Chakra acupuncture combines the wisdom of ancient Indian medical knowledge and Chinese acupuncture. In Indian traditional medicine (such as Ayurvedic medicine), the chakras are seven key energy centers. The word comes from the Sanskrit for wheel of light. In contemporary alternative therapies the two systems have been usefully combined, both in reaching a diagnosis and in treatment. Aromatherapy and the use of essential oils add a third level to this way of healing.
Indian and Ayruvedic medicine recognize seven main chakras, though these seven are just the most important among many energy points in the body. The seven key chakras are aligned vertically, along the spine, from the groin to the top of the head. On the head are the crown and third eye chakras. Further important chakras are located in the throat, the heart, spleen and solar plexus regions. The final chakra is the root chakra, located in the groin area. The chakras are foci of spiritual energy that can be correlated with the organs that are important in the Chinese philosophy of medicine. Each chakra is linked to different spiritual energies. For example, the second, third and fifth chakras relate to sexuality, spiritual vitality, individual power and creative achievement respectively.
The chakras are not only concerned with the flow of energy in the body but also with mediating positive and negative energy from the surrounding environment, that affects physical, emotional and spiritual health. Chakra imbalances are caused by stress, illness, poor nutrition and social and spiritual problems, amongst other things. Similarly to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is concerned both with energy locations and the flow of energy, or qi, along channels or meridians. Yin and yang are the positive and negative forces of qi. Both acupuncture and the chakra circulatory system aim to restore balance, to release energy blockages and boost qi.
Chakra acupuncture brings together the power of the two systems. Acupuncture needles inserted at the chakra locations are believed to achieve the aim of revitalizing the life forces and unblocking the energy channels.
The philosophy of aromatherapy, using essential oils, complements Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine still further. The oil can be inhaled, applied to the hands or feet, matched to the particular chakra that needs re-balancing or simply placed within the patients energy field. The specific oil used may also be chosen according to principles of color therapy, with different colors corresponding to different chakras and their particular energies. Different oils also have differing energizing effects.
Chakra healing with acupuncture and aromatherapy brings together different but complementary systems of healing to improve diagnosis and maximize the effects of treatment, without recourse to drugs. It is a holistic way of restoring physical function as well as emotional and spiritual equilibrium.
