Healing Isn’t Linear

Healing is often perceived as a straightforward process, where each step leads to continuous improvement. However, the reality is far more complex, particularly in the world of detoxification and root-cause healing. The journey to optimal health is not linear; instead, it follows a dynamic and cyclical path, where progress is often accompanied by temporary setbacks, and as practitioners, it is important that we explain this to our clients in order to manage their expectations. 

Understanding herxheimer reactions, detox pathways, retracing, and toxic overload at the cellular level, provides insight into why healing does not follow a linear trajectory. Each of these concepts highlights the complexity of the body's detoxification systems and explains why setbacks are not failures, but rather essential steps in the healing process; Dr Morse often refers to detoxification as ‘refurbishing a house. You need to get rid of the old before you can bring in the new’. By exploring these key aspects, we can develop a deeper appreciation for the body's natural intelligence and the patience required for true, lasting healing. 

A Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction (JHR) is a reaction to endotoxin-like products released by the death of harmful microorganisms within the body. It has been studied regularly as a consequence of antibiotics given to patients with spirochetes infections but is also prevalent in patients who undergo detoxification protocols due to the ‘die-off’ experienced. All too often, when clients begin their healing journeys they will find that as they kill off unwanted pathogens, they will develop symptoms that can make them feel worse than when they first started. That is because when a pathogen is killed, it releases proteins, oxidising agents, biofilms and other toxins that increase the inflammatory chemicals, known as cytokines, into the body which elicits an immune response. Symptoms may include fatigue, headaches, skin rashes, stomach bloating, dizziness or fevers. This will be their first experience that the healing journey isn’t linear as they are feeling worse, rather than better. However, in order to get to the ultimate goal of overall well-ness, the pathogens do need to be removed and therefore this is one of the necessary side-effects for that. That being said, there are many things we can do to ensure that the JHR is as minimal as possible, and the first is taking the process at the pace that a client's body can cope with. We do not need to rush and cause undue stress, but instead increase supplements and protocols at a steady rate so that the die-off can happen slowly. It is also important to ensure that the client’s detoxification pathways are fully open and they are practising daily drainage to keep them open. Furthermore, adding in binders to mop up the expelled toxins as well as a liver herb to support the liver whilst processing the overload of toxins will help considerably. Other solutions include sauna, rest and exercise. It is important to remember that these JRH are a sign of process and not a step-back, just another nod to the cyclical nature of healing. 

The role of the liver in healing is another way that promotes the non-linear healing process, as the liver itself does not follow one straight pathway: it follows 2 phases. Phase 1 Liver detoxification is when your liver breaks down stimulants, such as coffee and alcohol, into less toxic substances via the production of enzymes known as the cytochrome P450 family. Unfortunately, the detoxification process doesn’t end here. If it did, or if Phase 2 was inhibited, then these less toxic byproducts from Phase 1 would build up in the liver and start to cause old symptoms to flare up as this toxic load built up. Phase 2 detoxification takes these byproducts and makes them water-soluble so that they can exit the body safely through the kidneys, primarily through the use of glutathione, sulphate and glycine via a process known as conjugation. This 2-phase process shows how healing, on a smaller scale, isn’t linear and that it needs to go through different processes, different layers and different phases for healing to then take place. Our bodies, much like the liver, will need to take time going through each of the phases, accompanied by set-backs, before healing can then be achieved. 

Retracing is another way that highlights that healing isn’t linear and why often old symptoms reappear. Retracing is defined as ‘the process of re-experiencing, or reawakening old symptoms, such as pain, memories or even emotions during the healing journey. As difficult as retracing can be, it is necessary for true healing to take place and for the old emotions and pain to come up and out of our body. In homeopathy, it is also referred to as Hering’s law, where the order in which symptoms occur, is the order in which they will heal, just in reverse. Therefore, explaining these phenomena to clients before undergoing work with them is vital; it will allow them to have the correct expectations going into this and know that they might need to expect old symptoms to flare up again. It will be my duty to remind them that this is not a setback but a sign of deeper healing. 

True healing can take months if not years due to the fact that healing is cyclical and each of the kidneys, colon, liver and lymphatic system need time to work efficiently. They will go through periods of healing and periods of cleansing, each time presenting new symptoms or peeling back the next layer that needs to be healed. Eventually, when we get to cellular healing, the body will have stored toxins in fat cells and tissues, and this, once again, can make the healing take a step back, rather than look like progression. Although it is progression, it is just necessary for the body to release the toxins from these cells. This process of releasing the toxins is sometimes known as a healing crisis and it often presents itself with chronic conditions portraying themselves as acute for a short period of time. It is at this moment that we need to lean into our body’s amazing ability to self-heal, trust the process and stay the course.

The belief that healing should be a smooth, linear process is a misconception that often leads to frustration and discouragement. In reality, detoxification and healing occur in waves, with progress interwoven with temporary setbacks. The JHR demonstrates why symptoms may temporarily worsen before improving, while liver detox pathways highlight the importance of properly eliminating toxins to avoid stagnation in the healing process. Retracing explains why old symptoms may resurface, and at the deepest level, cellular detoxification underscores the importance of patience, as true healing happens layer by layer. 

By acknowledging that healing is non-linear, individuals can approach their detox journey with a sense of trust, resilience and self-compassion. Instead of viewing temporary discomfort as failure, it can be seen as an indicator of deep healing taking place beneath the surface. A holistic and personalised approach to detoxification ensures that the body is supported throughout its healing phases, leading to sustainable, long-term health improvements. Ultimately, healing is not about achieving perfection but about embracing the journey, allowing the body to heal in its own time, and honouring the process of transformation. 

Written by Sarah Walker, certified Detox Practitioner through The Detox Practitioner School. Connect with Sarah HERE.

We would love to teach you how to utilise detoxification as a root cause healing modality inside The Detox Academy, Jade’s signature programme. Click HERE to learn more.