THE words “colonic hydrotherapy” would strike fear into the hardiest of people, but the benefits of what is actually quite a painless treatment are extensive.

It has existed as a treatment for thousands of years — and Louis XIV swore by its health benefits, so I thought I’d give it a go.

I turned up for my 45-minute session with expert and owner of The Beauty Lounge, Angela Close, full of apprehension, but was soon put at ease and informed as to the procedure and the likely resulting benefits.

The treatment exercises and tones the bowel, reducing the toxic load on the body and can help with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), some conditions affecting the skin, lung and urinary tract, and, when accompanied by dietary measures, body detoxification.

Immediate benefits can include improved bowel function, clearer skin, more mental clarity and fewer headaches, as well as better sleep.

Weight problems can also improve when accompanied by recommended diet and lifestyle changes.

After filling in a health questionnaire and having everything explained to me, I was ready, and Angela carefully inserted the small speculum, which was entirely painless.

She talked me through every move, including the release of water into the colon, asking me regularly whether or not I was in pain. When I indicated that I felt any slight discomfort, water was released and, with it, gradually, undigested food which had been stuck inside flowed into and through the waste pipe.

After a while it all seemed perfectly natural and, while the situation is admittedly unusual — more so for the client than Angela — you soon find yourself conversing as if you had met in a pub.

Basically, this entirely safe treatment involves about 50 to 60 litres of filtered water per treatment, with only small amounts allowed to enter the bowel at any one time, acting to dilate the lower bowel and stimulating it to empty itself.

The water pressure is carefully controlled, as is the temperature and Angela kept a close eye on the machine throughout the procedure, as well as watching for any indications of problems.

Afterwards, I felt slightly weak, and my stomach was slightly upset, but this quickly wore off and by the following afternoon I felt lighter and already had more energy than previously.