Conditions
Constipation
Reviewed by our qualified colonic hydrotherapists — naturopaths and allied health practitioners, including ATMS, ANTA and MAA members
Last updated
Constipation — infrequent, difficult or incomplete bowel movements — is one of the most common reasons clients come to see us. It’s rarely a single-cause problem, and for most people it responds well to a combination of dietary, lifestyle and, where appropriate, colonic support.
What contributes to constipation
Low fibre intake, inadequate hydration, reduced physical activity, certain medications, stress and simply ignoring the urge to go are all common contributors. For some people it’s an occasional, situational problem (travel, a change in routine); for others it’s a longer-standing pattern that’s become uncomfortable and hard to shift.
What colonic hydrotherapy does
A closed-system colonic session uses warm, filtered water to gently soften and clear retained waste from the colon, which many clients find brings noticeable relief where diet and lifestyle changes alone haven’t been enough. It isn’t a substitute for addressing the underlying contributors, though — your practitioner will usually talk through fibre, hydration and movement alongside your session, since these are what make results last.
What your therapist checks before your session
Some patterns warrant proper investigation before any colonic: constipation that’s new and persistent in someone over 50, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, severe abdominal pain, or constipation alternating with diarrhoea. Your therapist is trained to recognise these, screens for them before every session, and will talk you through what should happen next.
Chronic constipation without those features is a different matter, and it does not need to start with a GP. It is one of the most common things people see a naturopath for — transit time, fibre and fluid, magnesium, thyroid function and the medications that slow the bowel — and the naturopaths here can arrange the pathology to see which of those is actually at play. That pathology goes through a private laboratory and is paid directly to it, without a Medicare rebate.
Where the findings point to something needing a specialist, we refer you to your GP with a letter of findings and recommendations.
What to expect
Most clients notice some relief within the first session, though a short course is often recommended if constipation has been ongoing for a while. We’ll also talk through what to eat and drink in the days afterward to support your bowel’s own rhythm — see what to expect at your first visit for the full walkthrough.
Related support
Constipation is one of the conditions our probiotic and alkalising greens infusions are most often paired with, and it frequently overlaps with bloating and sluggish digestion — worth reading if either sounds familiar too.
Infusions often chosen
Options often paired with constipation
Frequently asked questions
Will one colonic fix chronic constipation?
Not usually on its own. A single session can bring welcome short-term relief, but ongoing constipation is often shaped by diet, hydration, movement and stress, so lasting change generally comes from a short course of sessions alongside those broader habits — your practitioner will talk through a realistic plan at your first visit.
Is it normal to have several bowel movements in the days after a colonic?
Yes, this is common and usually settles within 24–48 hours as the bowel rehydrates and returns to its usual rhythm. Staying well hydrated and eating fibre-rich foods afterward helps this along.
Does colonic irrigation help with constipation?
It's the reason most people book, and relief of the immediate backlog is the effect clients report most consistently. What it doesn't do is address why you became constipated — so it tends to work best as a reset alongside changes to fibre, fluid, movement and medication review, rather than as the whole answer.
What should I try before booking a colonic for constipation?
Water intake, dietary fibre, regular movement and a review of any constipating medications are all worth working through first, and that is everyday naturopathic work. The naturopaths here will go through it with you and address the cause rather than the symptom. If that resolves it without a colonic, that is a good outcome.
When does constipation need investigating rather than a colonic?
Tell us before booking if constipation is new or has changed noticeably, or if it comes with rectal bleeding, unintended weight loss, persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, or a family history of bowel cancer — those need investigating first. Ordinary chronic constipation is everyday naturopathic work and can be looked into here, with pathology arranged through a private laboratory and paid directly to it. A colonic diagnoses nothing, and it should never be the reason an investigation gets delayed.
Ready to book your appointment?
No referral needed. Book online 24/7, or call reception.
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