Yes. You may use a tampon which does not interfere with the procedure at all, if you do not get on with tampons this is ok too.
Around 40-45 minutes, sometimes a little longer if necessary. The treatment takes as long as the patient requires.
It should not be painful or uncomfortable. To those new to colonics, it is a strange sensation as the water passes through the colon and out of the body. It will feel like you need to go to the toilet, but you will be lying on the couch which seems odd. You relax and all the waste products pass into the waste pipe and away from the body.
It goes immediately out of the building through the main waste system.
You go to the bathroom and sit on the toilet. You may pass some more waste material with water. You should sit there until nothing more is passed.
Avoid a heavy meal and alcohol just before the treatment, and make sure you are hydrated.
The treatment affects people in different ways, although a feeling of lightness and a reduction in abdominal bloating is common.
There should be no side effects. Occasionally there may be some slight abdominal cramping during the treatment just before some waste matter evacuates. Occasionally you might feel slightly thirsty.
Some of the gut flora would be washed out. However, it is generally back to normal levels a day or so later with a normal diet. The treatment does not interfere in any way with digestion, as most digestion and absorption of nutrients take place in the small intestine, rather than the colon.
It is possible to induce daily evacuation after treatment, if it is combined with lifestyle and nutritional changes. Quite often mineral and vitamin deficiency encourage a constipated state. The result can be permanent or last for several months.
No, if I can see you the next day, or even later the same day I will. I understand how uncomfortable it can be with certain problems.
Coffee is especially good in cases of constipation. It is good at stimulating the colon to contract and expel waste. Coffee which is taken anally rather than orally is good for detoxification. Caffeine enemas cause the bile ducts to dilate which facilitates excretion of toxic breakdown products by the liver and dialysis of toxic products from blood across the colonic wall. (The Naturopathy Workbook, Stephen Langley MSc, ND, DipHom, DBM, DipAc, OMD, 2004).
Each person is different, but I would not recommend them too frequently. If detoxification is sought, a period of 4-6 weeks between treatments should be adequate for a period of time then break for a few months, or if lifestyle is good, perhaps twice a year. If treating severe constipation, it may be necessary to have two or three colonics, say at two or three weekly intervals then stop until either the symptoms return, if at all, or if a colonic is wanted for detoxification. Sometimes a single treatment is enough. Many people return because the treatment makes them feel energised and healthy.
If the person is in balance emotionally, and they are leading a healthy lifestyle with adequate quantities and quality foods and supplements if necessary, it could be indefinite.
Please bring along any medication and/or supplements which are currently being taken.
You should eat meals as usual and try not to skip breakfast, please ensure you drink enough water to maintain hydration.
In short, yes, Colon hydrotherapy is approved by the IBS Network. Click here for more information. Treatments are effective in relieving constipation and bloating. The personalized naturopathic and nutritional advice I offer should also help you achieve a reduction in symptoms long term. .