Open vs closed systems: know what you’re signing up for

When you book a colon cleanse in Melbourne, most clinics will offer either an open system or a closed system. On the surface, both aim to achieve the same goal: cleansing the colon, but the way they feel can be completely different.

Think of it like the difference between:

• A semi-automated, private setup where you’re in control (open), and
• A more clinical, therapist-operated setup (closed).

Let’s unpack both.

What is a closed colon cleanse system?

In a closed system, most of what happens is controlled by the therapist. 

What it usually involves:

1. You lie on a treatment table, typically on your side or back.

2. The therapist gently inserts a larger speculum (a short tube) into the rectum. This is connected to both the inflow (warm filtered water) and the outflow (waste tubing).

3. The therapist controls:

• When water flows in
• When it stops
• When the outflow is opened to let waste and water exit

4. The therapist remains in the room for the entire session, monitoring your responses and making adjustments as needed.

How it feels, in practice:

1. Some people like the sense that “someone else is handling everything” and feel reassured by constant supervision.

2. Others find:

• The speculum size is more noticeable or uncomfortable
• The constant presence of a therapist is discomforting
• The experience is somewhat clinical, like a medical procedure rather than a private wellness session

What is an open colon cleanse system?

In an open system, the setup is designed to provide more privacy and physical control, with the therapist positioned nearby rather than hovering over you.

What it usually involves:

1. You lie on a specially designed table, known as a “basin bed,” with a built-in opening under your buttocks.

2. A small, pencil-thin nozzle is self-inserted a short way into the rectum.

3. Water flows in gently at a low, steady rate.

4. When your body is ready to release, you simply let go. Waste and water exit through the opening and drain away through piping, without you needing to get up.

5. The therapist:

• Explains everything at the start
• Checks in on you periodically
• Adjusts settings if needed
• Is nearby for help, but not standing over you the entire time

How it feels, in practice:

• The nozzle is much smaller, which most people find significantly more comfortable.
• Because you self-insert and control when you release, it feels normal, manageable, and easy for regular users and beginners.
• You can often relax, breathe, and take a more active role in the session (listening to your body’s signals, letting go in your own time).

Pros people often mention:

• More privacy – you’re not constantly observed
• More body autonomy – you choose when to release, you signal if you want help
• The smaller nozzle is usually easier for first-timers or those who are nervous
• You can communicate with the therapist when you choose, rather than throughout

Things to be aware of:

• You’re more involved – it’s not a “lie there and be passive” experience
• You need to be comfortable communicating if anything feels off
• Good design and therapist guidance still matter a lot – not all open systems are equal

Thinking about a colon cleanse in Melbourne? Start by asking the right questions.

A colon cleanse (often called colon hydrotherapy, colonic irrigation, or simply colonics) is a gentle treatment that uses warm, filtered water to help your bowels empty more fully. You lie comfortably in a private room while a small tube is inserted into your rectum, and water flows in slowly. As your body lets go, the water carries out built-up waste, allowing you to finish the session feeling lighter, less bloated, and more comfortable than after a regular bathroom visit.

If you’re in Melbourne and searching for a colon cleanse, you’re not short of options. A quick search throws up:

• Cheap “detox” packages
• Fancy spa-style clinics with mood lighting but lack in substance
• Big promises about how a colon cleanse can transform your life

The problem? They all sound confident and “therapeutic” on their websites.

The real difference usually lies in how they operate: the system they use, how seriously they take hygiene, what kind of training the staff have, and whether they follow sensible guidelines instead of just “wellness trends”.

Here are the factors to consider before booking an appointment anywhere in Melbourne.

Which system is “better”?

There isn’t a universal “better” – there is only what suits your body and personality.

However, some patterns are common:

• People who value privacy, gentleness and minimal invasiveness tend to prefer open systems.
• People with disabilities or with medical support may need involved guidance from a therapist, and hence, a closed system may work better.

At our centre in Armadale, we’ve chosen to use an open system because, over the years, we’ve seen that it offers the best fit for most Melbourne clients.

Cheap vs considered: what’s behind the price?

Melbourne has everything from “intro offers” that are suspiciously cheap to premium clinics that charge more per session.

Price on its own doesn’t tell you everything, but extreme cheapness can be a red flag. A very low price usually means something in the chain is being squeezed:

• Shortened appointments – less time to talk through your health background or after-care
• Lower investment in equipment – basic or older machines, less comfort
• Compromises on materials – cheaper, less comfortable disposables
• Minimal training – therapists doing “a bit of everything” without depth in colon hydrotherapy

Colon cleansing is a personal and intimate process that involves your bowel, hydration, and comfort. Cutting corners here is not the same as going for a discount haircut.

We’re not the cheapest in Melbourne, and we’re comfortable with that. In our opinion, our pricing reflects the value of proper appointment times, quality care, premium disposables and equipment, and staff who are knowledgeable and skilled.

If a clinic is dramatically cheaper than the general market, it’s fair to ask: “How do you keep your prices this low? What exactly are we trading off?”

Convenience and location: not glamorous, but important

When you’re planning a colon cleanse, a few practical things matter more than people admit:

• You’ll want to use the bathroom just before and after.
• You don’t want a stressful, long, multi-connection journey.
• You might feel a bit lighter or tired afterwards and prefer a straightforward trip home.

That’s where location becomes more than just a line on a website. Our centre is in Armadale. It is a practical choice because it is:

• Easy to reach from multiple parts of Melbourne
• Connected by major roads and public transport
• Simple to combine with other errands or appointments

The main point is: getting to and from the appointment should be simple, not a whole-day project involving three trams and a stress headache.

When you compare clinics, ask yourself:

• “Will this feel like a quick trip… or an expedition?”
• “Is there parking or reasonable transport?”
• “Would I honestly want to come here again if I like the treatment?”

Experience of the centre: how long have they actually been doing this?

Colon cleansing is one of those services where years of practice matter. The more people a centre has safely guided through sessions, the more patterns they recognise:

• Who tends to feel light-headed and needs closer monitoring
• How to position someone for maximum comfort
• What little adjustments make the experience more relaxed
• When something doesn’t look right, how to correct it

That only comes with time.

Our Armadale centre has been offering colon cleansing since 1999. That’s over two decades of refining protocols, listening to client feedback, and learning what works in the real world – not just in theory. Colon Irrigation Melbourne is a registered Health premises with Stonnington City Council, undergoing annual audits in accordance with government regulations, specifically the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

Colon Irrigation Melbourne is one of the longest-running Colonic clinics in Australia, established by Edna Granot in 1999, and she was known as the Colonic Queen. Edge Mallis took over the management of Colon Irrigation Melbourne, and it is Edge's passion to have staff who provide exceptional service and promote extraordinary health and well-being through Colonic Hydrotherapy.

When you’re comparing Melbourne clinics, look beyond marketing words like “holistic” and “nurturing” and ask:

• “How long have you been offering colon cleansing specifically?”
• “Is it one of your core services, or just a small add-on?”
• “Have your protocols changed over the years as you’ve learned more?”

You’re trusting a place with a very personal part of your body. It’s okay to prefer somewhere that can say: “We’ve been doing this, day in day out, for many years.”

Materials and equipment: the things you don’t see on Instagram

Most websites display the same type of images: white towels, candles, and plants.

Very few talk about what goes into your treatment at a practical level.

Things worth asking:

• Are nozzles and tubing truly single-use and of good quality?
• How is the water filtered and temperature-controlled?
• What’s the cleaning and disinfection protocol between clients?

At our Armadale centre, we use premium, medical-grade disposable materials. It’s not the glamorous part of the story, but it’s what keeps the session comfortable, hygienic, and as gentle as possible for the body.

Premium materials cost more, but they give you:

• Better comfort (especially with smaller, well-designed nozzles)
• Less irritation around sensitive areas
• Peace of mind about hygiene

When comparing options, don’t be shy to ask directly about materials and hygiene. A good clinic will be happy to talk you through it.

Skills and attitude of the support staff

You’re not just choosing a machine. You’re selecting people. The best colon cleanse experience comes from a mix of:

• Technical skill – knowing the equipment, watching how your body responds, adjusting flow gently, understanding when to pause
• Communication – explaining what’s happening, checking in on how you’re feeling, never making you feel rushed or awkward
• Boundaries and safety – knowing when something is outside the scope of a wellness clinic and encouraging you to see a doctor instead

Since 1999, we’ve focused heavily on training and continuity:

• Our therapists aren’t “casuals” offering colonics alongside ten other services.
• We invest in training, refreshers and clear protocols.
• New staff work under supervision until they have the confidence and consistency we expect.

When you speak to a clinic, pay attention not just to what they say but how they say it:

• Do they listen to your concerns or just push packages?
• Are they open about who will be in the room and what will happen step by step?
• Do you feel you can ask “basic” questions without being brushed off?

Your gut is sensitive. The people helping you should be too.

How a thoughtful Melbourne colon cleanse choice looks in practice

If you’re weighing up your options, here’s a simple checklist to apply to any clinic in Melbourne (including us):

1. System

• Do I prefer an open system (with more privacy and a smaller nozzle) or a closed system (with more therapist control)?
• Does the clinic clearly explain the difference between them?

2. Safety & guidelines

• Do they have health questionnaires, intake forms and clear screenings?
• Do they mention when they wouldn’t treat someone and refer them to a doctor?

3. Price vs depth of care

• Is the price realistic for the time and materials involved?
• Are they upfront about what’s included, or just selling “cheap detox deals”?

4. Location & convenience

• Is getting there and back straightforward?
• Do I feel comfortable with the neighbourhood and the building?

5. Experience

• How long have they been doing colon cleansing?
• Is this a core service, or just something they occasionally do?

6. Materials & equipment

• Are they using premium, single-use disposables?
• Are they willing to discuss hygiene, filtration, and cleaning?

7. The therapist's skill and attitude

• Did I feel heard when I made the call?
• Could I speak up during a session if I needed anything?

If a clinic ticks these boxes and you feel genuinely comfortable with their answers, you’re far more likely to have a safe, respectful and positive colon cleanse experience.

Colon Cleanse in Melbourne

This post originally apperared on  Icleanse.co.uk