Colonic Irrigation / Colonic Hydrotherapy
Colonic irrigation (more correctly known as colonic hydrotherapy) is a gentle internal bath using warm, purified water that can help to eliminate stored faecal matter, gas, mucus and toxic substances from the colon.
A practice dating from around 1500 B.C., colonic hydrotherapy can also help retonify and reshape the colon. However, colonics have a much broader effect than simply cleansing the colon.
Additional benefits can often be observed throughout the body in the form of clearer skin, more energy and mental clarity, fewer headaches, with circulatory, immune and weight problems often improving, amongst many other positive side effects.
Many people are referred to colonic hydrotherapy practitioners by other alternative therapists including homoeopaths, acupuncturists, herbalists, etc., since by detoxifying the system using colonics, these therapies tend to be more effective.
What's so great about colonic hydrotherapy?
Colonic irrigation washes away encrusted waste matter that you can't always get rid of yourself.
A colonic can help with:
- Allergies
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Flatulence
- Bloating
- Skin problems
- Headaches
- Candida (thrush / yeast infections)
- M.E.
Many people feel better all over, as well as lighter and more comfortable. A colonic is also a great kick-start to a diet or detox program.
Hi
Just wanted to say thanks to Denise. I am feeling great since visiting her.
She suggested that I give up wheat and dairy and ever since the weight is falling off me. I have lost 1stone 8lbs, I have bags of energy, I can lie down without feeling ill and the migraines/sinus problems are a thing of the past.
My IBS is also much improved.
Thanks once again
Hazel
Is colonic hydrotherapy (colonic irrigation) safe?
Yes - colonic irrigation has been around for a long time and, particularly with modern machinery, many thousands of colonics have been given safely. The water is pre-filtered and very low pressure, so it's a very gentle procedure.
Colonic hydrotherapy, unlike the use of laxatives, is not habit forming and actually improves the tone of the colon.
All our equipment is either disposable or disinfected using hospital approved disinfecting solutions, which kill all viruses, bacteria and fungi.
We only use disposable speculums and waste tubes to remove any possibility of cross-contamination between clients. The use of disposable equipment is endorsed by all the colonic hydrotherapy associations, both here in the UK and internationally, and is a worthwhile precaution in our opinion.
Claims of non-sterile speculums being dangerous are misleading and wrong, as rectal speculae do not have to be sterile. Think about it - they're being inserted into a distinctly non-sterile environment.
We do, of course, ensure that the disposables we use are clean and freshly packed. Ours come from Germany, and from the same manufacturer as the equipment that we use.
Contrary to the scare tactics employed by some clinics, they are not packed in Third World countries, and we can vouch for their safety as they are packaged to German medical standards.
How do I know your colonic hydrotherapists know what they're doing?
Before we let any of our therapists near such a delicate part of your anatomy, we insist that they attend a recognised and reputable training course.
Both our therapists (Lesley Graham and Denise Shore) have undergone an intensive 10-day training, where they learn not only about the digestive system and the 'ins and outs' of colonic hydrotherapy, but also many other related and useful topics to enable them to offer you the best service possible.
They both trained with the Midlands School of Colon Hydrotherapy (www.colonproblems.co.uk). This is one of the top schools in the UK, approved and regulated by the Association & Register of Colon Hydrotherapists, and has very strict entrance requirements.
You can verify the current registration of our therapists by checking under Northamptonshire on the register of therapists at The Association & Register of Colon Hydrotherapists website.
On that note, we strongly recommend you verify that any therapist you see is actually a currently registered member of the ARCH (the only association recommended by Gillian McKeith - Channel 4 "You Are What You Eat").
We chose to train and register our therapists with the ARCH because they have the strictest and highest entrance requirements of any colonic hydrotherapy association, and we wanted to be absolutely sure that any therapist entrusted with your health was trained to the highest possible standard.
Both Lesley and Denise have full professional and public liability insurance, and you can inspect a copy of their insurance certificates when you attend for a treatment. (Again, please ensure that any therapist you visit is properly insured - ask to see their insurance certificate to be sure).
Finally, both our therapists are qualified nurses, and have personally performed thousands of colonics safely and successfully between them, so you can rest assured you're in the very safest of hands.
What does colonic hydrotherapy involve?
Our therapists will start by taking your case history, followed by an explanation of the procedure.
The colonic itself will take 30-45 minutes during which time water will be gently introduced into the colon via the rectum, whilst special massage techniques are used to stimulate the release of stored matter. Your modesty is preserved at all times.
Herbal and probiotic treatments may be used and our therapists can also advise you of beneficial dietary and lifestyle changes to further enhance your treatment. No fasting or special measures are necessary prior to a first treatment but colon cleansing programmes may be advised between sessions.
Is having a colonic embarrassing?
No. You're covered by a towel or blanket during the treatment, and we make sure you don't feel uncomfortable or exposed.
It's the job of our therapists to make sure you feel relaxed and at ease, and answer any questions you have.
Furthermore, we have an en-suite toilet (actually a requirement for any clinic that is registered with the ARCH), so you don't have to leave the room at any point during treatment, and you can change and go to the toilet in complete privacy.
How large is the tube?
The waste disposal tubes we use are fitted with a speculum that is designed to fit easily and comfortably. If you've never had a colonic before, it may feel a bit odd but it isn't uncomfortable.
Some clinics claim that disposables are uncomfortable, and this is why they don't use them. These claims are highly misleading, as it's the shape and size of something that makes it uncomfortable, not whether it's disposable or not.
If you do encounter a clinic using non-disposable speculuae (which goes against the recommendation of the ARCH and other colonic hydrotherapy associations world-wide), please refer to the advice above.
I've heard other clinics claiming machine-led treatments are uncomfortable or dangerous
This is, quite bluntly, utter nonsense. The ARCH and other colonic hydrotherapy associations recommend machine-led treatments, and the pressure generated by the machine is less than a hospital enema.
Our therapists are trained and highly skilled in the use of the colonic equipment, and it's a gentle and safe procedure. Anyone claiming otherwise is scare-mongering.
Gravity-fed systems (essentially just a large tank of water with a tap and a tube on it) can also be effective when using by a skilled therapist (and are much cheaper to install), but don't provide the level of control over temperature, or ease of use, that we feel is vital to give you the best treatment.
Will one colonic completely empty the colon?
Almost never. Firstly, many of us have a considerable amount of impacted faeces in our colon. This is hardened, rubbery or wallpaper like material. Substantial work must be done to remove it.
Secondly, there is a subtle learning process involved in receiving colonics. As you become more aware of what is going on in your abdomen, and as your body learns how to allow the cleansing experience, you're better able to enter into that process, and therefore more material is released.
One colonic will remove some of the stagnant waste in the colon. The second and subsequent colonics will remove more. How many you may wish to have will depend upon your personal objectives.
It's important to remember that a colonic is not a "quick fix" for years of problems. Improving the colon function is a process that takes time and varies for everyone. While one treatment is beneficial, a minimum of two treatments is recommended. Any number of treatments recommended beyond that will be discussed on the first visit.
As each person is individual, we'll take your particular circumstances into account when you come to see us, and help you to decide when to re-book.
How much does a colonic irrigation cost? / What's the price of colonic hydrotherapy?
We charge just £60 for a 1 hour treatment, and this includes the cost of a sachet of Threelac - a high quality probiotic, to help build up the good bacteria in your gut.
Do you offer gift vouchers for colonics?
Yes, we do offer gift vouchers. These can be used for colonics, or for any treatment offered by The Nightingale Clinic.
To buy a gift voucher, either for £60 (the cost of a colonic), or any other amount from £10 to £100, please visit our buy a gift voucher page.
What areas do you cover for colonic hydrotherapy?
We have clients for colonic irrigation from:
- Northampton
- Kettering
- Wellingborough
- Rushden
- Milton Keynes
- Peterborough
- Corby
- Northamptonshire
- Bedfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- East Midlands
How to book
We can offer a wide range of dates and times, as we're open from 11am to 8pm (last appointment 7pm) Monday - Thursday, and we also do some Saturday appointments.
For more details or to book a session, please contact us either by email on or by telephone on 0845 833 6553.
NOTE: Due to the popularity of this treatment, in line with most other clinics, we do ask that you provide payment in advance for each treatment, and that you give at least 48 hours notice of any cancellation. We can accept payment by credit/debit card, as well as cash or cheque for this treatment - please ask when calling if you wish to pay over the phone.
We look forward to seeing you.
Further information
If you to know even more about colonics, there is an extensive Frequently Asked Questions page on the ARCH website, which you can find at www.colonic-association.org/faq.html.
The Nightingale Clinic
