Colonics Made Simple
Curious about colon hydrotherapy but not sure where to start? Many first-time clients have the same questions about what colonics are, how often they should be done, and what to expect before and after a session. To help you feel informed and comfortable, we’ve put together answers to the most common questions about colonics and how they support overall wellness.
How often can I have a colonic?
The gut is often called the body’s “second brain” because it plays a vital role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination. When the digestive system slows down, toxins can build up and contribute to inflammation, infection, and other health concerns. Colon hydrotherapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, but many people benefit from weekly sessions to release excess waste and support overall wellness. For beginners, an initial series of 3–4 weekly treatments is often recommended to jumpstart detoxification and lay the foundation for better long-term gut health. Afterward, frequency can be tailored to your individual needs and goals.
How do I prepare?
Simply avoid eating 2–3 hours beforehand and drink plenty of water. It’s that easy.
Is there anything I should avoid after my colonic?
As a general rule, avoid greasy, sugary, spicy and heavy foods after your colonic. Drink lots of water and allow your body to rest. Alcohol should be avoided since the colon, liver, and bloodstream have just been cleansed and it will go straight into your system and affect you extremely quickly.
Can colonics help with stress or trauma?
Yes—emotions often affect digestion. Colonics encourage release of both physical waste and emotional tension, helping the nervous system relax. By talking about what is bothering you, the colonics process will help to release this “baggage” and stool! The therapist will help you to focus on relaxing your body so your nervous system is able to let go.
What about bloating?
Bloating signals that the colon is full of stool. When stool is stored, it creates gas due to fermentation. Colonics will open your detox pathways so this gas and toxins can leave the body. Once the stool is removed, digestion energy, skin and gas will improve. Regular colonics are a great tool for resetting the gut, supporting detoxing, and helping you feel lighter and more energized.
What can make colonics even more effective?
Each colonics session helps to retrain the colon muscles. This encourages natural peristalsis (the involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine creating wave-like movements that push the contents of the canal forward) and restores good tone to a lazy colon. Over time, your gut becomes stronger and is better able to move waste on its own.
How are colonics different from enemas?
Colonics use 15–20 gallons of water, while enemas only use approximately a couple quarts to a half gallon of water, so colonics cleanse more deeply.
Do I need colonics if I’m “regular”?
Even with regular bowel movements, the average person is holding 7-15 pounds of waste in their colon. If you are not pooping 2-3x’s a day, the toxins from the stool get reabsorbed back into the bloodstream and recirculated throughout the body. The result is skin breakouts, headaches, brain fog, bloating, low energy, and hormonal issues. A colon cleanse is one of the best things you can do for your wellness. Colonics are part of a healthy lifestyle and are so gentle, there is no reason not to try it.
Why not just use laxatives?
Chemical laxatives and stool softeners are harsh to the digestive system and do not address the root cause of the constipation. Consistent use of chemical laxatives can lead to dependency meaning your bowels will stop functioning properly without them. Laxatives can dry out the bowel, cause irritation to the colon lining, cause electrolyte imbalance and harm gut flora over time. Because good gut health is the priority, colonics are a simple way to help soften and remove waste from the colon using only sterile water. They will help you to tone the colon muscles and help you go on your own at home.
What conditions can they help?
Colonics can help with constipation, ibs/ibd, mental health, auto immune disorders, skin issues like acne and psoriasis, candida, parasite and parasite cleansing, incomplete bowel movement, sleep issues, abdominal discomfort, inflammation, bloating, overall health and wellbeing. Additional symptoms that can be improved with regular colonics is looking puffy, sore joints, PCOS, horrible periods, anemia, crazy sugar cravings, and chronic sinus infections.
Should I do a colonic when doing a cleanse?
No one should begin any type of cleanse without first ensuring they are having at least one daily bowel movement and that their elimination pathways are open. Parasite cleansing, for example, can stir up toxins and cause die-off symptoms when those toxins are reabsorbed into the bloodstream, often leaving a person feeling worse instead of better. To prevent this, it’s recommended to have a colonic both before and after a cleanse. Colonics help maintain regular elimination and make the cleansing process more effective.
Will colonics flush out too much healthy bacteria?
A clean, well-hydrated bowel provides the ideal environment for healthy gut bacteria to thrive. As balance is restored, clients often notice reduced inflammation, clearer thinking, better mood, improved hormone balance, and stronger immunity. Each colonic session not only removes waste but also supports the gut’s natural resilience.
Who can have a colonic?
Most people are good candidates for colonics. Exceptions would be people with kidney disease, congestive heart failure, or recent abdominal surgeries. Colonics are a natural option of healing the gut, and can be an option for avoiding surgery.
Will colonics cure my constipation?
While colonics will provide immediate relief from constipation, it is necessary to have several sessions to remove old, stuck stool. Open colonics systems improve the overall health and strength of the colon to promote regular bowel movements. Aging, diet, use of stool softeners and laxatives, and other factors lead to a lazy colon that does not perform optimally. Regular colonics sessions can help to improve a lazy colon. When a client puts a focus on healing their gut, many other issues can resolve due to addressing the root cause of the problem.
How do I know if I need a colonic?
A client does not need to have anything going “wrong” to have a colonic. Even people who have a bowel movement after every meal can benefit from a colonics session. Your colon is the garbage can of your body. If you do not empty it, it can overflow into your life. Many clients learn about colonics as a result of it being a last resort. Clients have been to the doctor, taken medications for constipation, changed their diets, done other types of cleansing, suffered from indigestion, and struggled with bloating. It is encouraged to come in for a session when you notice your body is not performing at its best in order to reset the gut.
What if I am on my period (cycle) when I come in for my colonic?
This is a great time to do a colonic since the body is in a state of naturally detoxing.
Nothing else has worked for me, how do I know colonics will work for me?
The good news is that a colonic will work for every client every time. Colon hydrotherapy is a safe, natural way to gently rinse the colon with a warm, gentle infusion of purified water that hydrates the colon and brings stuck stool, bacteria, and gas out of the body. The removal of the excess waste gives the client immediate relief.
What can I expect to see during my first colonics session?
Many clients will release a lot of stool during their session. In the first sessions, the client can expect to release gas, which can create a barrier in the gut. Gassy pockets can block water from reaching and softening the stool. Once the gas is removed, the stool can start to flow more easily. Stress and anxiousness can make the body hold onto stool. The gut and nervous system are connected. If the client is very nervous, the body will attempt to go into “hold mode” instead of “release mode”. The therapist will work with the client to calm the mind and focus on deep breaths to help relaxation and release. Dehydration is a key factor for successful colonics as well. If the client is not well hydrated, the colon pulls water from your stool to use elsewhere. This causes the stool to become dry, hard, and harder to move. Proper hydration before your session help prepare your body to release more comfortably and effectively.
Will getting a colonic hurt?
Colonics should never cause pain. Most clients will experience some mild cramping periodically during the session as the stool releases from the body. These cramps are similar to what might be experienced with diarrhea. A heating pad is provided to help with any discomfort. Remember that sometimes detoxing in the beginning can be tough, but it gets better and your body will be healthier as a whole.
Can I do a colonic in place of my colonoscopy prep?
A colonic will certainly help to prepare a client for their colonoscopy appointment. It is not guaranteed that a single colonic session will be as effective as your doctor prescribed preparation. Many clients who have had failed colonoscopy appointments due to not being “clean enough” come in for a colonic to ensure the prep is effective.
Am I going to be dehydrated after my colonics session?
Absolutely not. During your 45 minute session, between 19-22 gallons of sterilized water will cycle through your colon. The soft tissues will absorb any water your body is needing. You will leave your colonics appointment more hydrated than you came in.
What is a simple way to explain how a colonics session works?
The client will lay on their back on the colonics table. They are fully covered with a gown. A small tube the size of a drinking straw is inserted into the colon. The therapist will turn on the water to allow it to enter your colon. When you get the feeling of being full, the client will release the water just like having a bowel movement. Water, gas, and stool are released. The session is a series of filling and releasing.
