortable your session will be.
  3. Don’t eat or drink 2 hours before your appointment – If you are thirsty, a bit of water is okay.
  4. Increase fruit and vegetable intake – in the week prior to your colon hydrotherapy session, eat 1-3 apples a day in addition to whatever else you are eating.
  1. Avoid alcohol and spicy foods  the day of your session.
  2. Drink a good amount of water - to continue to facilitate the removal of toxins.
  3. Eat something healthy – My personal favorite after a colon hydrotherapy session is steamed white rice and veggies with black beans or lentils. Go with your instincts. If you feel more like a juice or smoothie, go for it!
  4. Take a probiotic supplement – We recommend taking a probiotic supplement for 30 days after any colon cleansing to replenish your gut bacteria.

Give yourself one hour from start to finish. The Colon Hydrotherapy session lasts 30-45 minutes. You will spend some time in the restroom afterwards.

We use one of the safest colon hydrotherapy systems on the market. With the FDA approved Hydro-San closed system, we use a very gentle pressure of water going into the body which can be measured and is monitored with the equipment’s pressure gauge. We closely monitor both temperature and pressure throughout the colon hydrotherapy session.

We  use a small amount of water (and do not overfill) at a low pressure on the fills and utilize the body’s natural muscle action (peristalsis) to eliminate the waste material. Many people cannot even feel the water going in because it is so gentle.

We use FDA approved “one-time-use” medical grade plastic disposable speculums and hoses because we feel they are the most sanitary. We never use metal speculums due to the risk of improper cleaning. We use new clean water hoses and waste hoses for every session.

With the Hydro-San system, the speculum (tube) is only inserted approximately 2 inches into recturm. This is much less invasive than a colonoscopy probe which gets inserted up to 23 inches into the colon. Our speculums have a rounded tip for comfort and safety, and the client inserts their own speculum in accordance with California law requirements. Perforation of the colon is not a risk with our system. Learn more about the Hydro-San Colon Hydrotherapy System and see what it looks like.

Colon hydrotherapy is not recommended for children.

You are never left alone during our colon cleansing sessions. The practitioner is in the room with you the whole time.

It really depends on why you are getting colonics and what you are trying to achieve.

It is generally recommended that a first-timer to colon hydrotherapy do a series of 3-10 initial colon hydrotherapy sessions. The first 3 sessions should be spaced within a 10-14 day period. The subsequent sessions can be done once or twice per week. The goal is to cleanse the full length of the colon which is about 5 ½ feet long. Each session builds on the previous one when they are spaced relatively close together as your body will hold the hydration, which is a key in releasing the older residue.

If the initial 3 sessions are spaced too far apart, it will be like starting the process all over again each time. After the first single session you probably won’t notice too much of a change. You should definitely feel a difference when a full cleanse has occurred. Some people will need 5-10 sessions.

After the initial sessions, most clients come once per month for maintenance.

Please do not come in for a colonic if you are sick with a cold or flu. Your immune system is working very hard during these times and your body needs rest. Also, it is important to avoid spreading colds and flu to other people coming into the office.

Do not do a colon hydrotherapy series if you are unable follow the dietary guidelines while doing your series of sessions. Do it when you have the time and ability to eat healthy and can avoid alcohol, dairy, sugar and wheat products for the duration of your colonic treatments. The nutritional guidelines are essential for a successful and comfortable colon cleanse. Eating the wrong foods can shut down the cleansing process and subject you to experiencing unnecessary unpleasant effects such as more gas.

  • 50% of the benefits of colonics come from removing the toxins
  • The other 50% of the benefits come from putting in the correct nutritious foods while you are doing the colon hydrotherapy program
  • Certain foods cleanse the body and other immediately stop the cleanse process

Those with the following conditions cannot receive colonic treatment:

  • Pregnancy
  • Severe Cardiac Disease
  • Carcinoma of the Colon
  • Aneurysm
  • Severe Anemia
  • Recent Colon Surgery
  • Cirrhosis
  • Fissures
  • Abdominal Hernia
  • Severe hemorrhoids, currently bleeding and/or inflamed hemorrhoids
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Fistulas
  • GI hemorrhage / perforation
  • Renal insufficiency

If you are not sure if you are able to receive colon hydrotherapy, please consult  your medical doctor. If you need a referral for a medical doctor familiar with colon hydrotherapy, let me know and I’d be happy to give you referrals.

It depends on what type of weight loss you are talking about. If you are asking about the weight of the excess waste material in the colon, then yes, sometimes people lose anywhere from a few ounces to a couple of pounds in a session. That weight loss is coming from stool though and not fat, which is what most people are interested in losing. 

If it is fat weight loss you are interested in, that is a different matter. I usually will ask about the cause of the weight gain. Was it sudden? Have you had it for many years? What does your doctor say about it? What are you eating? Do you have any chronic health issues? Have you been exposed to environmental toxins such as mold? Do you eat out of emotional stress? Have you kept extra pounds since giving birth?

Once I have more information about your unique situation, we can come up with a longer term strategy which usually involves some colon hydrotherapy sessions along with learning how to make healthy adjustments to your daily nutrition and build a healthy relationship with the foods you are putting into your body. I am interested in helping you make lifestyle changes that will help you get your weight in a healthy place for the long term.

A series of colon hydrotherapy sessions can be a great kick-start to any healthy lifestyle change. Feeling lighter around the tummy and having more energy are great catalysts to motivate exercise and healthy eating.