Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common reasons clients come to Phenomenal Colonics seeking support. For many people living with IBS, the search for relief is a long one. Colonic irrigation is something many arrive at after years of managing symptoms that conventional approaches haven’t fully resolved. Marijke Vogel is regularly asked whether colonic irrigation can help with IBS. This article shares her honest, experience-led perspective — what it may offer, what it won’t do, and what to consider before booking.
What Is IBS and Why Is It So Difficult to Manage?
IBS — irritable bowel syndrome — is a chronic functional gut disorder. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, constipation, diarrhoea, or an unpredictable alternation between the two. It affects roughly one in five people in the UK at some point in their lives. It causes no structural damage to the bowel, yet its impact on daily life can be significant.
The NHS describes IBS as a long-term condition that comes and goes in flare-ups. Common triggers include food, stress, hormonal changes, and illness. IBS is a functional condition. The bowel behaves differently without appearing structurally abnormal, and it rarely responds to a single treatment approach. Many people find themselves managing a combination of dietary strategies, medication, and lifestyle adjustments, sometimes with limited success.
It is within this context that some clients turn to colonic hydrotherapy as a complementary option.
Can Colonic Irrigation Help IBS Symptoms?
Marijke is careful not to overstate what colonic irrigation can offer for IBS. It would be misleading to present it as a cure or a clinically proven treatment — it isn’t either of those things. What she can speak to, with confidence, is what her clients regularly report. For a significant number of people with IBS, the experience is a positive one.
Clients most commonly describe reduced bloating and abdominal discomfort after treatment. Many report a sense of physical lightness and relief from the stagnation IBS produces. Bowel movements in the days that follow often feel easier and more regular. Those whose IBS skews towards constipation frequently find that treatment provides meaningful short-term relief. Those with a more mixed or unpredictable pattern often notice calmer, more settled digestion after a session.
These are client-reported outcomes, not clinical trial results. But they are consistent. For many people with IBS, colonic hydrotherapy becomes a useful part of how they manage their condition — not a replacement for medical care, but a complementary support alongside it.
How Does Colonic Hydrotherapy Work for IBS?
Marijke uses manual, gravity-controlled colon hydrotherapy — a method that works gently and gradually, without pressure or force. Marijke introduces warm, filtered water slowly. She allows it to move carefully through the large intestine — a little at a time, in and out — rather than overwhelming it. The pace matters. She always begins slowly, particularly where gas is present, allowing the bowel to release and respond at its own rate.
For clients with IBS, this careful pace is especially important. A bowel that has been irritated or dysfunctional for some time tends to be reactive. Marijke’s slow, measured approach works with that sensitivity rather than against it. Going all the way around the large intestine is not always possible in a first session, particularly where there is significant gas or tension. Marijke will never push beyond what the body is ready for.
At the end of the session, clients use the bathroom to clear what remains before leaving. Marijke takes time afterwards to discuss what she observed during treatment. She shares her impressions of how the bowel responded. Tailored recommendations on diet, hydration, and supplements follow, relevant to each client’s individual picture.
Is Colonic Irrigation Safe If You Have IBS?
Most people with IBS tolerate colonic hydrotherapy well. Before your session, you’ll complete a detailed five-page health questionnaire, which Marijke reads carefully before you arrive. Marijke discusses any relevant points briefly before treatment begins. The conversation continues during the session itself — a genuine process of assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
There are circumstances in which colonic hydrotherapy would not be appropriate, and Marijke will always advise accordingly. Active inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are distinct from IBS and are contraindications to treatment. If you have inflammatory bowel disease, recent bowel surgery, active rectal bleeding, or prolapse, speak to your GP first. Please also let Marijke know before booking so she can advise on suitability.
If your IBS is currently in a significant flare — particularly with severe cramping or diarrhoea — contact Marijke before booking to discuss timing. A session during a very active episode may not be the most comfortable or productive starting point.
What Should You Expect at Your First Session If You Have IBS?
Many clients with IBS arrive with a degree of anxiety. This is especially true for those whose condition involves unpredictable or uncomfortable symptoms. Marijke’s approach is calm, unhurried, and entirely non-judgemental. She has worked with people managing complex digestive conditions throughout her career.
Marijke reads your questionnaire before you arrive, so she already knows your history when you come in. Marijke never rushes the session, adjusting the treatment throughout based on how things are progressing.
After treatment, you’ll use the bathroom privately before getting dressed. Most clients with IBS report feeling relieved and considerably lighter following their session, though individual experiences vary. It’s worth keeping your schedule relatively clear for the rest of the day and eating lightly beforehand. You can read more in our guide to your first colonic session.
How Many Sessions Might Be Helpful for IBS?
There’s no fixed answer, and Marijke doesn’t prescribe a course of sessions upfront. The answer depends on how your body responds to treatment and the nature of your IBS. Marijke discusses this with you at the end of the appointment.
For some clients, a single session provides the relief they were looking for. Others find that a follow-up appointment one to two months later makes sense, particularly where digestive function has been disrupted for some time. Marijke will always give you an honest recommendation based on what she observed. She never applies a blanket protocol that ignores your individual experience. You can read more about this in our guide to how many colonics you may need.
Booking a Session at Phenomenal Colonics
If you have IBS and are considering colonic hydrotherapy, the most useful next step is simply to get in touch. Marijke is happy to answer questions before you commit to a booking. The detailed health questionnaire completed before every session ensures your individual health picture is fully taken into account.
Book a session at Phenomenal Colonics or contact Marijke directly by phone or WhatsApp. The clinic is based at Balance On The Lane, 16 England’s Lane, Belsize Park, London NW3 4TG.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Colonic hydrotherapy is a complementary therapy and is not a substitute for medical treatment. If you have been diagnosed with IBS or any other bowel condition, always consult your GP or a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any new treatment.
About the Author Marijke Vogel is an ARCH-accredited colon hydrotherapist and qualified naturopath, herbalist, and iridologist with over 25 years of clinical experience. She practises at Balance On The Lane, 16 England’s Lane, Belsize Park, London NW3 4TG. CNHC registration number: CNHC04200.
