What Is a Healing Crisis? Why it Occurs and How to Treat

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) spans a wide range of practices. It encompasses techniques such as massage therapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, and numerous other approaches.

Many people incorporate some form of CAM into their health routine. In fact, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) estimated that over 30 percent of adults used some variety of CAM in 2012.

While a lot of individuals turn to CAM to support overall wellness, some use it as a therapeutic approach for specific health issues. Occasionally, people pursuing CAM treatments encounter a reaction known as a healing crisis.

So what exactly does a healing crisis mean? What leads to it? And how long might it last? Read on as we address these questions and more.

What is a healing crisis?

A healing crisis describes a transient worsening of symptoms after beginning a CAM intervention. You might also see it referred to as a homeopathic aggravation, a detox reaction, or a cleansing response.

During a healing crisis, symptoms intensify briefly before starting to improve. This differs from an adverse treatment effect, which is a harmful or unwanted response that does not improve with continued therapy.

Estimates of how frequently a healing crisis occurs vary considerably. For instance, within homeopathy the incidence has been estimated at 10 to 75 percent.

How is a healing crisis different from a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction?

The healing crisis is often likened to the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR), and the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they are distinct though similar phenomena.

A JHR is a short-lived worsening of symptoms that occurs after initiating antibiotic therapy for particular bacterial infections, such as syphilis, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis.

People experiencing a JHR may develop symptoms like:

• fever
• shivering and chills
• muscle soreness
• headache
• nausea and vomiting
• aggravation of an existing skin rash

Although the exact cause of the JHR is not fully understood, it is thought to stem from an inflammatory response triggered as antibiotics act on bacteria. Typically, a JHR resolves within 24 hours.

What triggers a healing crisis?

It’s important to note that while the healing crisis is commonly referenced in the context of CAM, scientific investigation into it remains limited. The NCCIH points out that clinical studies have found little proof supporting the healing crisis concept.

The healing crisis is thought to result from the removal of toxins or metabolic waste from the body in response to treatment. It’s regarded by proponents as a normal phase of the body’s recovery process. Yet rigorous scientific evidence for this mechanism is scarce.

There are many anecdotal accounts of healing crises following diverse CAM methods. Examples include:

• detox programs
• homeopathy
• massage therapy
• acupuncture
• reflexology
• reiki
• cupping

Healing crisis in homeopathy

The healing crisis is frequently discussed in relation to homeopathy. Much of the literature concentrates on reducing risk by distinguishing between a true healing crisis and an adverse reaction to treatment.

A 2015 study in homeopathy showed that 26 percent of participants experienced symptom worsening after starting therapy. Of those, researchers judged that two-thirds were undergoing a healing crisis while one-third had an adverse effect.

Another homeopathy study tracked 441 participants for two months and found that 14 percent reported a healing crisis. Reported severity ranged from mild to severe.

Healing crisis in reflexology

A small 2010 study investigated reflexology for fibromyalgia symptoms in six women. Several symptoms aligning with a healing crisis were reported by all participants.

Healing crisis in acupuncture

An older acupuncture study noted potential healing crises. Worsening of symptoms was observed in a small fraction of treatments (2.8 percent). In most of those cases, improvement followed in 86 percent of instances.

What signs and symptoms are associated with a healing crisis?

Symptoms of a healing crisis seem to differ between individuals. They’re commonly described as flu-like or a general sensation of being unwell.

Some people notice a temporary intensification of the symptoms of the condition being treated. For instance, someone using CAM for eczema might observe that their eczema flares up after starting therapy.

Other reported symptoms linked to a healing crisis include:

• muscle and body aches
• headache
• fatigue
• chills
• sweating or facial flushing
• nausea
• diarrhea

Some individuals also describe an increased sense of overall wellbeing even as symptoms worsen. This can include more energy or improved sleep.

How long does a healing crisis normally last?

A healing crisis commonly begins soon after starting a CAM treatment. Generally, it lasts about one to three days, after which symptoms start to subside.

However, a healing crisis can sometimes persist longer — for weeks or even months. For example, in the reflexology study mentioned earlier, the healing crisis continued for several weeks and resolved after seven to eight weekly reflexology sessions.

How do you manage a healing crisis?

There’s no specialized medical treatment for a healing crisis. If it leaves you feeling unwell, the following self-care steps can help you manage symptoms at home until they pass:

• Stay well hydrated.
• Get plenty of rest while symptoms persist.
• Consider over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) for aches.
• Avoid foods and beverages that may aggravate digestive symptoms.

Also consider discussing supportive measures with your CAM practitioner. If you’re exploring dietary or detox strategies, these might be paired with healing bone broth recipes to support nutrition while symptomatic.

When should you see a doctor?

Because the length of a healing crisis can be unpredictable, how do you decide when medical attention is needed?

One source suggests that symptoms that worsen and don’t resolve after 14 days may represent an adverse reaction to treatment rather than a healing crisis.

It’s sensible to consult a healthcare professional if you develop worrying or escalating symptoms. See a doctor if signs of a healing crisis don’t begin to improve after several days.

In some situations it may be necessary to discontinue the therapy you’re using. If so, your provider can discuss alternate treatment options for your condition.

Can a healing crisis be prevented or lessened?

There’s no guaranteed way to prevent a healing crisis. However, before starting a new CAM therapy, speak with your practitioner about potential side effects or reactions you might expect.

Being informed can help you prepare for possible symptoms. Your practitioner may also offer guidance on symptom management and when to seek further care.

Key takeaways

A healing crisis is a short-term worsening of symptoms that can occur after beginning a new CAM treatment. It usually lasts only a few days, though it may continue for weeks or months in some instances.

Various CAM therapies have been linked to healing crises, including detox protocols, homeopathy, and acupuncture. Still, robust scientific research into this reaction and its underlying mechanism is limited.

Discuss potential reactions or side effects with your provider before starting a new CAM therapy. That preparation can help you recognize and manage the symptoms of a healing crisis if they arise.