Though research is sparse, plenty of people still swear by the colonic. Before determining if this is right for you, it’s important to understand how it works and the potential risks and side effects. When going in for a colonic irrigation procedure, you can expect to disrobe and don the ever-fashionable hospital gown. You’ll lie on a treatment table, and the practitioner will begin the procedure by inserting a tube into your rectum. In many cases, up to 16 gallons of warm water is then flushed into the colon via the tube. Waste products are expelled from the colon through another tube. After the procedure, you’ll be given time to sit on the toilet and continue expelling any excess water and feces that remain in your colon. There is a chance, however, that colonics may help improve regularity and digestion, which could, in turn, affect other areas of health. While research is limited, a small study from 2016 study1 with 18 patients found that patients with IBS experienced an improvement in the severity of their abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea after a colon cleanse; however, the authors concluded that further more robust studies would be beneficial. But still, many experts are very cautious when it comes to colon hydrotherapy. “While there may be some supportive evidence in the setting of irritable bowel syndrome, these need to be confirmed in larger groups of people, and long-term impacts on symptoms and the gut microbiome need to be well assessed,” says integrative gastroenterologist Marvin Singh, M.D. “The public should be aware that the people who are administering colonics are typically not medical doctors, so their ability to make sure that something life-threatening (like colon cancer or Crohn’s disease) isn’t being missed, is limited,” says Dr. Singh. “There isn’t a whole lot of evidence to support colonics for people with certain conditions,” says Dr. Singh. “Yes, it will help remove waste from the colon, but whether or not the suggested benefits truly exist or are attainable is a matter of debate. Therefore, it is hard to give much comment on how frequently people can or should undergo colonic hydrotherapy. Every time this is performed, there is risk involved, so people should be aware of this.” In fact, a 2011 study by Georgetown University physician researchers determined that the potential side effects are dangerous enough that colonic cleansing should be avoided entirely unless medically necessary, especially for more susceptible groups like those with heart or kidney disease or compromised immune systems. The way in which colonics stir up toxins can be very harmful to those groups. Additionally, a 2010 article reviewing the claims of colon hydrotherapy from several organizations found them to be misleading and inaccurate. Even experts who support the use of colonics say you never want to do them so often that you become reliant on the procedure to go to the bathroom (which would be totally counterproductive). If you have a digestive condition like IBS and you’re still wondering if a colonic is right for you, speak with your health care provider or seek out an integrative or functional medicine doctor who is very familiar with the procedure. Because of the risks associated with colonics, you’ll want someone who can guide you toward a reputable colon hydrotherapy practitioner.
