What is a Healing Crisis?

"Healing crisis" is not a scientific term. It refers to an experience that many -- but not all -- people have when attempting to improve their health through diet, herbs and exercise. Some feel a temporary increase in their symptoms, or the symptoms are temporarily exaggerated, after they start cleaning up their diet, taking more exercise, meditating and so forth. You just feel a little worse before feeling better.

In alternative health practices, a healing crisis is generally seen as a good thing, proving that the improved diet, supplements, massage, exercise and so on are working. Generally the healing crisis is short-lived. If you experience mild flu symptoms, fatigue, vague achiness and perhaps nausea, treat yourself as though you are really sick. Get more rest, make sure you are hydrated, eat easy-to-digest foods.

If the symptoms last longer than a day or two, you may really be ill. Sometimes that can happen, too, not due to the changes you are making in your life, but to exposure to someone else who is ill. In that case, see your doctor if the symptoms worsen or don't resolve within a few days.

If you do come down with some minor illness after starting a healthier lifestyle, don't give up. The illness is only temporary, but the beneficial changes you are making will last for the rest of your life.

If you are going through a period of detoxification, as described in the previous article (Safe, Sane Detoxifying That Works), discuss your symptoms with your therapist. You may want to skip your massage for a day, reduce your exercise, change what you are eating for a day or two. Your therapist can help you with some ideas to help the healing crisis end quickly.