If your friends have been hinting that you’re full of crap, it might be time to take action. Colonic irrigation, once thought of as an expensive, exotic enema for the super-rich and Hollywood stars, used to be out of reach for us mere mortals. Not any more.
Unlike your run-of-the-mill enema, in theory there is no water retention. Instead, a gentle, steady flow of mineral-enhanced water goes gently in and out of the colon, helped on its journey by a light abdominal massage.
It sounds vile, but colonic cleansing therapy has (reported) benefits that aren’t just about improving the digestive system. Aficionados claim it can improve everything from your skin tone to your sex life – in just one hour.
If you fancy a spot of this buttock-clenching treatment – and if the thought of having diarrhea and /or explosive farts in front of a complete stranger appeals – then this just might be the treatment for you.
The Enema Within
Colonic irrigation is when liquid is introduced into the colon, or large intestine, helping eventually to rid it of poisons, gas, and ‘accumulated fecal matter’ (that’s poo, to me and you).
Unlike your run-of-the-mill enema, in theory there is no water retention. Instead, a gentle, steady flow of mineral-enhanced water goes gently in and out of the colon, helped on its journey by a light abdominal massage.
In fact, some colonic converts are irrigated bi-monthly, claiming that a regular appointment helps them feel better by sloughing off years and years of encrusted poo and mucus, even getting rid of undigested food that has been lying around for decades (no, really).
Skeptics, however, say that the bowel is not a dirty place and that the bacteria there is there for a reason. They see no benefits of such a treatment, and argue that colonic irrigation interferes with nature’s delicate balance, and is therefore a bit of a bum deal.
However, colonic hydrotherapy practitioners claim that having such an anal cocktail – with a good practitioner and not too often - has the following health benefits:
- Can help cure everything from constipation to IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome to allergies to flatulence and even – wait for it - halitosis
- Digestive transit time is improved, which can be helpful for people with conditions such as diverticulitis, multiple bulging pouches in the lining of the colon, although the condition must be in remission when you have the treatment
- Great for people following a detox diet plan who want to make sure they are clean inside and out
- Can improve other parts of the body where proper colon functioning is key, such as skin, lungs, urinary tract and even your sex life (although don’t let your partner see you having the treatment, or they may never want to sleep with you again!)
An Inner Journey
If the thought of having this type of rectal recreation doesn’t appeal – and frankly, why would it – then perhaps you need to know more about the therapy. First off, you will have a in-depth (no pun intended) chat with your colonic irrigation specialist at your local med spa, to explain what the procedure is all about and whether you are a suitable candidate.
Next, clients are led into a special room where they are given unattractive, hospital-type gowns and told to disrobe completely from the waist down, then lie on their backs with their knees up. If you women out there are reminded of a Pap smear, you’re right!
From this vantage point you’ll be able to see a machine that looks like an enormous Hoover mounted to the wall, with a large hose pointing menacingly toward at you. You’ll be asked to turn slightly to one side then, as fast as you can say “No frickin’ way!”, the end of a speculum attached to a hose, actually quite a small one, will be inserted between your buttocks.
After the initial shock (and embarrassment) wears off, the machine will be switched on. Warm water mixed with special minerals begin traveling down the hose toward you, and after a few minutes you’ll feel your bowels filling up.
The machine will then be switched off and your tummy will be massaged lightly. After about five minutes the machine will be switched back on. As clean water enters your colon, soiled water will exit it, through a tiny attachment to the hose.
The best bit is the view. You can literally watch, spellbound, as years of accumulated matter begins to unlatch itself from your colon wall and float away out the transparent tube, turning it a beautiful shade of brown.
After you are well and truly irrigated, your attendant, if he or she is a good one, will politely excuse him or herself and allow you to use the toilet. While you may think your fecal matter will no doubt have already emptied out, meaning the worst part is over, that is not usually the case.
“I barely had time to close the door before I exploded, emptying the contents of my bowels several times and repeatedly thanking God that nobody was around to hear the sound effects that accompanied my final evacuation,” says client Daisy Monson, recalling her first time.
“Weak and a bit dizzy, I pulled up my pants and walked home, hoping that my colon would live to see another day. I was just glad I could walk home and didn’t have to rely on public transport, or I may have embarrassed myself even further.”
Colonic Facts
- About 60 liters of water (filtered, that is) are used per treatment
- Only about 15 liters of the above water are allowed to actually enter the bowels
- Maintenance, or follow-up treatments, may be recommended, depending on how full of sh*t you are
- Colonic irrigation is considered safe, and when done properly with sterile equipment and not too often you should experience no negative side effects, apart from short-term flatulence and loose bowels. Sometimes friendly bacteria is introduced along with other minerals to make sure your digestive system is working well in the long-term
- Colonic irrigation is not habit-forming (thank God for that!)
If you fancy a spot of colon cleansing yourself, make sure you are the right candidate by discussing the idea with a health practitioner first. Only visit a med spa where the equipment is properly sterilized, and remember that having the treatment too often is not only expensive (and disgusting), but can also interfere with your natural defecation patterns.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care an appropriate health care provider.
If you are considering colonic irrigation, check out the following links to find specialists in your area:
Atlanta Medical Spas | Boston Medical Spas | Charlotte Medical Spas | Chicago Medical Spas | Dallas Medical Spas | Los Angeles Medical Spas | Miami Medical Spas | Minneapolis Medical Spas | New York Medical Spas | Philadelphia Medical Spas | Phoenix Medical Spas | San Francisco Medical Spas | Seattle Medical Spas | Washington, DC Medical Spas | See More Cities
