Colon hydrotherapist Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Colon hydrotherapist

Hours

Variable
Starting salary

Variable

Colon hydrotherapists cleanse the colon of waste products and toxins. The concept of colonic cleansing can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks and is one of a number of alternative therapies.

To do this job you will need good communication and listening skills. You will need to be able to work closely with a wide range of clients. You will also need patience and understanding.

To start in this job you need to have completed a recognised training course at an approved centre.

The work

As a colon hydrotherapist, your clients could include people wanting to improve their general health and wellbeing, as well as those with certain medical conditions who want some relief from their symptoms.

You would start a session by taking details from the client about their medical history, lifestyle, diet, and any symptoms or areas of concern. You would then discuss an appropriate treatment programme with the client.

During treatment you would:

insert a tube filled with filtered water (warmed to body temperature) into the client's body
repeatedly flush the tube with water to cleanse the colon and rid the body of any waste products
massage the client's abdomen and other pressure points.

When the treatment is finished, you would follow health and safety procedures to dispose of any fluids, and prepare the room and sterilise equipment ready for your next client.

Your work may also include giving advice to clients about ways to further improve their health, diet and lifestyle. You may need to refer some clients on to doctors or other health professionals.

Hours

You are likely to need a flexible approach to your working hours to meet the needs of your clients. Sessions will take around 90 minutes.

You would typically work in private consulting rooms with access to specialist equipment.

Income

Many colon hydrotherapists are self-employed and charge an hourly rate, which can be around £40 to £75 a session. This is unlikely to be clear profit, as business costs such as rent and materials will need to be covered.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

There is no statutory regulation for colon hydrotherapists. However, the Guild of Colon Hydrotherapists (GCH), and the Association of Registered Colon Hydrotherapists (ARCH) are involved in setting and monitoring training standards.

To register with either organisation you need to complete a recognised training course at an approved centre. To get on to a course you need either:

a qualification in conventional medicine (for example, registered nurse or doctor) plus around two years' professional experience, or
a degree-level qualification in a body-based therapy (such as reiki or palm healing, chiropractic or osteopathy) including in-depth training in anatomy and physiology, plus two years' experience as a therapist.

The GCH and ARCH websites include details of approved course providers who can give further information on entry requirements.

Please see the doctor or nurse job profiles for more information.

doctor
nurse

Training and development

Once on a training programme recognised by the GCH or the ARCH, you will study subjects such as:

anatomy and physiology, focusing on the colon and digestive system
lymphatic system
nutrition, tongue analysis and iridology
cardio vascular system
muscular skeletal structure
stress management, yoga and breathing techniques
colonic procedures (assisting, then carrying out treatments)
health and safety and cleansing procedures
business management.

When you meet the required standard you will be eligible for accreditation and full membership of either the GCH or the ARCH. As a member, you would have access to a range of professional development opportunities, courses and conferences.

You could also train with the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy (I-ACT). Check the Association's website for details of course providers around the world, including the UK, who meet its standards.

Skills and knowledge

To become a colon hydrotherapist, you will need:

good communication and listening skills
the ability to work closely with a wide range of clients
patience and understanding
the ability to put people at ease
a thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology
an awareness of related health and safety practices and procedures
a genuine desire to help people
respect for privacy and an understanding of issues surrounding confidentiality.

More information

International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy (Opens new window)
www.i-act.org/

The Institute of Professional Colon Hydrotherapists (IPCH) (Opens new window)
www.ipch.org.uk

Association of Registered Colon Hydrotherapists (Opens new window)
www.colonic-association.org

Guild of Colon Hydrotherapists (Opens new window)
12 Chapel Close
Leavesden
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD25 7AR
www.colonic-association.com

Opportunities

Interest in alternative and complementary therapies has greatly increased in recent years. You could work in a variety of settings such as health and spa resorts, gyms, salons, doctor's surgeries and natural health centres. You may be able to diversify and work in other areas, such as aromatherapy and massage therapy.

To succeed, you need to be prepared to work long and flexible hours at first to build up your list of clients and establish your reputation.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:

National Health Service (NHS)
Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)

The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:

primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)

NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).

The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.

Key facts:

The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.

There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.

National and regional data

High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:

London
South East
North West

East Midlands

The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

East of England

The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

London

The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

North East

The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

North West

The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

South East

The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

South West

The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

West Midlands

The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

Yorkshire and the Humber

The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

Northern Ireland