The practice of colon hydrotherapy is recognized in the United States as an instrumentality to diagnose and treat medical conditions. Medical procedures may be performed only by an appropriately, licensed health professional acting within the scope of his or her license. In general, colonic irrigation is within the statutory scope of practice for naturopaths, physicians, and osteopathic physicians. These practitioners may delegate colon hydrotherapy to other practitioners under limited circumstances. When delegated, colon hydrotherapy must be in the scope of practice and training of the licensee performing the task.

Colon hydrotherapy is performed using devices regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Under FDA regulations, colonic hydrotherapy equipment is considered to be a medical device. The equipment must be obtained with a prescription. The FDA recognizes colonic hydrotherapy as being appropriate to evacuate the colon before radiologic or endoscopic examinations.

Safety and Efficacy

The applicants assert colon hydrotherapy is safe and effective if performed by properly trained personnel using FDA-approved equipment. Many individuals testified at the public hearing on the health benefits of the procedure.

The applicants acknowledge, however, that there are many medical conditions recognized by the FDA as contraindications for the treatment, including:

uncontrolled hypertension or congestive heart failure
aneurysm
severe anemia
gastrointestinal hemorrhage or perforation
severe hemorrhoids
renal insufficiency
cirrhosis
carcinoma of the colon
fissures or fistulas
Crohn's disease
abdominal hernia
recent colon surgery
first and third trimester of pregnancy

Colon hydrotherapy can cause adverse effects and injury if not properly administered. Frequent treatments can result in the absorption of too much water. This can lead to electrolyte imbalances in the blood, nausea, vomiting, heart failure, fluid in the lungs, abnormal heart rhythms, or coma. There is rare risk of bowl perforation, but complications are serious when this occurs. Infection can result when the equipment used is not properly cleaned or is not FDA-approved. Death and serious injury have been associated with colon hydrotherapy treatment without physician involvement.

Colonic hydrotherapy, in simple terms is the removal of entrapped waste and fecal matter from the color using warm, purified water. It does not make use of any herbal solutions or drugs and is generally painless, relaxing, and effective. Each session lasts from 30 to 45 minutes, although a complete treatment usually consists of 6 weekly sessions.

Who Needs It?

People who will surely benefit from colon hydrotherapy are those who are constantly exposed to toxins like caffeine, alcohol, smoke, drugs, chemicals, automobile exhaust, food preservatives and additives, et cetera.

A good colon cleanse can usually detoxify the body of all these waste and prevent their harmful effects on our health.

Other indications include

Stress
Bad breath
Gas
Skin disorders
Allergies
Hemorrhoids
Insomnia

Benefits

Maintaining a healthy and clean colon offers a lot of benefits like increased energy and concentration, lowered risk for bowel discomforts and diseases, clear skin and vision and an overall improvement in general well-being. Specifically, colon hydrotherapy can improve muscle tone and can facilitate normal and regular bowel movements without the discomfort. It is also an excellent bowel preparation procedure for screening tests like colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy.