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What is a Healing Crisis?


Bob Burdekin, AES, CHHP
 

Detoxification is meant to rejuvenate the mind and body and positively impact well-being and clarity. However, sometimes the initial reaction to a detoxification program can be anything but pleasant. The process of healing sometimes includes a “healing crisis”, also known as the detox reaction, the cleansing reaction, or the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. During a healing crisis, you can feel even worse than before when you started before the program. The good news is that this reaction is likely a sign that they’re getting better by way of a deep and thorough cleansing.

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What is a Healing Crisis?

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Environmental toxins accumulate in tissue throughout the body, especially fatty tissue. Additionally, the human body has bacterial colonies. When cleansed, the toxins dislodge and the bacteria die off and release endotoxins. When the toxins and waste are dislodged, the body begins to flush them into the bloodstream to be filtered and eliminated. This sudden circulation of toxins can temporarily impact your well-being and symptoms of a healing crisis may occur.

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What are the Indications of a Healing Crisis?

 

The indications that you may experience during a healing crisis can include headache, nausea, and fever which are symptoms typically experienced during healing crisis. Symptoms of a healing crisis vary from one individual to another and may include:

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  • Fatigue

  • Diarrhea

  • Aches and Soreness

  • Low-grade Fever

  • Anxiety

  • Mood Swings

  • Nausea

  • Skin Irritations

  • Runny Nose

  • Congestion

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​How Long Does a Healing Crisis Last?

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A healing crisis generally lasts around three days, depending on the individual and the severity of their situation. The more severe the toxicity, the more intense the healing crisis can be. As your body begins to expel toxins, their energy may decrease and you may begin to appear a bit off your norm; if it happens, take it as a sign that your horse’s body is working to flush out toxins and waste.

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How to Handle a Healing Crisis

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For a detox-induced healing crisis, it’s important to keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water to encourage your body to flush and expel the toxins.

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