What is a Herxheimer Reaction or “Herx” Response?
The Herxheimer response is a natural process that happens in the body when harmful microorganisms and bacteria are killed or die off at an increased rate. As pathogens are destroyed inside the body, they release previously contained endotoxins & heavy metals into the bloodstream. When someone has a high toxin load or compromised detox pathways, this influx of endotoxins being released from the tissues can overwhelm their body’s ability to expel toxins. This triggers a temporary immune response that causes an increase of inflammation, worsening of symptoms, and even the development of new symptoms.
Signs of a Herxheimer Reaction:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Headache
- Body aches and pain
- Skin rashes
- Gastrointestinal symptoms: bloating, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, nausea.
- Fever and chills
- Changes in mood and increased irritability
How to Reduce the Impact of a Herx Response:
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Drink More of Water
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Reduce your Exposure to Toxins
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Get More Sleep
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Start a Probiotic
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Find a Detox pace that is manageable for your body.
General Detox Guidelines at Recovery Lounge & Spa:
If you know you have pathogens in your body or difficulty detoxing, follow the steps above to mitigate a Herx Response plus follow specific guidelines for the services below:
PEMF Therapy – This is our gentlest detox service and does not create a Herx Response so long as you hydrate before and after use.
Infrared Sauna & ionCleanse Foot Detox
- Start with 10-15 minutes per session and then take a break, gradually working your way up to longer stretches if you feel good after your sauna session and are not experiencing detox side-effects.
- Shower afterwards and/or use our Double Activated Charcoal Towels to wipe off your skin and remove toxins after using the Infrared Sauna.
- If you’re heat sensitive, reduce the heat. The really cool thing about Infrared Sauna is that it doesn’t have to be used at high heat to be effective. You can turn the heat down and open the door of the sauna without losing benefit because it’s the invisible Infrared Light doing the work, not the heat.
- Hydrate before, during, and after. The more you hydrate, the better you will feel.
ionCleanse Foot Detox:
- Supplement with Trace Minerals if you are using the foot detox more than 1x per week. This replaces the “good metals” like Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, etc. that are purged along with heavy metals during your footbath.
- Get good sleep and avoid alcohol & fried foods for at least 2-3 days after using the ionCleasne to support your body in the detox process initiated during your treatment.
At Recovery Lounge and Spa, we understand the delicate process of detoxing when your body is struggling with Mold, Lyme, Auto-Immune Conditions, Parasites, etc. We understand that you want to feel better but don’t want to be bedbound in the process. For a personalized recommendation, schedule a FREE Virtual Consultation with Amanda or Melissa for support with a care plan that is just for you.
Additional Resources:
“What is a Herxheimer Reaction and What Can I Do About It?”
“Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction” in the National Library of Medicine