Maybe it’s a headache. Or your back has been hurting you for several weeks. Is it a chronic problem, or an acute one that should go away in a matter of time?  While it's a smart idea to always consult a doctor with your medical issues, you may want to also consider that your chakras may not working properly due to bad energy.

Chakras?

As more and more people turn to healthcare alternatives, the concept of chakra healing comes up. A basic understanding will help as a foundation in understanding what chakra healing is, and how it works.

The body has 7 main energy centers, known as chakras. According to chakra experts, each chakra relates to a specific body ailment and physical problem. In addition, each chakra contains specific mental and emotional strengths. When people have a physical ailment, it produces weaknesses in our emotional behavior.

Once you’re able to release the bad energy from the body, your physical health should improve, and your mental health will soon follow.

Ok, what are the 7 chakras?

The first chakra is often called the root chakra. It begins right at the tip of your spine, where your tailbone is located. If you have any imbalance in the root chakra, you’ll have problems in your feet, legs, tailbone and other areas, including the male reproductive system and prostate. It may also affect your immune system. People who have an imbalance in their root chakra often experience physical maladies like degenerative arthritis, knee pain, sciatica, eating disorders and constipation.

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But in addition to physical problems an imbalance in the root chakra can also cause emotional problems as well. These could include the basic human survival needs, like money, food and shelter, and the ability to provide for all of life’s necessities.

The upside – a good, balanced root chakra means you’ll feel a sense of safety, a connection to the world and grounded in your feelings.

Moving around the body to a place that’s about 2 inches below your bellybutton is your second chakra. This is also called the sacral chakra.

Problems in this chakra included sexual and reproduction issues, urinary problems, kidney issues, along with hip, pelvis and back pain. On the emotional side, you’ll have issues being committed to relationships. There will be trouble expressing your emotions, problems having fun or playing, creativity, pleasure and sexual dysfunction. There could also be a fear of impotence, betrayal and addictions.

On the upside, a strong balance in the sacral chakra gives you the ability to take risks, feel creative and be committed. You’ll also feel passionate, sexual and outgoing. That’s the emotional plus of a balanced sacral chakra.

The third chakra, also called the solar plexus chakra, is located about 3 inches above your navel. This is where you find problems with your digestion, liver, high blood pressure, diabetes, stomach ulcers and chronic fatigue, to name a few.

When you have an imbalance in your solar plexus chakra, your emotional problems include low self-esteem, a fear of rejection, criticism and concern about your physical appearance. You’ll feel a great deal of self-respect and self-compassion when this chakra is in balance. You’ll also feel confident and in control

The fourth chakra or the heart chakra is found at your heart. An imbalance in this chakra leads to asthma, heart and lung disease, upper back and shoulder issues, arm and wrist pain and others.

When this chakra is out of balance, your emotions will run wild, with feelings of anger, jealousy, bitterness, abandonment and a fear of loneliness. But when this chakra is in balance, you’ll feel joy, compassion gratitude, forgiveness and trust. That’s the emotional upside of a balanced heart chakra.

Your fifth chakra, known as the throat chakra, is located (not surprisingly) at your throat. Physical problems from an imbalance in this chakra include throat problems laryngitis, TMJ, ear infections, ulcers and facial pain, plus problems with your lips, tongue, neck and shoulders.

Your emotional problems will include issues expressing yourself and a lack of willpower. Giving focus to this area will have you being honest, truthful and a great listener.

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The sixth chakra or the “Third Eye Chakra” is smack dab in the center of your forehead, right in the middle of your eyebrows. When you have a physical problem in this chakra, you’ll end up with headaches, blurred vision, sinus problems, seizures, hearing loss – even problems with hormone functions.

Your emotional side will experience mood swings, volatility and self-reflection. You’ll have trouble examining your own fears, and an inability to learn from others.

A balanced sixth chakra means you’ll feel focused , clear thinking and have enhanced insight and wisdom.

The seventh, final chakra is also called the crown chakra. And as you’d suspect, it’s located at the crown of your head. Because of it’s location, an imbalance in this chakra could cause depression, learning issues, along with sensitivity to light and sound in the environment. Emotionally, you may have trouble with fear of being alienated, confusion and problems with self-knowledge.

Balancing your seventh chakra helps you live in the present moment, with a strong trust in your inner feelings.

Healing the 7 chakras.

We’ve talked about what happens when each chakra is out of balance, but how do you heal the individual chakras? The good news is that it isn’t complicated, nor expensive.

Let’s take a look at each chakra, and how easily each can be healed.

When the root chakra is out of balance, eat as many red foods as you can get your hands on, like tomatoes, red peppers, strawberries and beets.  Walk around without shoes as much as possible. Close your eyes and visualize the color red pouring into the area around the base of your spine. And finally, dance, dance, dance as much as you possibly can!  Other methods include hatha yoga, aromatherapy and gemstones. Some say gardening is good for healing this chakra as well.

Healing your sacral chakra, or chakra 2, requires you to eat orange colored foods like carrots, mangoes, pumpkins and oranges, among others. Celebrate any of your life’s achievements, and relax in a bathtub full of bath oils. Sit back and watch a romantic movie, and then think about the color orange pouring into your 2nd chakra! Other methods include aquatic bodywork, as the second chakra is related to water.

When your 3rrd chakra is out of balance, head outdoors into the sun. Sunbathing is good because the third chakra is related to the fire element, and is located in your solar plexus. Eat yellow foods, like corn and squash. Don’t talk badly about yourself. Drink chamomile tea, and visualize the color yellow pouring into your 3rd chakra.

If your 4th chakra, the heart chakra, is out of balance, start by doing something for you – something you love. Talk with others using an open heart, and be loving and generous. Eat green foods, green like apples, avocados and leafy greens, drink green tea and green smoothies. Visualize the color green pouring into your 4th chakra. And because this chakra’s element is air, breathing exercises can help as well.

When your 5th chakra, your throat chakra is out of balance, get up and sing! It doesn’t matter where you are – the shower, your car, outside – whatever voice you have, just sing! You can also take sound in, in the form of crystal bowls and mantras. Be honest and open with people around you, and learn to say “no” in a kind way. Finally, visualize the color blue pouring into this chakra.

Your 6th chakra, or third eye chakra, gives you the ability to see the big picture. It’s also the center for all of your dreams and visualizations. When it’s out of balance, you can heal it by looking for hidden messages in conversations, use your intuition and give yourself praise whenever you’re right, tap into the vibes of people around you – see if they’re feeling negative or positive. Create a positive world within you, where you feel and see the things you truly want. And finally, visualize the color indigo pouring into this chakra.

If your 7th and final chakra is out of balance, take time out to meditate. We’re talking pure, silent, thoughtless and open type of meditation – that’s what works best. Immerse yourself in inspirational books on a daily basis. Watch uplifting DVDs and listen to audiobooks. Spend some quiet time each day. Eat lots of blueberries, grapes and purple foods. Finally, visualize violet pouring into your chakra.

Did you notice a pattern?

There isn’t a lot of hard work to regain balance in each one of your chakras. And there’s nothing expensive about the tips provided, either. A lot of regaining balance is visualization, and eating the right color foods.

Here’s a rule of thumb to follow: when it comes to your upper chakras, use meditative techniques. When it comes to your lower chakras, do physically oriented techniques, like movement, dance and walking.  Just remember that the whole point of chakra healing is to align the energy within your body so that all the chakras work in harmony with one another.