"A good therapy is one that stimulates the healer within."
—Albert Schweitzer

Toxic load is best described in terms of the capacity of an individual’s physical, emotional, and spiritual abilities to process environmental toxins. Think of the proverbial “straw that breaks the camel’s back”. Humans are the same. We have a built-in capacity to heal and to defend ourselves against disease. A healthy immune system functions in this capacity. However, over time, with repeated and ongoing toxic exposure, the body’s ability to remove, regenerate, and rejuvenate decreases. If detoxification strategies are not addressed, the likelihood that the toxic load reaches a critical point increases. As a result, the body, mind, and Spirit manifest symptoms and disease.

Child Stress, Kid Stress, Teen Stress

Many, if not most, of the childhood (kid stress), adolescent (teen stress), and adult emotional, behavioral, and physical “disorders” and “diseases” such as ADD/ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, anxiety, and depression are caused by environmental toxins such as heavy metals (e.g., mercury, lead), toxic chemicals in our food and water supply, and food allergies that develop (e.g., dairy, gluten, nuts, etc).

In treating children's stress (or adult stress), the cleansing process begins with providing respite and support for the organs of elimination. In teenage stress and child stress issues, this is accomplished by implementing two approaches: one addressing the external environment, the other focus is on the internal milieu. With regard to the external environment, first, toxic exposure from water and air are removed. This includes utilizing reverse-osmosis filtration process to remove toxins from drinking water, a shower filtration system (many toxins are absorbed into the bloodstream from the skin, the body’s largest organ), and utilizing HEPA air filters. An assessment of toxic electromagnetic and allergens such as molds in the home is also an important part of this process. An inventory of common household products (e.g., laundry and dish detergent; perfumes; hair products; furniture and floor cleaners; etc.) is then taken to determine further chemical exposure.

Internal milieu detoxification involves three processes: organ support protocol, (e.g., liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph, heart, bowel) detoxification therapy, and nutritional replenishment. Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, herbal and homeopathic remedies are prescribed. The following summarizes a generic detoxification protocol.

Child Stress, Kid Stress, Teen Stress, Detoxification

• Detoxification
  
  • Eat Local, Organic Whole Foods
    
  • Avoid Sugar, Processed Foods, Artificial Ingredients
    
  • Supplements (e.g., Chlorella, Vitamin C)
    
  • Herbs (e.g., Brahmi, Garlic, Cilantro)
    
  • Digestive Enzymes & Probiotics
    
  • Vitamin/Mineral Complex
    
  • Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3 & 6)
    
  • Lecithin
    
  • Amino Acids
    
  • MSM; N-Acetyl-Cysteine
• Hydrogen Peroxide Foot Soaks
  
• Detox Bath (Soak in Warm Bath 30 minutes)
  
  • Two Cups Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate)
    
  • Two Cups Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
    
  • Two Tablespoons MSM
• Castor Oil Pack (over liver & lower back)

When one thinks of detoxification, it is best to remember the story about the “tortoise and the hare”. The moral to that story is “slow and steady wins the race”. It is the same with detoxification. Detoxification protocols are never implemented in a hurry, since moving too quickly can actually create unpleasant symptoms. Holistic/Integrative Physicians and practitioners often refer to this as a “Healing Crisis”.

With natural therapies such as homeopathy, herbal remedies, acupuncture, nutritional, and other biological therapies, the patient may experience an initial increase in symptoms. This has been called a “healing crisis.” It usually lasts a couple of days. In child or teen stress, symptoms are similar to the cold or flu (e.g., headache, body ache, fever, tired, sluggish). Doctors from the “old school” who understand how the body’s defense system responds welcome these symptoms as the initiation of the healing process.

Here is an example. When there is a bacterial infection, symptoms appear. It may begin with a sore throat. Then, fever can develop. People often confuse fever as the disease. Fever is your friend. It is the body’s innate immune response to foreign invaders. Fever helps to destroy the bacteria, and reduces a virus’ ability to replicate. If fever is suppressed, then the body’s immune system’s effectiveness is suppressed. In time, the immune system response restores balance and well-being. This is the natural course of the body’s healing mechanism.

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