Healing Response: When Healing Feels Like a Setback (But Isn’t)

Ever started a healing journey, only to feel like you’re getting worse instead of better? Maybe that old back pain flares up again, or emotions you thought you had buried resurface out of nowhere. One day, you’re feeling hopeful—finally doing something good for yourself—and the next, it’s like your body decided to stage a full-on rebellion.

It’s frustrating, confusing, and enough to make you wonder if you’re doing something wrong.

But guess what? You’re not going backward—you’re going deeper.

What is a Healing Response?

This process is sometimes called a healing crisis and in some traditions, it’s known as retracing—where the body re-experiences old symptoms before fully clearing them. This happens when your body starts processing and clearing out deep-rooted imbalances, whether they’re physical, emotional, or energetic. Think of it like deep cleaning your house—when you start pulling things out of the closets, it looks messier before it looks better.

Your system has been storing symptoms, stress, toxins, and trauma that it wasn’t ready to deal with before. But now that you’ve given it support—whether through Acupuncture, Herbal medicine, Bodywork, Spinal Flow or another healing modality—your body is finally processing what it’s been holding onto.

And sometimes, that processing can feel like a mess.

Why Does This Happen?

Healing isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about releasing what no longer serves you. When your body starts to heal, it doesn’t just “delete” old pain, stress, or toxins. Instead, it brings them up to the surface so they can be processed and cleared. Healing isn’t a straight path—it’s more like a winding path with detours, dips, and unexpected turns. Some days, you’ll feel like you’re making huge progress, and other days, it may seem like you’re right back where you started. But you’re not. Each time discomfort arises, it’s just another layer being cleared, another step forward—whether it feels that way or not.

That can look like:

  • Temporary flare-ups of old symptoms
  • Sudden waves of emotion you weren’t expecting
  • Feeling tired, achy, or foggy before things improve

It’s not a sign that things are getting worse—it’s a sign that healing is actually happening.

Healing Response or a Real Problem? How to Tell the Difference

A healing response can feel uncomfortable, but there’s a difference between a temporary healing response and a real setback:

✅ Healing Response: Symptoms come in waves, feel familiar, and eventually lessen. You might feel emotional, tired, achy in new places or notice old aches popping up—before they clear for good.
🚨 Getting Worse: Symptoms are getting progressively stronger with no relief, and new issues are arising. If you’re unsure, always check in with your practitioner.

How to Support Yourself Through a Healing Response

Through Physical Pain

  • Hydrate & Nourish – Your body is working hard. Drink water, eat real food, and avoid junk that slows your system down.
  • Rest & Listen to Your Body – If you’re exhausted, don’t push through—your body is telling you what it needs.
  • Gentle Movement – Light stretching, walking, intuitive movement or restorative yoga can keep things flowing without overwhelming your system.
  • Heat or Cold Therapy – Warm baths, heating pads, sauna, or cold therapies like cold compresses or cold plunge can ease discomfort depending on your symptoms.
  • Support Detox Pathways – Sweating (gentle exercise, sauna), deep breathing, or herbal teas can help your body process and eliminate what it’s releasing.

Through Emotional Pain

  • Let Yourself Feel It – Instead of resisting emotions, acknowledge them: “I feel anxious right now, and that’s okay. This is part of my healing.”
  • Emotional Release – Journaling, breathwork, movement, or energy healing can help you move through emotional waves instead of getting stuck in them.
  • Grounding Practices – Nature walks, meditation, and deep breathing help stabilize your nervous system when emotions feel overwhelming.
  • Let Yourself Cry (Or Scream, Or Laugh) – Your body knows how to release emotions. Don’t judge it—just let it happen.
  • Talk It Out – Reach out for support. A friend, therapist, or practitioner can help you make sense of what’s coming up.

Mindset Shifts to Keep Going

  • Trust the Process – If symptoms temporarily return or increase, remind yourself that healing isn’t always linear. You are still making progress.
  • Celebrate Small Wins – Even if today is rough, look for small signs of improvement—better sleep, less brain fog, moments of peace and calm. 
  • Work with a Practitioner – If your healing crisis feels overwhelming, your practitioner can adjust your treatment plan to better support you.

The Bottom Line

Healing isn’t always smooth or comfortable, but it is worth it. If you’re in the middle of a healing crisis, you are not broken, and you are not regressing. You are finally clearing what your body has been holding onto for far too long.

So breathe, trust, and keep going—you’re on the right path. 💛✨

On February 16, 2025   /   Blog