The Healing Crisis

“Two steps forward, one step back.”

This familiar saying seems to capture the true essence of healing. At Damron Chiropractic & Wellness (DCW), healing is our top priority. However, healing is a process that not only takes time but also involves various stages. The stage that surprises our patients the most is called the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. This is also called the healing crisis stage. While it might seem odd to have the words healing and crisis connected, this is exactly what is happening within the body. Healing actually means the body is eliminating the toxins that are existing within it. The healing crisis is the temporary worsening of symptoms as the body goes through the process of getting well. It is normal and to be expected. Unfortunately, if we are unaware of this stage in our healing we might think something is wrong. We then want to stop whatever it is we are doing to heal, and then find ourselves once again right back where we started – in pain.

At DCW we are big advocates of education. We believe that with knowledge comes the power to transform your life. All to often it is misconceptions, or a lack of understanding, that leaves people living with pain and discomfort. Many times, the people who walk through our doors have tried to address their pain in other ways, without success. From the onset, every team member at DCW works to identify, address, educate, and resolve whatever issue brought that person to us.

When it comes to healing, knowing that you will inevitably take “two steps forward, and one step back” at some point in the process is an important sign that you are on the right path. It means your body is responding well to the treatment you are receiving. Your body is working hard to heal, and sometimes that means experiencing additional symptoms such as nausea, poor coordination, headaches, and fatigue. The good news is that this is a temporary situation and one that resolves in only a couple of days.

Remember, healing is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. It requires work. Your body is equipped to know what it’s supposed to do. Give it the room it needs to heal itself. Your body will thank you and you will benefit because you will feel the difference.