Healing Crisis?

Healing Crisis

Why do I sometimes feel a bit run down after a massage?

This feeling is what’s known as the ‘Healing Crisis’ and is fairly common if you are not used to having a regular massage. 

Don’t worry, it’s very temporary and gives a good indication that your body desperately needed the massage and that feeling good is only a matter of hours away. 

The healing crisis occurs when your body reacts negatively to the detoxification process, meaning a temporary worsening of symptoms. The body is trying to eliminate toxins at a faster rate than it can cope with, but it soon catches up and finds a balance again.  

Common symptoms can include: 

• mild headache, 

• feeling dehydrated, 

• Feeling changes in body temperature

• light headrush, 

• mild nausea, 

• heightened emotions and 

• increased frequency going to the toilet. 

The healthier your body is to begin with, the fewer symptoms you will experience. 

How does massage cause the healing crisis? 

Massage techniques forcibly disturb and disperse the build up of toxins surrounding the key muscles we work on, where you can feel tension or tightness. We push these toxins towards the lymph nodes, where they enter the lymphatic system to begin their elimination journey from the body. 

This will result in an improvement in overall wellbeing and a notable reduction in your tension or tightness. However, the process between disturbing these toxins and your body eliminating them is not instant and this can lead to one or more of the above symptoms while the process takes place. 

Is it really that important to drink water after my massage? 

In short, yes.

Have you noticed that no matter where you go for treatment, UK or abroad, your therapist will always tell you to drink plenty of water as part of massage aftercare? 

Drinking water hugely reduces the likelihood of experiencing these healing crisis symptoms.

Other ways you can help speed up recovery and minimise the symptoms:

• Set some time aside to rest

• Get some fresh air

• Take some deep breaths

• Eat only a light meal 

• Avoid alcohol and caffeine for a while afterwards 

• Drink plenty of water, sipping at regular intervals throughout the day

The healing crisis is a powerful part of your journey to better overall wellness and reminds us to slow down so the body can take care of healing you. 

Each time you visit, the healing crisis will gradually become less noticeable as your overall wellness improves