Colonic irrigation (colonic cleansing, colonic lavage)-

This treatment has been used to treat back pain based on the unsubstantiated supposition that “weakness in the intestine causes weakness of the back and makes it prone to injury” and that “the muscles of the back have nerve pathway connections to the large intestines”.   This is simply nonsense spouted by those trying to make a fast buck off of colon cleansing.  Colonic irrigation is approved by the FDA to clear the colon before surgery or for radiology exams, but not for the purposes touted for “detoxifying”.  In fact,  Dr. Ranit Mishiori published an excellent paper in the Journal of Family Practice that colon cleanses don’t do much except cause uncomfortable side effects such as severe cramping, and in some cases dangerous side effects due to perforation of the colon and introduction of bacteria.  Colonic irrigation was shown as far back as 1919 to be a scam but was reintroduced by spas seeking clients for money in the 1990s.  The reduction in bacteria due to colonic irrigation can be hazardous to the body since we need bacteria in the gut to ease digestion and voiding of waste.  Now nurses, believing having stool residing in the bowel is bad for the body (completely nonsensical) offer colonic therapy as a voodoo for those with anal fixations.

Painbytes Assessment: Two Thumbs down.  Insufficient proven benefit and certainly no scientifically validated studies for pain reduction. Has significant potential for harm.