If I do Self-Lymph Massage will I have a Detox Reaction (or Herxheimer reaction or healing crisis)? - No

The simple answer is no, but I will share more.

In all the classes I’ve taken on Manual Lymphatic Drainage, this has not been a topic of conversation. I admit, I see it in YouTube videos and Instagram posts and such, but not in the actual trainings for Manual Lymphatic Drainage (proper name for Lymph Massage).

Lymphatic Massage or Manual Lymphatic Drainage is recommended and regularly administered even in palliative care, when someone is on Hospice. There are very compromised individuals receiving Manual Lymphatic Drainage, and there is not fear or warning of bad reaction.

Can we have increased symptoms when we do a Self-Lymph Massage class? Sure. We can have increased symptoms from breathing deeply, from eating, from sleeping, from sitting still, from doing anything at all, from staring at the wall. So, let’s stop labeling it as confidently knowing that it’s a healing crisis.

We want flowing, moving fluid in our lymphatic system

I know that many in the wellness community, and those on healing journeys are educated on detox reactions (herxing/healing crisis). They are warned of them extensively when doing detox protocols and detox supplements, which I definitely experienced. I no longer participate in these groups or treatments. They can have detox, because you are removing the good with the bad, and there are other reasons as well.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (which is what self-lymph massage is), on the other hand, isn't grouped into those protocols. It really is manual drainage of the lymphatic fluid. We are actually moving the lymph for the body. In the exact pattern it would already move itself, but we are assisting it. We aren’t just stirring it up. We are moving it, and helping unload the system. We are supporting a system of the body, not attacking it, or removing some of the good nutrients along with waste as all the binders and things do.

If you have increased symptoms, during or after a self-lymph massage class, session, or exercise, just be present and deal with them as you would any other time. In the present, notice your surroundings, switch to gratitude and praise. Notice how your body feels on the surface you are on. You are here now. The fear of the sensations, and the labeling them as a detox reaction, is where the torment, and repetition come in. The fear of getting a Herxheimer or detox reaction is a trigger, so let's set is aside!

Just like with any symptoms, seek help, medical advice, or whatever you feel that you need. I just don’t recommend making a story around it because fear is a powerful thing, and so are our words, so we don’t want to believe and speak that we will have a reaction. It’s just not what we see in the research. I hope this is helpful.

If you would ever like to join us for Self-Lymph Massage, the best deal is the Self-Lymph Align Membership, where you get unlimited live classes, unlimited streaming of shorter and longer classes, and exercises, along with a number of other awesome opportunities, including a live Q & A. Join Align HERE. If you would just like to do a Drop-In Class you can do that HERE. Or for a downloadable version of the class click HERE.