Also called colon irrigation, colon hydrotherapy is a colon cleansing technique that involves purifying the body. In this sheet, you will discover this technique in more detail, its principles, its history, its benefits, who can practice it, how and what are the contraindications to its use.

Colon hydrotherapy is a technique for cleansing the large intestine (colon) using water to which plants or probiotics are sometimes added.

The main principles

The water is gently injected into the colon through the rectum, using a hose connected to a device designed for this purpose. Held inside the intestine, the liquid dislodges what is there (stool, mucus, toxins, etc.) down to the smallest folds. Then the water comes out carrying the waste with it. As everything is done in a “closed circuit” (see In practice), the process is completely odorless. The device allows you to adjust and control the temperature, pressure and quantity of water.

Colon hydrotherapy is based, among other things, on the thesis of auto-intoxication. According to its followers, the body can poison itself by reabsorbing toxins accumulated in the large intestine.

In addition, the effect of poor intestinal function or a simple fouling would weaken the immune system (among other consequences) and cause many problems in other areas of the body, from the common cold to cardiovascular disease.

This hypothesis has been refuted by the medical community, including by practitioners and scientists of alternative and complementary medicine. According to Dr Edzard Ernst, author of the DesktopGuide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine, no scientific evidence, old or new, supports the thesis of auto-intoxication and the practice of colon hydrotherapy would not be supported by anything more. than a hypothesis and anecdotal cases, and could even prove dangerous.

According to the controversial hypothesis on which this practice is based, colon hydrotherapy stimulates the immune system by detoxifying the body, which would have an effect on several bodily functions. Among the most frequently cited problems are headaches, asthma, allergies, eczema, psoriasis, kidney failure, menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), drug dependence (including smoking) , arthritis and other inflammatory or congestive conditions. None of these applications, however, have been the subject of controlled studies.

Colon hydrotherapy practitioners also claim to treat ailments related to the intestinal and digestive system such as diarrhea and gas, even ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis, although in the latter two cases great caution is recommended.

Treat constipation and fecal incontinence

In practice, the main reason for consultation in colon hydrotherapy is a problem of constipation. In 2010, a systematic review identified 27 studies, including a total of 1 patients, of whom 901 were children predominantly suffering from spina bifida and 672 adults with spinal cord injury, bowel dysfunction, and complications following partial removal of the intestine due to the presence of cancer. In children, the results of the listed cases show a success rate of 1% to 229% for short-term use. The long-term effect of hydrotherapy has not been analyzed. In adults, the success rate was 66% for constipation, 97% for fecal incontinence, and 45% for mixed symptoms (constipation and fecal incontinence).

The authors conclude that colon hydrotherapy may be a treatment option for some people with functional bowel problems (such as constipation and fecal incontinence), but that larger studies should be undertaken before proceeding. be able to conclude with certainty that this therapy is effective.

Treat bleeding from the rectum resulting from radiation therapy, following pelvic cancer

In 2011, a study was carried out on 12 patients suffering from inflammation with hemorrhage of the rectal mucosa following radiotherapy treatment. It showed that a treatment of 8 weeks of colon irrigation added to the intake of antibiotics for 1 week could be considered valid and safe for these patients.

The specialist

The practice is not regulated, before lending itself to the hands of a hygienist, do not hesitate to ask for references and ask several questions. Where does the training of the hygienist come from? Does he have a certification? Is he a member of an association? How long has he been practicing? If the hygienist is difficult to play, refuses to answer, or does so evasively, the best course of action is to leave the office. The relationship of trust between the patient and the hygienist is a sine qua non for the smooth running of the treatment.

Another essential criterion in the choice of the hygienist: the cleanliness of the premises, including the equipment. The place should be spotless. Impeccable hygienic conditions are necessary for the practice of this treatment. At the time of the session, the hygienist should open the bag containing a new cannula in front of your eyes. However, some hygienists still use a stainless steel cannula, which is considered safe if sterilized in an autoclave between treatments.

Course of a session

Before proceeding with the operation, the hygienist takes the time to discuss with his patient. This interview serves to draw up a health check and also to establish a relationship of trust between the therapist and the patient. Colon hydrotherapy is a treatment that calls for privacy; the psychological aspect must therefore be considered.

At the time of the meeting, the hygienist will be able to answer his patient’s questions, and must indicate the treatment modalities. Depending on the case, the hygienist will recommend to the patient a special diet and the intake of herbal products, such as psyllium, a few days or a few weeks before the first session. The goal is to prepare the intestine so that the treatment is more effective and less painful.

During the treatment, the patient, covered with a sheet or a large towel, lies comfortably on his side or on his back (or alternately in either position) depending on the equipment and the hygienist method. A cannula connected to the device, provided with two independent conduits, is introduced into the rectum. The water is transported into the intestine through one of the conduits. It then remains there for a few minutes to dislodge stool, mucus and other waste. The practitioner can then proceed to massages the abdomen in order to promote the suspension of the residues. At this stage, the patient feels some discomfort, even a sensation that suggests intestinal cramps. Then, relief: the used water is evacuated outside the body by the second pipe. The patient can see the result with his eyes since the duct is transparent.

The operation is repeated a few times during the session, which lasts 45 to 60 minutes. At the end of the treatment, the hygienist can add certain products to the water in order to promote the balance of the intestinal flora. For a “big clean”, it is generally advisable to carry out a few treatments within a short period. Then, unless there is a chronic problem, we redo 1 or 2 hydrotherapy treatments per year.

Become a colon hygienist

Colon hygienists should have received specialized training in this technique. Several schools in Quebec, Europe and the United States offer training. Admission criteria and course corpus vary from place to place.

The International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy oversees the training and practice of the profession. To obtain basic accreditation, the organization requires a minimum training of 100 hours, given by a school or a duly certified instructor, or an experience of at least one year, including the execution of 100 treatments. Additional training allows you to obtain intermediate and advanced certifications. In Canada, the Canadian Corporation of Certified Colon Hygienists has similar standards. (See Sites of interest.)

Contraindications of colon hydrotherapy

People with Crohn’s disease, severe hemorrhoids, rectal or intestinal tumors, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis should not use colon hydrotherapy unless directed by a doctor. Frequent treatments should be avoided for people with cardiovascular or kidney problems. Abused (several times a week for several weeks), colon hydrotherapy can cause serious health problems, such as a deterioration of the intestinal flora or a mineral deficit. There are rare cases in the scientific literature of perforation of the intestine and one case of abscess which would have been caused by hydrotherapy treatments of the colon. Cases of infection, attributable to contaminations resulting from a lack of sterility of the devices used, have also been recorded.

This technique is in a way the modern version of the classic enema. This treatment was practiced by several ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians. The enema had its heyday in 3th century Europe. It was then well seen for a Parisian of good society to lend himself to 4 or XNUMX enemas per day! At the time, internal hygiene was seen as an essential condition for bodily well-being.

In 1917, Dr. Kellogg (brother of the founder of the grain company) wrote a major article in the Journal of American Medicine. He reports that he has treated thousands of people with different gastrointestinal illnesses without having to have surgery. His method: exercise, diet and hydrotherapy of the colon. The treatment became popular until it became a common practice in classical medicine. Change of course from the 1950s: colon hydrotherapy loses credibility in favor of other techniques and medications, including laxatives. Except for a few very specific purposes, such as certain preoperative care, colon hydrotherapy has not been practiced in hospitals or clinics since the 1970s. Today it is almost exclusively the preserve of colon hygienists.