Frequently Asked Questions

Colon hydrotherapy, also known as colonic irrigation or colon cleansing, is a safe and controlled procedure that uses warm, filtered water to gently cleanse the large intestine. The process involves introducing water at a low pressure to help soften and dislodge accumulated waste, gas, and toxins from the colon, which are then naturally expelled from the body.

Beyond its cleansing effects, colon hydrotherapy also plays a supportive role in rehydrating the colon and stimulating its natural muscular contractions—known as peristalsis. Over time, this can help improve bowel tone and regularity, encouraging more efficient and complete eliminations.

Many clients report feeling lighter, clearer, and more energised following treatment. At Glow Colonics, we use a modern open system that offers privacy, comfort, and full client control throughout the session. Whether you’re managing digestive discomfort, starting a detox, or simply looking to support your overall wellbeing, colon hydrotherapy offers a gentle and effective reset for your digestive system.

The treatment takes place in a private room where you’ll lie comfortably on our open system bed. A small, disposable tube is gently self-inserted just a few centimetres into the rectum. Once you’re settled, gravity-fed, temperature-controlled water flows gently into the colon to help soften and release waste.

As your body eliminates naturally, the waste and water are carried away through a built-in drainage system—odour-free and discreet. You remain in control throughout the session, and your therapist will be nearby if you need assistance, while still respecting your privacy.

The session usually takes around 45 minutes, and many clients leave feeling lighter, clearer, and deeply cleansed.

Preparing for your colonic is simple. Stay well hydrated, choose light, easy to digest foods such as soups or steamed vegetables beforehand, and allow yourself plenty of time to arrive without feeling rushed. Gentle movement, like a short walk, can help stimulate your digestive system. Most importantly, come with an open mind — your therapist will guide you through the process with care.

Whatever you’re comfortable in is perfect — just keep in mind it’s easiest if you wear something that can be removed from the waist down. You’ll remain covered with a towel at all times to protect your modesty and help you feel relaxed.

Your safety, comfort, and hygiene are our highest priorities. We use a modern open system that is designed to provide a treatment that is both gentle and clean. All equipment is single-use and disposable, and our treatment rooms are thoroughly sanitised between each client.

Before your first appointment, you’ll complete a detailed contraindication form to help us ensure that colon hydrotherapy is a safe and appropriate option for you. If any concerns are identified, we will take the time to discuss them with you and explore the most suitable ways to support your health.

Throughout your treatment, your comfort and sense of control remain central. If at any point you feel uncertain or wish to pause, the process is entirely guided by you.

Most clients find the treatment comfortable and well tolerated. Mild feelings of fullness, pressure, or cramping may occur as the colon fills and releases, similar to the natural sensations of a bowel movement.

The degree of physical response can vary depending on the level of stagnation, congestion, and toxicity present in the colon. In some cases, individuals with a higher accumulation of waste material may notice increased pressure or transient discomfort as stored waste and toxins begin to mobilise and clear from the body. These effects are generally mild and short lived.

Throughout your treatment, your comfort and wellbeing are our priority. We remain close by to monitor your response and adjust the process as needed.

After your treatment, it’s common to feel lighter, clearer, and more energised. Some clients also experience mild bloating, cramping, or a sense of tiredness as the body continues to adjust and eliminate waste — this is completely normal and usually resolves within a short time.

We recommend staying well hydrated, choosing light, nourishing meals, and giving yourself space to rest if needed. Every body responds differently, and our team is here to support you if you have any questions following your session.

While a single session can help release a significant amount of waste, it’s unlikely to completely empty the colon. The colon is about 1.5 metres long and can hold a surprising amount of material built up over time. Most people benefit from a series of treatments to achieve a deeper cleanse and better long-term results. Your therapist can help guide you on what’s best for your individual needs.

The number of colon hydrotherapy sessions recommended can vary depending on your individual needs, goals, and current state of digestive health.

For general detoxification and maintenance of gut health, a series of 3 treatments over a 7–10 day period is often recommended initially. This allows for deeper cleansing of the colon, as each session can reach progressively further through the large intestine.

If you are addressing specific concerns such as chronic constipation, bloating, or slow gut motility, a more tailored program may be suggested — typically 5 to 10 treatments spaced weekly or biweekly, alongside dietary and lifestyle support.

After your initial series, maintenance treatments every 4 to 8 weeks can help support ongoing digestive wellness, depending on your lifestyle and health goals.

At your first appointment, we will discuss your health history, goals, and symptoms, and I will guide you on a personalised treatment plan to support your best outcomes.

Absolutely not! Colon hydrotherapy will not make your bowel lazy or dependent. Instead, it works to hydrate the colon and gently stimulate the natural muscular movements that support healthy elimination. Rather than weakening your digestive system, colonics can help to retrain and strengthen normal bowel function, particularly if sluggishness has developed over time. When paired with good hydration, a nourishing diet, and healthy habits, colonics can play a valuable role in restoring natural, independent regularity.

No, colon hydrotherapy does not strip away all of your good bacteria. The treatment primarily helps to clear waste, gas, and harmful substances that may be disrupting the balance of your gut environment.

While some bacteria — both beneficial and harmful — are flushed during the cleansing process, the colon is a living system that constantly regenerates its microbiome. By removing built-up waste and reducing harmful bacterial overgrowth, colonics can actually help create a healthier environment where good bacteria can thrive.

Supporting your microbiome through hydration, a nutrient-rich diet, and probiotic foods after your session is a beautiful way to enhance this natural rebalancing process.

Colon hydrotherapy may not be suitable if you have certain health conditions, such as active inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), recent bowel surgery, uncontrolled hypertension, severe cardiac conditions, gastrointestinal bleeding, severe anemia, abdominal hernias, or if you are currently pregnant.

Before your first session, we’ll complete a thorough health screening to ensure the treatment is safe, appropriate, and tailored to support your individual needs.

Colon hydrotherapy primarily supports digestive health, but many clients also report additional benefits. By assisting the body’s natural detoxification processes, treatments may help to reduce systemic congestion, improve skin clarity, enhance energy levels, and support a greater sense of overall wellbeing. While experiences vary from person to person, colon hydrotherapy can be a valuable part of maintaining internal balance and promoting better health over time.

Colon hydrotherapy supports the body’s natural detoxification processes by directly assisting in the elimination of accumulated waste, gas, and toxins from the large intestine. Over time, factors such as poor diet, stress, dehydration, and sluggish digestion can lead to waste becoming impacted along the colon walls. When waste remains stagnant, it can ferment and putrefy, producing gases and toxins that may be reabsorbed into the bloodstream — a process known as autointoxication. This places an additional burden on the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, and skin, all of which work to eliminate toxins from the body.

By introducing warm, purified water into the colon in a controlled and gentle manner, colon hydrotherapy helps to hydrate the tissue, soften hardened waste, and encourage its safe release. As this material clears, a gentle “vacuum effect” occurs, stimulating further elimination and movement higher up in the digestive tract. This process not only clears congestion but also helps to reawaken, strengthen, and retrain the natural muscular contractions of the colon.

While colon hydrotherapy is not a replacement for the body’s own detoxification systems, it can be a valuable tool for relieving stagnation, reducing toxic load, and restoring balance. Many people report feeling lighter, clearer, and more energised after treatment, especially when colon hydrotherapy is combined with healthy lifestyle practices such as hydration, nourishing nutrition, and mindful movement.