What is a healing crisis, also known as a Herxheimer reaction?
It is a temporary response that occurs when the body detoxifies and eliminates toxins at a rapid rate. As the body adjusts to the changes brought on by a new gut health program or nutritional detox, symptoms may arise as a result of the toxins being released into the bloodstream.
While the symptoms can vary from person to person, common symptoms of Healing Crisis/Herxheimer Reaction are:
• fatigue
• headache
• muscle or joint aches
• digestive upset (such as bloating or diarrhoea)
• skin breakouts
• fever or chills
• feeling like to you have a cold to full on flu
• temporary worsening of existing symptoms
This is normal and can happen to most people after receiving most natural therapies.
These reactions are generally short-lived and a sign that the body is working to eliminate toxins. Sounds crazy, but it’s a good sign, honest!.
Dr. Jess Peatross says about it:
"You may also be familiar with these terms: detox reactions, die-off reactions, a healing crisis, or herx reactions.
No matter the name, the experience is all the same – your body reacting poorly to the flood of toxins being released. This includes things like parasites, viruses, bacteria, mold, and any by-products these toxins produce.
When you are detoxing, you want these toxic products to be shuttled out of the body quickly. But if your drainage channels aren’t open and ready for the release, they can get stuck in the pathways and ultimately, be reabsorbed back into the body"
While healing crisis reactions can make you feel pretty miserable, it does not mean your protocol isn’t working.
If you do get effected by any of these, slow down (reduce your protocol to half what you were doing, or to where you feel comfortable continuing) for a week or two to ease the symptoms, but do not stop, you have come this far so keep going :)
Stay consistent with the protocols recommended, as this discomfort is often a sign of progress. The body needs time to adjust, and with persistence, the symptoms will subside and truly you will likely start to feel better in no time.
Tips to help reduce healing crisis symptoms ....................
Stay hydrated - Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins from the body.
Also, add an electrolyte drink. Water with a small pinch of Pink Himalayan salt or grey Celtic salt or have some Coconut Water to replace the salts and minerals, it will make a big difference.
Sleep, or at the least, have lots of rest and relaxation. Rest allows the body to heal and recover more efficiently. Prioritize sleep and find some relaxation techniques you can do such as deep breathing, meditation, playing soft music, reading, laughing, sitting in the garden, or going for a slow nature walk.
Gentle Movement - Doing a bit of light activity like walking, stretching, or yoga can get your circulation going and support the elimination of toxins. Dont do too much though and if you start feeling weak or dizzy, stop! and have an electrolyte drink.
Epsom salt baths - These also help draw out toxins and impurities and can help ease any aches and pains.
Eat wholefoods, light and smaller meals - digestion takes up a lot of energy which could be used in healing. Veggie soups are ideal, green smoothies, etc
Most importantly, stay on track and committed.
Your efforts are leading to positive changes!
By staying consistent, practicing self-care, and following these tips to ease the symptoms, you can get through the healing crisis more comfortably and achieve your health goals, I promise!!
We all have different levels of tolerance to pain and being uncomfortable, you may be used to detoxing or happy to go through this massive detox reaction and bare the effects if your lifestyle permits (on annual leave, the weekend etc) and wish to ride the detox wave, please still follow the tips above and sleep as much as possible because you dont feel so poorly when you are asleep! But at any point you want to reduce the effects, then again follow the above and reduce the time to you doing the protocol.
If you feel any of the below (in the yellow writing) after blowing, it possibly means (in the white writing)
