Understanding a Healing Crisis After Massage

Gif of Napoleon Dynamite. “Herxheimer Reaction,” aka healing crisis

“Herxheimer Reaction,” aka healing crisis is a medical condition that can occur when ones chooses a path of healing. A healing crisis occurs when cells release metabolic waste too quickly into the system and the organs cannot eliminate the waste fast enough. The metabolic waste gets recycled over and over again in the body. Symptoms may be subtle or severe including headache, soreness, nausea, fatigue, fever, stomach distress, rash, skin eruptions and other conditions.

A healing crisis simply is not limited to massage. It may happen to those that are incorporating a new health and exercise regiment, recovering from a long or short illness or disease or have been previously injured. Those that are currently ill or recovering from an aliment may experience severe reaction of a healing crisis. Conditions can last from one to three days or in some cases up to a week or more.

When your body is undergoing a healing crisis it will go into a flushing mode creating an organized cleanse. It’s the body’s way of flushing out previous illnesses, viruses, bacteria or disease. The muscles retain and hold memory like a hard drive on a computer. Our muscles and fat can store previous aliments and injury. Sometimes by touching a part of the body will trigger a response for the muscles to remember and release. This is a natural cleansing mechanism and necessary in helping repair and healing of the body systems.

No massage therapist can predict if you will receive these symptoms after a massage session. In some cases it is unavoidable. You just go to ride the dragon and allow your body to do its job by releasing the metabolic waste. Do not allow a healing crisis deter you from receiving much-needed body work.

It is best to prepare in cases such as these. Here are some recommendations you can do to prevent or reduce a healing crisis after your massage:

• Stay hydrated before and after a massage with water and electrolytes. 

• Epsom salt or mustard seed baths help to reduce soreness and stiffness after a massage. 

• Daily intake of luke warm water with lemon in the morning can assist the liver in flushing out metabolic waste. This is a great daily routine to incorporate in your health regiment. Drinking apple cider vinegar before and after a massage session can aid in reducing DOMS. 1tb of apple cider vinegar, 8oz of luke warm water and 1tsp of organic honey (to taste). 

• Make sure you are getting plenty of rest. Sleep aides in the body to heal.

There are many ways to help your body while in a healing crisis. Books and research on the internet can give you more information on a healing crisis and how to reduce the symptoms.

Trust the Healing Process

Experiencing a healing crisis after a massage can feel intense, but it’s a natural part of your body’s process of releasing metabolic waste. By staying hydrated, resting, and incorporating simple supportive practices like warm baths, fermented foods, and gentle self-care routines, you can ease the symptoms and allow your body to complete its cleansing process. Remember, a healing crisis is a sign that your body is actively working toward restoration by trusting the process and honor your body’s need for care.

If symptoms from a healing crisis linger or don’t seem to improve, it may be best to reach out to your doctor or general practitioner. Sometimes there may be an underlying condition that hasn’t yet been diagnosed, and further evaluation could be needed.

Massage therapy is not a substitution for medical treatment. The massage therapist cannot diagnose, treat or prevent disease. The therapist can only recommend products and services. Please consult a medical physician.

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