Two Systems, Different Experiences
If you are researching colon hydrotherapy, you will quickly encounter two terms: open system and closed system. Both deliver water into the colon to facilitate cleansing, but the equipment, the experience, and the level of therapist involvement are meaningfully different. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right studio for your needs.
How a Closed System Works
A closed colon hydrotherapy system uses a tube connected to the equipment that creates a sealed circuit. Water flows into the colon and waste exits through the same tube, passing through the machine and into the plumbing. You lie comfortably on a treatment table while your therapist controls the flow rate, water temperature, and pressure.
Key characteristics of closed systems:
Your therapist is present and actively managing the session the entire time. Water pressure and volume are precisely controlled. The system is fully enclosed — minimal odor and no exposure. The therapist can observe what is leaving the colon through a viewing tube, which provides useful information about your digestive health. Single-use disposable speculums and tubing are standard.
How an Open System Works
An open system (sometimes called a LIBBE system or gravity system) uses a small, pencil-thin rectal tube. You position yourself on a specialized table that has a basin built into it. Water flows in gently via gravity, and when you feel the urge to release, you simply do — waste falls into the basin and is flushed away.
Key characteristics of open systems:
You are often alone in the room for most of the session. Water flow is gravity-driven, which means lower pressure. You control when you release waste. The tube is smaller and some clients find the insertion more comfortable. The therapist may check in periodically but is not typically present throughout.
Comparing the Two
Therapist involvement: This is the biggest practical difference. With a closed system, your therapist stays with you, monitors the session, adjusts settings in real time, and can respond immediately if you are uncomfortable. With an open system, you are largely on your own. For first-time clients especially, having an experienced therapist present can make the difference between a positive experience and an anxious one.
Thoroughness: Closed systems allow the therapist to manage water volume and pressure more precisely, which can result in a more thorough cleansing of the entire colon. Open systems rely on gravity and your body’s natural release response, which may be less thorough in a single session.
Comfort and control: Both systems allow you to communicate and stop the session at any time. Open systems give you physical control over when you release, which some people prefer. Closed systems give the therapist control over pressure, which many clients find more comfortable because they do not have to manage the process themselves.
Privacy: Open systems may feel more private because you are alone in the room. However, closed systems — especially in a private studio like SoCal Colonics — offer complete privacy as well, with the added benefit of professional guidance.
Hygiene: Both systems can be operated hygienically. However, closed systems with single-use disposables provide an additional layer of protection because there are fewer reusable components that need cleaning between clients.
Which Is Right for You?
If you value therapist expertise, precise control, and a guided experience — especially for your first few sessions — a closed system is likely the better choice. If you prefer to be alone and manage the process yourself, and you have enough experience to be comfortable with that, an open system may appeal to you.
At SoCal Colonics, we chose a closed system because it allows Jenna to provide the highest level of care, safety, and comfort for every client. Combined with single-use disposables and a private studio environment, it delivers the experience our clients expect.
Try It Yourself
The best way to understand the difference is to experience it. Book a closed-system session at SoCal Colonics and see what one-on-one, therapist-guided colon hydrotherapy feels like. Call (949) 213-5622 with any questions.