What is colon hydrotherapy?
Colon hydrotherapy is an alternative medical procedure for flushing the colon. It is aimed at clearing the colon of stool residues that are stuck. According to naturopathic ideas, such blockages in the colon can be related to certain diseases. Therapists therefore use colon hydrotherapy in the following cases, for example:
- Acne
- Allergies
- rheumatism
- migraine, headache
- fungal infections in the intestine
- chronic constipation
- chronic diarrhea
- flatulence
- depression
- for purification
Flushing the colon with warm water is designed to eliminate stool blockages and the toxins they are thought to create from the body, relax the intestinal muscles, and cleanse the intestinal flora of harmful bacteria.
As a rule, colon hydrotherapy is not performed once, but in several sessions. The number of them depends mainly on the type and extent of the symptoms.
How does colon hydrotherapy work?
The colonic irrigation can loosen fecal residues, which are then expelled from the body along with the fluid via a second tube. Colon hydrotherapy thus works as a closed system – unlike the conventional enema, in which the introduced water is excreted naturally. Therefore, there are no unpleasant odors associated with colon hydrotherapy.
What risks and side effects can it have?
This particular form of colon irrigation is not scientifically approved, as its effectiveness has not been proven. In addition, colon hydrotherapy can lead to side effects, some of which are severe, for example:
- Destruction of the natural bacterial intestinal flora
- Circulatory weakness
- Shifts in electrolyte balance (salt-water balance)
- Infections due to the introduction of germs
- Injuries of the intestinal wall, intestinal bleeding
“Forbidden” (contraindicated) is colon hydrotherapy in patients with heart disease, after intestinal surgery, and during pregnancy.
Colon hydrotherapy: costs
In Switzerland, therapists generally charge a three-digit amount (CHF) for a colon hydrotherapy session. For patients with supplementary insurance for complementary medicine, these costs are usually (partially) covered.
In Austria, a three-digit euro amount can usually be expected for a colon hydrotherapy session. In general: Private health insurances partially cover the costs for complementary or alternative healing methods such as colon hydrotherapy.
If you are interested in colon hydrotherapy, you should ask your health insurance company in advance whether and to what extent they would cover the costs.