DRAINAGE DEFINED
Drainage//
The body's way of removing waste, toxins and pathogens through a series of pathways. This is the unique system that allows our bodies to naturally remove harmful substances on it's own.
But what about detoxification? Isn't it the same thing? Let me explain by comparing the two
Drainage can be described as- The pathway through which unwanted substances naturally leave the body via urine, sweat or stool
Detoxification can be described as- Intentionally removing toxins and harmful substances out of the body from a cellular level through supplementation, binders, and various tools like saunas, coffee enemas, etc
Our drainage pathways are how the body eliminates unwanted substances whereas detox is intentionally removing toxins out of the body.
One of the biggest mistakes individuals (and sadly doctors) make is not addressing drainage support as the first step in any healing journey. Without doing so the body isn't properly prepared to address deeper concerns like stealth pathogens, parasites, candida, and even inflammation.
To address these without supporting drainage creates a bottleneck where nothing can be removed from the body and instead it gets recirculated. This leaves individuals spinning their wheels not making forward progress in healing and often causing what is known as a "herxheimer" reaction.
This herxheimer reaction can cause pre existing symptoms to flare while also bringing on others symptoms up making individuals feeling worse off than before.
A Herxheimer reaction, also known as a "healing crisis," occurs when the body experiences symptoms such as fever, fatigue, or headaches in response to a rapid breakdown of toxins during a detoxification process. This phenomenon is commonly associated with treatments like antibiotic therapy for certain infections or even detox diets. As the body eliminates harmful substances, the sudden release of toxins can overwhelm the system, triggering discomfort.
Herxheimer Symptoms In a Healing Journey Can Include The Following:
Increased Fatigue
Constipation
Diarrhea
Brain Fog
Dizziness
Fever & Chills
Rashes
Bloating
Brain Fog
Chills
Cold Sweats
Cramps
Headaches
Irritability
Joint Pain
Lethargy
Muscle Pain
Nausea
Skin Irritation
Sore Throat
These symptoms and this reaction is common for many that dive into the deep end with treatment whether it be with antimicrobial support or even with a detox fad diet when drainage is overlooked.
Opening drainage pathways is crucial as it facilitates the removal of toxins and waste from the body. By ensuring these routes are clear and efficient, the body can effectively expel accumulated toxins, promoting a strong immune system. This initial step in healing acknowledges the importance creating a foundation for subsequent therapeutic interventions to be more effective.
These Drainage Pathways Include
Skin (sweating)
Kidneys (urination)
Colon (bowel movements)
Lymph (movement)
Liver & Gallbladder
Lungs (breathing)
Like anything in life it's good to do a checkup to see where we are and if we need to make some necessary improvements. For this reason I've created a checklist for you to assess if your drainage pathways are supported. If you are struggling with your health this is extra important as it's foundational to healing.
Checklist To Assess The Health Of Your Drainage:
Are you having 2-3 bowel movements per day?
When you urinate is it mostly clear (ideal)?
Is your digestion calm (no bloating, gas, nausea, or undigested food in bowels?)
Are you moving your body and working up a sweat (ideally every day)?
Are you sleeping 7-9 hours and waking feeling well rested?
Is your energy stabilize through the day without crashing & feeling tired or wired?
Do you feel calm with minimal stress or anxiety and balanced emotionally?
If you answered “No” to any items on the checklist above, you need to actively work on opening your drainage pathways. This is a crucial step to foundational health.
What Are Symptoms Of Poor Drainage Support?
Our body often talks to us in symptoms. This is it's way it whispers to us that something is off and needs attention. If we don't those whispers soon enough become screams. When our drainage pathways need support the following symptoms indicate so:
Helpful Nutrition Tips To Support Drainage Pathways
Increase Fiber & Antioxidant Rich Foods – Enjoy a wide variety of colorful, plant-based whole foods. Increasing these in your diet will ensure microbiome diversity, prevents constipation, and provide the essential nutrients to prepare the body for detoxification
Increase Hydration With Purified Water – Consume half your body weight (in ounces, a day). Add lemon, mint, or cucumber slices for variety. Add a pinch of Pink Himalayan sea salt or a few drops of minerals for mineral support and electrolytes.
Eliminate Or Swap Coffee- Regular coffee is acidic, spikes cortisol, & contaminated with mold (just adding to your toxic load!). If you don't want to eliminate coffee you can swap it for a healthier alternative with reishi coffee (mold-free, pH balanced, modulates caffeine response, improves immunity, detoxes, & improves healing). If you are interested in learning more you can read my blog post "The Healing Benefits of King Coffee".
Drink Beet Juice: Consuming beet juice is a wonderful way to support whole body drainage.
Add The Following Foods: Flax Seeds, Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, Ghee, Coconut oil, Turmeric, Organ Meats, Kelp, Dulse, Chia Seeds, Dark Leafy Greens, Bright Fruits
Remember that you cannot supplement yourself to good health. Supplements are just that....to supplement what you are not getting from your diet.
Nutrition should be one of your top priorities in your healing protocol as it’s foundational to opening your drainage pathways. There is only so much healing you can do without a good nutrient dense diet.
Tools For Supporting Drainage Pathways
Movement: Practice daily movement to move your lymph & sweat: Lifting weights, swimming, yoga, walking, stretching, rebounding & jumping rope
Support The Liver: Castor oil packs – Improves digestion, cleanses the liver, reduces inflammation & pain
Relax and Sweat: Hot Epsom Salt Baths –Add in magnesium flakes, ginger slices or powdered ginger and drink a ginger tea in the bath (promotes sweating)
Reduce Stress: Meditate daily (Insight Timer app), listen to 528 Hz healing frequencies (Spotify playlist), deep breathing, journal & practice gratitude
Dry Brushing: Use a brush with stiff bristles to brush your body in long strokes, upwards & towards your heart
Improve Circadian Rhythm: Maintain a consistent bedtime & wake time. This impact digestion, hormones, physical activity, mood, and more.
Sunshine: Get sunlight first thing in the morning & reduce screen time (ideally an hour before bed)
Support Lymph: Lymphatic Massage, Gua sha & facial cupping al promote lymph drainage in the body & helps with tension
Drainage Pathways: Takeaways You Need To Know!
Each detox pathway is interconnected and relies on one other to properly drain and detox. Failure to support all pathways can impede the body's ability to drain
You should never address health problems without first addressing drainage! Avoid detoxing before addressing drainage! Ensure proper drainage pathways are open and functioning optimally. Not supporting drainage can lead to very uncomfortable and unnecessary detox reactions.
Use the help of the tools listed above to support drainage pathways. With proper support for our drainage pathways we will prep the body to begin to detox as well.
REMEMBER....
Stagnation breeds sickness! When toxins are unable to exit the body, they recirculate and be reabsorbed into the bloodstream, liver, fat cells and tissues. This leads to stagnation! Overtime stagnation leads to chronic disease and symptoms of dysfunction.
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Stefanie is a Holistic Health Practitioner specializing in Bioenergetics, a Functional Medicine Health Coach, & Holistic Nutritionist who specializes in whole body detoxification, chronic illness, fatigue, autoimmunity, digestive dysfunction, functional nutrition, chronic mystery symptoms, Lyme Disease & mold illness and more.
Stefanie takes a different approach to health and healing by addressing root cause issues rather than bandaid approaches to your health concerns. If you are tired of the conventional medicinal systems band apid approach Stefanie is available for one-on-one care to support you throughout your entire healing journey.
If you are interested in working with Stefanie reach out to learn more about how partnering with her can help you along your healing journey.
Want to learn more about her services and how she can help you? You can browse this website to learn more!
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