No special preparation is necessary for a colonic treatment, although large meals and lots of fluids are not advised. The first appointment includes taking your case history, explaining the procedure and the treatment itself.

After the case history is taken a brief rectal exam must be carried out, then a speculum is introduced 1.5inches (4cm) to open the sphincter. An inlet and outlet tube is attached to the outside of the speculum, so the system is open, with water going in and water and waste out. The waste is piped away.

About 60 litres of filtered water are used per treatment, but only small amounts are allowed to enter the bowel at any one time, acting to dilate the lower bowel, stimulating the bowel to empty itself. The water pressure is carefully controlled and is in fact lower than is normally generated during a bowel movement.