Good People Doing Good For Our Community

(03) 9380 8099

1/68 Melville Road, Brunswick Melbourne

Closed Colonic Hydrotherapy – Irrigation

 

Colonic Irrigation

Question……. if someone has not had a bowel movement for a number of days, has mild abdominal pain, has been feeling tired, feels bloated and has nausea accompanied by vomiting is this patient suffering from early stages of bowel obstruction or is this a simple case of chronic constipated? If you can’t answer this question with certainty, think twice about attending a DIY open colonic centre!

 

We are often asked what’s the difference between an Open & Closed colonic system. This is a great question and one that deserves to be explained in detail because they are worlds apart and it could make all the difference in terms of what you choose for yourself once you have all the facts!

Having a clear understanding will help you make the right choice as you want to compare apples with apples not apples with oranges. Just to be clear, at Brunswick Health we only offer “Closed Colonics” and after you read our reasons you will understand why we have chosen only this option. So let’s get started…….

 

What is the difference between an “Open” and “Closed” Colonic System?

 

CLOSED COLONIC SYSTEM

  • A Closed colonic is a practitioner assisted making the whole process less daunting, less stressful and more effective.
  • Our colonic therapists are all certified, experienced and insured.
  • Our colonic therapists explain the entire procedure and discuss your medical history in detail prior to treatment to identify any contraindications.
  • Abdominal massage is performed throughout the procedure to assist in releasing stubborn matter firmly adhered to the wall of the colon. The pressure is adjusted to your comfort levels.
  • The digestive system is explained in relation to your health and all your questions are answered.
  • Hot and Cool temperatures are often alternated to “exercise” the colon. This helps to stimulate and tone the colon.
  • Our colonic therapists will identify and explain the different types of faecal matter and undigested food. They will also comment on the general hydration and health of the colon.
  • Should our colonic therapists observe any suspicious faecal matter that could possibly indicate parasites or their eggs, they will discuss what further stool sample testing is appropriate.
  • The viewing tube is set at a comfortable eye level, essential for detection and diagnosis.
  • Treatment can be interrupted and adjusted at any time to ensure client comfort.
  • Abdominal pain is rarely experienced as the colonic therapist carefully monitors and changes to the water pressure to reduce any sudden build-up causing unnecessary bowel distension resulting in abdominal pain. Abdominal cramping may be felt whilst the bowel muscles are contracting which does help the toning of the bowel muscles, so a necessary process that is easily adjusted by the therapist to suit your comfort levels.
  • Duration of treatment is usually 30-45 minutes and usually, a full evacuation is achieved in this time with practitioner expertise and assistance. For our more congested & dehydrated clients, it may take a number of treatments to achieve this level of clearance.
  • No Noise, No Odour and No Mess as it is a “Closed”  Colonic System meaning all faecal matter is removed via a disposable tube from your body directly into the sewerage system. It passes through the colonic machine where faecal matter can be inspected via the viewing tube for diagnostic purposes. Faecal matter is fully contained and transported hygienically avoiding any direct exposure. It is gently released from your body with the aid of gravity, gentle water pressure and abdominal massage.
  • There is no vacuum or use of suction as some unscrupulous open colonics centres will have you believe.
  • When you have a qualified colonic therapist on hand you are receiving a consultation in combination with a procedure not just the procedure on its own. Professional advice is freely given to enhance and promote good colon health. Depending on what they detect, the therapist may recommend and refer you for a PCR faecal multiplex (generally via your GP) or in some cases a CDSA (Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis) where a functional pathology lab assesses your stool in microscopic detail.
  • It is always safer and more effective to have a qualified professional in attendance with you at all times to adjust the settings as the build-up of pressure can occur rapidly, especially in heavily compacted bowels.
  • We provide information as to how to better prepare yourself before your colonic to get the best results.
  • The feedback we often receive from our clients is they would not return to an “open” system once they experience the results and overall care from a closed colonic system.

 

OPEN COLONIC SYSTEM

  • A therapist may or may not be in attendance with you as each centre varies so best to check and also ask if they will be present 100% of the time as most “Open” colonic centres won’t offer this level of personalised professional care.
  • Often you are given instructions and then left on your own to perform your speculum insertion.
  • You are generally expected to “lower” yourself onto a hard rectal speculum that is firmly attached to the table so this can be awkward and potentially uncomfortable as there is less flexibility with the angle of the speculum. This means the angle you are able to position yourself may result in a painful insertion if done incorrectly.
  • Incorrect insertion of the rectal speculum can potentially scrape or damage the rectal wall. It is a safety issue that becomes riskier if polyps or other growths are present and perhaps undetected. A proctologist or a gastroenterologist doesn’t allow you to self-insert rectal speculums, so you can safely assume it’s best clinical practice to allow a professional to assess and assist in such delicate matters.
  • There is noise, smell and mess as it is an “Open”  Colonic System. This means the faecal matter is released directly onto the table’s moulded catchment area not unlike an open sewerThis all occurs while you lie on the table.
  • Faecal matter exposed to the environment makes contamination a real possibility. 
  • The colonic table’s built-in faecal catchment area is shallow making splash-back a real possibility and as it is a fixed part of the table, it is not disposable hence all clients use it.
  • Some clinics “hose down” the colonic table, increasing the risk of splashing all surrounding surfaces. It is very difficult to contain bacteria in these circumstances. 
  • Bacteria need careful handling and management using expensive hospital-grade disinfectants so best to check they follow these cleaning protocols and ask to view the type of disinfectant they use.
  • The colonic machine is set for approximately 45 mins and doesn’t allow for changes in water temperature or various techniques a colonic therapist can tailor specifically for the body’s changing responses on the day. This set program may not be the best match for everybody’s bowel condition. A heavily compacted colon will have different needs to one less compacted.
  • If cramping or severe pain occurs during the procedure there is no immediate help if the therapist is not in direct attendance. The response time for an attendant to reach you will vary from centre to centre but this can be stressful. This is avoided in the closed system practice as your therapist is with you the whole treatment.
  • The therapist may not necessarily have any training in colonic hydrotherapy so best to check this fact before booking any colonic hydrotherapy sessions.
  •  Abdominal massage is not usually provided unless stated, so best to check.
  • An unfamiliar procedure can be stressful and full of apprehension without professional guidance.
  • You will not really understand what you are releasing and what it means to your health which is why it is important to have a trained colonic hydrotherapist to interpret the results. For example, when releasing a yellow-like bile substance you need to understand what it means and how to prepare yourself whilst your body undergoes a rapid detox. You may even release suspicious-looking matter that may indicate the presence of parasites that will go undetected to an untrained eye.
  • Often the viewing tube is on the ground making the process of detection even more difficult as the speculum is firmly attached to the table and you are required to lean over a table to view the tube whilst still attached to the speculum. This restricts movement and may even cause a degree of internal scraping from the speculum as you twist on the table to view the results on the ground.
  • It is cheaper for a colonic business to operate an “open”  system as they are not paying professional fees to have a qualified colonic hydrotherapist in attendance during the whole process unless they have stipulated this. When you consider the fees charged for an open DIY service, it offers much less overall value as often they are only marginally cheaper than a closed colonic system. So before you make any decisions, make sure you are comparing apples with apples not apples with oranges!

It is our opinion a  Closed Colonic System is safer and offers “best practices”. It has also been our experience that once people have experienced a “Closed” system they do not return to an “Open” system.

At our clinic, a comprehensive Health Questionnaire is completed to identify any contraindications or possible health risks. During the initial consultation, all questions are answered and the procedure is explained. You are provided with a private changing room with an ensuite as well as a change of clothing items. Your modesty is a priority and respected at all times and you remain covered 98% of the time. Our aim is to deliver safe and effective colonics in a relaxed hygienic environment delivered by accredited practitioners.

In London 6,000 colonic hydrotherapy procedures occur every month, and there is only 1 “Open Colonic” Clinic (at the time of writing this article),  all the rest are “Closed Colonic” Clinics.  Sydney has followed the London model. In Melbourne, we have an unusual ratio of more “Open” rather than “Closed” colonic clinics. 

At Brunswick Health our priority is to provide the best care possible and to achieve this, we thoroughly review your medical history, discuss your clinical findings, liaise with your medical doctors should we need to and never leave you unattended during a medical procedure.