The things people ask

Colon hydrotherapy, also called a colonic, is a gentle rinse of the large intestine using warm, filtered water. At Luam Center for Wellness it is offered as a wellness and comfort service. It is not a medical procedure, it is not a treatment for any medical condition, and it is not a screening for anything. Sessions use the Wood Gravitational System: water flows in under gravity rather than pressure, at a rate the therapist controls by hand, and unlike an enema there is nothing to hold or retain.

At Luam Center for Wellness, 738 E 31st St, Brooklyn, NY 11210. Marie Dauphin, a colon hydrotherapist certified by the Wood Hygienic Institute, sees clients there by appointment only. Call the office at (718) 559-0298 or the cell at (718) 755-0813, or send a request from the Contact page.

Marie Dauphin is the therapist at Luam Center for Wellness in Brooklyn, NY: an experienced colon hydrotherapist, certified by the Wood Hygienic Institute. She sees clients by appointment, and sessions begin with a conversation, not paperwork handed to you on a clipboard. Marie is not a physician and does not diagnose or treat medical conditions. If something you describe belongs with a doctor, she will tell you so.

Sessions are by appointment only. Call (718) 559-0298, or send a message from the Contact page and Marie will find a time with you. If it is your first visit, please say so, so she can allow extra time for the intake conversation. Please do not include detailed medical information in the form; that is covered in person.

It starts with a short intake conversation about your health history and what brings you in, which is also where anything that means a session is not appropriate for you is flagged. You then rest on a padded table, properly draped. A sterile, single-use speculum is gently inserted, and warm filtered water flows in and out at a low rate under Marie’s direct control; water and waste leave through a closed evacuation line. Marie may apply light abdominal massage. She stays with you throughout, and you can ask her to slow, pause, or stop at any moment. Afterwards there are a few minutes to sit, some water, and straightforward guidance on eating and hydrating for the rest of the day.

Most people find it comfortable. Some feel mild cramping or a sensation of fullness as water flows in — it usually passes quickly. Marie controls the flow throughout and will slow or stop whenever you ask.

Marie will give you a time when you book. Allow a little longer for a first visit, since it begins with a conversation.

This is the question people most want to ask and least want to say out loud. You are draped the entire time, waste leaves through a closed line, and nothing happens until you say you are ready.

There is no set number, and we do not sell a fixed protocol. Some people come once out of curiosity; others come periodically. Marie will talk with you about what makes sense rather than putting you on a schedule.

For most healthy adults it is well tolerated, but it is not appropriate for everyone. Please read who should not have a session before booking, and talk to your doctor if you are being treated for anything.

Some conditions make colon hydrotherapy inappropriate or unsafe. Please tell Luam Center before booking, and get written clearance from your doctor, if any of these apply: pregnancy; any inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis; diverticulitis, or a history of it; rectal or gastrointestinal bleeding, fissures, fistulas, or severe hemorrhoids; recent bowel, rectal, or abdominal surgery; colon or rectal cancer, or a current investigation for it; an abdominal hernia or aneurysm; serious heart, kidney, or liver disease, a recent heart attack, or uncontrolled high blood pressure; severe anemia; or any current abdominal pain you have not had looked at. This list is not exhaustive. If you are being treated for anything at all, or taking regular medication, talk to your doctor first. Marie may decline a session, or ask you to come back with clearance.

No. Colon hydrotherapy is not a screening or diagnostic test and cannot detect or rule out any disease. It is not a substitute for a colonoscopy or any other test your doctor recommends, or for care you are already receiving. If you have symptoms (bleeding, persistent pain, a change in your bowel habits), please see a doctor, and please do not book a session instead of that appointment.

Eat lightly on the day, and leave a couple of hours between your last meal and your appointment. Drink water normally through the day, and wear something loose and comfortable. Bring a list of any medications and any relevant medical history; if you have a condition listed under who should not have a session, bring your doctor’s clearance. Your First Visit has the full details.

Possibly — rinsing the colon can temporarily disturb the normal balance of gut flora. It is one of several reasons we do not recommend frequent sessions.

No. Any immediate change on the scale is water and waste, not fat, and we do not offer this as a weight-loss service.

No. Colon hydrotherapy is a wellness service and is not covered by insurance.

Mild tiredness or slightly irregular bowel habits for a day are common. Contact your doctor promptly for severe or lasting pain, bleeding, vomiting, dizziness, or fever.