Why Old Symptoms Return

Apr 21, 2025 | Direction of Cure, Introductions, Returning Symptoms

aggravation | detox | direction of cure

Why Old Symptoms Return

 

When old symptoms return after treatment in dogs, it may signal that the body is undergoing a healing process, particularly in the context of homeopathy or holistic treatments.

Here is what it could mean:

 

Healing Crisis or Aggravation

A healing crisis or aggravation, in the context of homeopathy or holistic treatments, refers to a temporary worsening or reappearance of old symptoms after treatment. It occurs as the body responds to a remedy, processing underlying imbalances or past health issues as part of the healing journey. This is often seen as a positive sign that the body is actively working toward restoring balance to achieve a better state of health.

 

Direction of Cure

In homeopathy, the concept of Direction of Cure suggests when a dog is recovering from illness, the symptoms typically improve in a specific order:

  • From inside out (deeper issues heal before superficial symptoms),
  • From top to bottom (head and vital organs heal before limbs or external areas),
  • From more recent symptoms to older ones — thus, the reappearance of old symptoms might suggest the body is addressing previous imbalances not fully addressed earlier, working through layers of past health issues to achieve full balance.

Click here to read more about Direction of Cure.

 

Vital Force at Work

Homeopathy views the Vital Force — the body’s natural ability to maintain balance and health — as a central role in healing. A remedy is administered to stimulate this Vital Force to correct imbalances, which may cause old symptoms to resurface as the body resolves deep-seated issues previously masked or dormant. This is often a natural part of achieving complete balance.

 

Possible Relapse of Underlying Issues

In some cases, returning symptoms may indicate that the underlying condition was not fully resolved, or the treatment was not optimal. This suggests the need for a new approach or further treatment to address the root cause effectively.

 

Detoxification

Old symptoms may also return due to detoxification. After the body undergoes treatment, it may begin to release built-up toxins or pathogens, triggering symptoms that were previously resolved or dormant. This is part of the body’s natural process of cleansing process to support rebalancing itself.

    Example

    Consider a dog, Rex, treated for recurring chronic ear infections. After a round of treatment, the ear infections seemed to resolve; however, months later, Rex started to show itching and red patches on his paws — a skin condition from years ago. The return of these older skin issues could indicate that his body is healing in layers, addressing past imbalances that have come to the surface as part of the healing process towards total recovery.

     

    Conclusion

    The return of old symptoms in dogs can be a positive sign in homeopathy, suggesting the body is processing past health issues and moving toward complete healing.

    However, it is important for pet owners to work closely with a qualified homeopathy veterinarian to monitor progress, ensure symptoms resolve and overall health improve, and adjust treatment if symptoms persist or worsen.