Wellness roadtest: Colon Hydrotherapy
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Let’s talk about poo. Yep. There’s no way to sugarcoat this topic…when you’re doing a roadtest of Colon Hydrotherapy, there’s no avoiding talk of poo, and bottoms and colons. But, you know, that’s what these roadtests are about – demystifying procedures that you’ve perhaps often wondered about, but have been too uncertain to try.
Colon Hydrotherapy – or, as you may know it, colonic irrigation – has been on my ‘to try’ list for the last couple of years. And although it may seem to be one of the latest trends, the earliest use of this effective treatment was back in Ancient Egypt, in the time of Cleopatra, where is was commonly used to increase energy, health and enhance beauty. So, this is no flash in the pan thing.
But back to the roadtest. Why was I so keen to try it? Well, without getting too far into ‘TMI’ territory, my bowel is sluggish…partly genetics, partly me not drinking nearly enough water, and probably also from years of being not treated too well in my early 20s when I suffered from an eating disorder. But until recently, there was nowhere in Canberra that performed the procedure…so when Shahnee Froome from Authentix in Dickson invited me to ‘roadtest’ Colon Hydrotherapy, I was there quicker than you could say ‘faecal plaque and toxins’.
So what does Colon Hydrotherapy do? Basically, it claims to cleans your colon, assist to detox and reduce digestive discomfort.
According to Shahnee, it “helps to remove waste material that your body may not be removing effectively. This procedure results in a healthy digestive environment, which encourages the growth of healthy bacteria and the flow of waste to be eliminated effectively.”
Why not just eat lots of fruit and vegetables, and maybe take the odd probiotic? Well, for some of us (like me) it’s not that simple.
“Every day our digestive systems are overworked and sluggish due to overeating, medications, fast foods, processed and genetically modified foods, toxins, alcohol consumption and stress,” says Shahnee.
“These factors contribute to many Australians suffering from poor digestion which can result in symptoms such as excessive gas, bloating or constipation.”
Shahnee tells me that she got into it when she lived in Melbourne, and would regularly have colonics because they made her feel more energised – body and mind. When she moved to Canberra six years ago, she wanted to introduce the ‘closed system’ (google it) technology here. But this is a serious undertaking – there were many hoops to jump through and ACT Health clearances to pass – so it’s only recently that the salon has offered the service…the only one of its kind in the ACT.
Ok, so now to the nitty gritty. It’s normal to be a teensy bit nervous about someone popping a tube up your bottom and flushing water through it. It’s also normal to be embarrassed. But you shouldn’t be. It’s all very discreet and Shahnee is at pains to make you feel relaxed. This is what you can expect to happen.
You’ll be ushered into a treatment room which looks much like any other beauty treatment room – except for the anatomical drawings of your digestive tract on the wall. This one has a toilet adjoining it, like your own ensuite. At the end of the vinyl-covered table (like a normal ‘waxing table’) is a rather complicated looking contraption with hoses and dials…this is the HAB Hermann Hydromat, a top of the line German built machine.
You’ll be able to use the bathroom to remove your ‘bottom half’ and wrap a towel around your waist, and then make yourself comfortable on the table. Shahnee sits beside you, and will ask you to roll onto your left side while she gentle inserts a single use, disposable speculum into your rectum. It feels a bit odd – like your rectum is ‘full’ (which, well, it kinda is) but it’s not at all painful.
A waste hose and a water inlet hose are attached to the speculum and then attached to the machine. Shahnee gently introduces warm filtered water into the colon and ‘fills and releases’ when your body is ready to do so. This action results in the colon being washed out, ridding it of built up toxic waste materials.
Shahnee will gently massage your stomach, encouraging any blockages on their way. If you’re the curious type, you can have a peek at what’s coming out…or you can do as I did, and just lay back and enjoy having your tummy rubbed. I would make a rather excellent pet.
As the water fills your colon, you’ll feel a sensation much like you do when you ‘need to go’…again, there’s no pain or discomfort. It’s all very gentle. When your session is finished, the machine chimes (kinda like a doorbell, but don’t worry – no one is knocking on your back door, so to speak) and you’re able to move to the toilet to get yourself sorted.
Once you’re redressed, it’s out to the reception area, where Shahnee will be waiting with a Hydralate and a probiotic, and some guidelines for the next 24 hours or so (no alcohol if you can avoid it, and lots of water.)
Does it work? It’s very much an individual thing, but I’ve signed up for a few more sessions. I’ll try anything that gets things ‘moving’.
The essentials
What: Colon Hydrotherapy
Where: Authentix, 1B/20 Challis Street, Dickson
How much: Your first colonic is $140 and subsequent treatments are $120 (Authentix offers three and six packaged sessions at a discounted rate).
Book: 6257 1886 or info@authentix.com.au
Web: www.authentix.com.au
DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for diagnosis or treatment rendered by a licensed physician. This is a personal account of the author’s experience only. Before having a colonic irrigation treatment, we encourage you to do your research and/or consult your GP. The author received her treatment free of charge.
Photo of woman’s belly with hands in the shape of a heart from shutterstock.com
