(Translated with the permission of Mrs. Monika Poledníková, www.spektrumzdravi.cz)
10.4.2025
Hydrocolon therapy is a gentle and effective method of deep colon cleansing that promotes detoxification of the body, improves digestion and overall vitality. It helps especially with chronic constipation, bloating and fatigue. The principle of this technique is flushing of the colon (large intestine) with a controlled stream of water, helping to restore the gut microbiota (intestinal microflora). Dr. Marie Štefanová is a specialist in hydrocolon therapy. Additionally, she combines this method with a holistic approach to regeneration and health.
Dr. Marie Štefanová focuses on a holistic approach to treatment and regeneration. She studied general medicine with a specialization in internal medicine, but for decades she has also focused on natural methods. In her practice, she combines medical knowledge, gestalt therapy and other practices to help alleviate chronic conditions. She views the client as an active participant in treatment, not just a passive recipient of care. In her practice, she draws on a lifetime of study and experience from her teachers. Her goal is to stimulate the body and promote change through natural processes, not just to fix a diagnosis.
What is this hydrocolon therapy?
„Hydrocolon therapy is a modern, effective, and comfortable method of cleansing of the colon through a sealed flushing system that contributes significantly to the overall cleansing, regeneration, and even healing of the body.“
What is the main difference between hydrocolon therapy and a regular enema?
„In hydrocolon therapy, we alternate between two phases, washing (hydratation) and filling (activation) the colon with water, using abdominal massage, all being under the control of a medical device. In addition, during the filling phase, the relaxation of the bowel wall leads to the perfect dissolution and release of the adhering solid contents that slow down peristalsis. During the hydrocolon therapy, a deeper cleansing can also be used by applying medical oxygen, coffee or probiotic infusion. An enema is usually only used to reach a distance of about 30 to 40 cm from the rectum. Thus, the dissolution and release of solid adherent masses on the wall happens only in the lower part of the digestive tract. Yet enema also has its place of importance (preparation before certain surgical procedures, childbirth, lay relief for constipation, etc.).“
Why should we care about colon cleansing at all, what is it good for?
„A large body of evidence has long supported the healthy brain-gut and gut-brain axes connection as being crucial for emotional stability (mental state influenced by gut microbiota and vice versa), adequate stress response, and gut immune functioning. When the gut is not healthy and functioning properly, there are toxic substances and bacteria that adhere to the gut wall. This promotes putrefactive and fermentative processes that contribute to chronic inflammation, over-acidify the body, damage the microbiota, restrict cellular respiration and cause overall organism overload. This treatment should be undertaken by everyone as prevention, even those who feel minimally affected by indigestion. The main problem is that these long-term build-ups gradually lead to chronic disease. There are already studies available that also show a clear relationship between colon cancer and this level of intoxication caused by these substances integrated into the body.“
What health benefits can hydrocolon therapy bring?
„This procedure has a positive effect not only on the function of the colon, but also on the whole digestive system, and consequently on the function of the liver and other organs. A significant benefit is the improvement of blood and lymph circulation in the colon in particular, improving tissue oxygenation and the flushing of harmful substances from the body. Vitality and overall quality of life is improved, fundamentally so is overall hydration, long-term fatigue, over-acidification of the body, defecation and energy. In addition, blood sugar levels gradually stabilise („wolf hunger“, cravings for sweet/salty or, on the contrary, the increase in appetite in the case of those lacking appetite). Clients often report an improvement in spontaneous thirst in the case of a slight feeling of thirst. Chronic dehydration, which one is rarely aware of, is very common. As part of the recovery process, the absorption of individual nutritional components from food is improved. The body’s own production of certain vitamins (B and K) and neurotransmitters (serotonin, related to mood, and others) is improved. It helps prepare the gut for endoscopic, radiological examinations (colonoscopy, rectoscopy, abdominal sonography and the like) and before minor surgical procedures.“
Can hydrocolon therapy help with bloating or persistent constipation?
„The tendency to bloating and constipation are very often related. If it is only a digestive dysfunction with bloating without constipation, it will be corrected quite quickly after the treatments. If it is a long-term problem and a combination of bloating, a proclivity to constipation or diarrhoea, the situation is quite different. Once the long-term build-up is removed, the tendency to bloat will improve or disappear. But it can easily return as the loose intestinal wall needs to adapt to the new conditions and retract. In some specific long-term colon problems, the muscle is loosened in width and length (the so-called long colon, dolichocolon), so peristalsis is weakened. This regeneration can take months, years even with a controlled high-protein diet, to strengthen the intestinal musculature. Lifestyle changes including education regarding digestion, evacuation and diet are essential.“
I have heard that there are aesthetic benefits to hydrocolon therapy, such as improved skin or weight reduction. Is that true?
„Yes, very often skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczemas are improved or even in some cases healed due to improved hydration and overall immunity. After a complete cleanse, 1-5 kg of long-standing build-up can be removed, including parasites. Usually in similar long-term cases, we need to combine more natural treatments, or even laboratory tests. It is not a true weight loss, but the removal of long-term deposits. Stabilization of blood sugar level in relation to insulin resistance, and thus improvement of blood sugar, fat and protein metabolism will also contribute to weight reduction. Sometimes we follow up a series of these treatments with a Metabolic Balance nutritional program for the treatment of metabolic syndrome (obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes type 2, high levels of risk fats in the body with incipient fatty liver, gout, all associated with the stress axis). During treatments, clients learn how to further improve their healthy lifestyle, including an anti-fungal regimen.“
Is there any preparation for hydrocolon therapy? Is any special diet necessary before it?
„One day in advance, I recommend a ‚light diet‘ of drinking around 2.5 litres of fluids-preferably filtered ionised pure water (approximately 3.5 dcl/ 10 kg of weight), non-carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices without pulp, vegetable milks, green or fennel-caraway tea. In general, I recommend (healthy organic foods) such as lightly spiced foods, possibly coffee-espresso (not instant) without any additives (sugar, artificial sweetener, milk), vegetable broth or soup, a reasonable amount of natural carrot-apple juice, yoghurt, cottage cheese, gervais, rather mushy food (oatmeal, buckwheat, rice or potato porridge), rice or couscous. Chewing and grinding each bite in the mouth to a fine mash 20 to 30 times (even seeds and nuts), then only swallow. I do not recommend large amounts of „coloured „vegetables or juices (small ones don’t matter) like beetroot, green vegetables, tomatoes, red peppers, also charcoal and alcohol. I also do not recommend large amounts of fruit (small ones don’t matter-red, melon, and blueberries), fatty, fried, bloating or spicy foods, including fresh bread and pastries. All of these can slow the good release of the long-term accumulation of toxins, worsen the evaluation of the overall toxic load, and increase flatulence during the procedure. I recommend only drinking a very good quality water in sips two hours before the procedure.“
What exactly happens during hydrocolon therapy? Is it painful or uncomfortable?
„During the treatment, the client is lying covered on their back on a couch. There is a 3-4 cm tube inserted in the rectum that is connected to the medical device. Filtered water is used at the temperature we have in our stomach, which gradually washes away and dissolves deposits (hardened stool, toxins, dead cells, undigested and unchewed parts of food, mould). During the cleansing, the temperature, pressure and volume of water are monitored on a special medical device, making it safer than giving an enema. This treatment is accompanied by a light massage of the belly. The person feels a gentle filling of the colon with fluid and occasionally a “gentle bouncing” of detached parts of the deposits as they pass through a tube into the device. These are visible through the viewing window of the instrument, and then continue into the ordinary waste system. The sensation in the abdomen is special but not painful. A therapist is present throughout the procedure to communicate with the client and gently monitor the whole process.“
How does one feel immediately after hydrocolon therapy? Are there any immediate effects? They say you can see a nice flat stomach right away…
„The vast majority of people feel comfortable, light and with a flatter stomach after the first treatment. In the case of longer-term problems, positive changes may occur after a few treatments. There is no exact rule to how quickly the body will react to the procedure, it is highly specific.“
How long does one hydrocolon therapy treatment last and how often should it be repeated?
„I work in a health care facility, and I take each new client for an initial consultation of 1.5 hours, which consists of a medical interview, a medical examination including an abdominal and rectal examination (as the procedure has several contraindications, i.e. cases when it should not be performed). If everything is okay (which is usually 99.9% of cases), the first procedure follows. The first procedure lasts 30 minutes; each subsequent procedure lasts 40 minutes of net time. Clients benefit the most when the 3 initial treatments are done in the course of 3 days to a maximum of 10 days. Then is it possible to assess the toxic load on the colon and possibly recommend further treatments and course of action. Therefore, it is better to wait and schedule appointments well in advance than to take long breaks in between. After the first treatment, the very important process of replenishing the gut microbiota with pro-pre-biotics (a special complex of pro-pre-biotic strains for the colon) begins immediately. A healthy person without any medical problem, for preventive reasons only, usually needs 3 to 4 treatments. A healthy person with a functional load (who has medical symptoms and no health problem has been confirmed by university medical investigations), such as prolonged stress overload, fatigue, mild digestive problems, mild skin problems, usually needs 4 to 6 treatments. Then the therapist will give an assessment of „toxic colon“ and recommend ending or continuation of hydrocolon therapy and follow-up regimen. It is then up to the client to decide how to continue the recovery process. A person with chronic problems such as a long-term tendency to constipation or diarrhoea, digestive problems, fatigue, recurrent inflammation, allergies, chronic pain, skin problems, etc. usually needs between 5 and 8 treatments. It depends, of course, on other medical circumstances. The vast majority of our clients come as needed or periodically after one year.“
How long do the effects of one treatment last? Can they be supported by something, such as diet, lifestyle, etc.?
„It varies depending on whether the client is serious about their health or not. All recommendations for lifestyle changes after the procedure are tailored with an individual approach. Many clients come in with real motivation to improve or maintain good health and have been educating themselves on healthy living for a long time. And then I just fine-tune the little things. Some clients may go on to complete a series of hydrocolon therapies in a comprehensive guided detox of the digestive system (hydrocolon therapy cleanses the colon only), followed by kidney, liver and lympha according to Dr. Hulda Clark and Dr. Baldy’s concept. Of course, we respect the client’s wish to continue with any subsequent recovery.“
When it comes to colonic, what about the microbiota? Hydrocolon therapy will eliminate all the „friendly“ bacteria…
„No. It is true that we flush out some of our own friendly microflora-microbiota. But it’s at a ‘very good price’, and that’s to get rid of long-term deposits. After dissolving and flaking off these build-ups, we end up with clean patches of mucosa on the lining of the gut, i.e. without normal microbiota. So, we need to gradually regenerate the colon microbiota right from the first treatment on the newly cleaned sites. Delivering a mix of bacteria from the small intestine through peristalsis helps us to do this, as well. It is fair to say that the lining of the intestine cannot perform its function when long-term deposits occupy this space. I usually recommend pro and prebiotics for 6 weeks, unless otherwise. The gut usually helps itself to regenerate its own microbiota later on.“
And is it then necessary to take probiotics as well?
„Yes, definitely, right after the first treatment I recommend a special mix of probiotic strains aimed at regenerating the colon. It is also important whether the client comes with health problems such as food intolerance (especially gluten, lactose), histamine intolerance, SIBO (syndrome of overgrowth of intestinal microflora) or others. Then we need specific probiotic strains in the mix. We usually stop taking probiotics after 1.5 months, when our gut is helping itself.“
Can hydrocolon therapy be dangerous? Are there any health risks or side effects?
„I am not aware of any health risks or dangers from this procedure, quite the opposite. We work in the abdomen and in the ‘private intimate area’, so I think the procedure should only be performed by a person with medical experience. In terms of hygiene, we use all original equipment from the manufacturer. Every client that comes to us will have a medical interview and examination including a rectal examination. I will then decide if the procedure is suitable. In terms of unpleasant side effects, in some cases, clients with long-term loads may experience a tendency to bloating or slight fatigue for a few hours after the procedure.“
For whom is hydrocolon therapy not suitable? Are there any contraindications?
„The treatment is not suitable for people who are experiencing a very stressful period with anxiety, are being treated for psychosis, have had serious heart or kidney disease, have painful or bleeding haemorrhoids or are currently experiencing painful abdominal cramps. Caution is needed for people living with a handicap who have difficulty lying on their back for 40 minutes.“
AltheaPrague, Prague 2, Czech Republic, April 2025
Source: https://www.spektrumzdravi.cz/rozhovory/rozhovor-hydrocolon-terapie-je-klicem-k-detoxikaci-lepsimu-traveni-i-psychicke-pohode-rika-mudr-marie-stefanova