The hydrotherapy of the colon and its benefits have been known and practiced for hundreds of years dating back to ancient times. Enemas were recorded for treating constipation as early as 1500 B.C., in an Egyptian medical document called the "Eber Papyrus". Today, current practitioners recommend it for a variety of ills stemming from accumulation of fecal matter in the large intestine, a process referred to as auto-intoxication.

Some hydro-therapists believe that a colonic irrigation leads to a better overall wellness, but others claim it helps just in specific diseases, such as chronic fatigue, arthritis, and sinusitis. It is also claimed that colon hydrotherapies help to improve muscle tone in the colon, leading to stronger peristaltic contractions. Apart from this, there is reliable medical evidence that feces do not accumulate in the colon.

High colonics, like any other enema, only cleanse the last third of the colon and there is no confirmed evidence that a high colonic treatment provides any genuine benefits. Additionally, the theory of auto-intoxication has been discredited by many skeptics that also promote not the wellness but the dangers from colon hydrotherapies based in remote times when hygiene, equipment, qualified personal and ethics were different to those in the present.

Skeptics claim that dangers include infections spread through equipment, and include risk of deaths from amebiasis spread by colonics, congestive heart failure from fluid overload and several cases of death in children probably from electrolyte imbalance. Against this information, there are many organizations that promote the colon hydrotherapy and document not only the benefits but also other related topics to guarantee its effectiveness.

The practice of colonics is currently unregulated in the United States and there is no feasible system to track adverse events from the practice of colon hydrotherapy. Some health practitioners go through a voluntary certification process and The American College of Gastroenterology takes the position that in the unusual case of fecal impaction complicating chronic constipation, a 5 to 10 ounce tap water enema may be of benefit, but does not otherwise recommend directly its use. In fact, people with digestive conditions such as ulcerative colitis or other types of colitis must avoid colonics treatments or enemas, since they are considered as inappropriate and can cause colonic perforation.

Colon hydrotherapy stimulates the immune system allowing free passage of nutrients into the blood, restores pH balance to the body, prevents toxic absorption into healthy mucosa and strengthens natural muscular contractions in the colon. In a typical Colon hydrotherapy session, the client lies on a customized table in total relaxation while a small disposable speculum is gently introduced into the rectum where 25-30 gallons of warm, clean water enters into and out of the colon simulating an equivalent to 20-30 regular bowel movements.