DON'T FIGHT THE HEALING PROCESS
In the course of following a cleansing program many people experience uncomfortable symptoms. This is known as a healing reaction. The most common symptom is a temporary reduction of energy. Some people also report aches and pains in various parts of the body, digestive system disturbances such as gas, constipation, diarrhea, or other miscellaneous complaints.
These symptoms occur because the body is ridding itself of the substances that have been making it toxic. Not just the materials that have accumulated in the colon, but also the antibodies and other substances that have built up in the individual cells, interfering with their normal functioning. As these substances are ejected out of the tissues, they are dumped into the system, making the body temporarily more toxic until they can be excreted. This is partly what produces the symptoms of the healing reaction. This effect is accentuated by the body's process of tearing apart defective tissue, repairing damaged cells, destroying parasites or infective agents, and otherwise producing debris from the reconstruction.
The elimination of stored toxins is part of the body's healing process. When healing reactions are very troublesome, we can usually do something to help. Mild exercise, detoxing baths, and avoiding stress is helpful. There are also herbal remedies that relieve symptoms without interfering with the healing process. The dosage of certain supplements can be adjusted to slow down the rate at which the healing reaction takes place. The uncomfortable symptoms will be less intense, but the healing process is also more prolonged. As the body becomes detoxified, the dosage can then be increased.
The more toxic the body is, the stronger the healing reaction will be. Because the healing reaction is caused by the flushing of toxins out of the cells, the strength of that reaction also depends on how carefully the individual is following the recommended nutritional program. The more correctly the program is followed, the stronger the healing reaction will be.
Often in the course of the healing process, old symptoms temporarily reappear. Picture the healing process as going up a flight of stairs. At the top of the stairs, the energy is balanced, all the nutrients are present in their proper ratios, and the body is functioning properly. Then the body begins to deteriorate. Moving down the stairs, at each step along the way, a specific kind of symptom is experienced. Perhaps less energy at one step, headaches a little further down, an ulcer still further, and so on. As the body begins to heal itself once again, the person begins to move back up the stairs, and re-experience the symptoms associated with these various levels of health.
It is difficult for people accustomed to having symptoms suppressed by medications to understand that a healing reaction is a natural process which may cause some initial discomfort. It can be very distressing, because we are taught in our society that symptoms are somehow bad. Symptoms represent the body's efforts to heal itself.
Although it is tempting to take pain killers, antihistamines, or other drugs when uncomfortable symptoms occur in the course of healing, it is very important to follow the prescribed program correctly and to do nothing to interfere with the healing process. Understand that this is a natural process occurring inside the body instead of resorting to drugs, which may defeat the regenerative intent of the body. Minor ailments are often compounded by the use of drug therapy, which suppresses symptoms and weakens the body's line of defense. Taking pain killers or other drugs at this point to relieve the symptoms actually prolongs the discomfort.
Aspirin and antihistamines work by blocking the chemical substances found throughout the body which regulate many bodily functions and metabolic provess. They stop an uncomfortable reaction but, in addition don't allow the healing process that undoes the reason for the pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, by blocking the pain with an inappropriate medication we stop the healing process keeping ourselves at precisely the level where we are bound to have the pain.
During a healing reaction toxins and waste will be eliminated through the intestines. If the waste is trapped in the body, toxins will be absorbed into the blood from the colon and recirculated throughout the body, resulting in autointoxication (re-poisoning) the body. It is very important to have regular eliminations. The fastest and most effective way to eliminate these toxins is through Colonic Irrigation.
A healing reaction may last from a few hours to a few days, rarely longer. A young person will detoxify more quickly than an older person. A person may experience more than one healing reaction to fully discharge toxins from the body tissues. Each healing reaction is followed by increased vitality and greater physical well being. Perhaps the greatest challenge of the healing reaction is not to become discouraged, but to learn from the experience.
Our body is infinitely intelligent and if given the proper tools, good nutrition, sufficient fresh air and water, adequate rest and a positive mental attitude, it will manage to work itself through the healing reaction and "miraculously" heal itself. Remember, good health will follow in the wake of a healthy lifestyle!
--Excerpted from an article by Jimmy Scott, Ph.D.