The physical body is your anchor point in the tangible world. It is the visual manifestation of all that you are, strengthened and protected by what is referred to as the energy body surrounding it.

This energy body, called prana in India, qi in China, mana in Polynesia and ki in Japan, can be defined as a series of systems outside the body that give energy to the physical body. Visually, the energy body is often depicted as a halo around the physical body that closely follows the body’s outline. The energy body could be said to resemble a cocoon of protection drawing energy from the universe to stimulate and revitalise the systems of the physical body.

A clear and free-flowing energy body is necessary for the physical body to be able to function at its peak, allowing us to maintain a sense of wellbeing and healthy body functions. There are a number of layers or systems associated with the energy body but the ones most clearly linked to physical wellbeing are the chakras and meridians identified and defined by eastern wisdom.

The chakras

The seven major chakras vitalise the physical body and are located up and down the physical body’s midline. When blocked they can cause illness or pain in specific parts of the body. Each chakra is said to govern a different area or areas of the physical body, making diagnosis of the site of a blockage easier for practitioners. Intimate knowledge of the way the chakras work can also help you to keep track of your wellbeing in a meaningful way.

The chakras are defined by the parts of the body they govern and the symptoms you may have if an energy block occurs. For example, the first chakra is the root chakra located at the base of your spine. If this chakra is blocked, the physical symptoms you might experience include lower-back pain, sciatica, varicose veins, rectal tumours and immune-related disorders. This chakra governs the spinal column, kidneys, legs, feet, rectum and immune system.

The next chakra, the sacral chakra, is located between the lower abdomen and the navel. If blocked you may experience lower-back pain, sciatica, obstetric or gynaecological problems, pelvic pain, issues with your libido or urinary problems. This chakra governs your sexual organs, stomach, upper intestines, liver, gall bladder, kidney, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen and the middle of your spine.

Chakra three is the solar plexus chakra and it is located in the solar plexus. A blockage can cause stomach ulcers, intestinal tumours, diabetes, pancreatitis, indigestion, anorexia/bulimia, hepatitis, cirrhosis, adrenal imbalances, arthritis and colon diseases. This chakra governs the upper abdomen, umbilicus to rib cage, liver, gall bladder, middle spine, spleen, kidney, adrenals, small intestines and stomach.

The fourth chakra is the heart chakra. It is, as the name suggests, located at the heart and can cause heart conditions, asthma, lung and breast cancers, thoracic spine, pneumonia, upper back and shoulder problems if blocked. Along with the heart it governs the heart, circulatory system, blood, lungs, rib cage, diaphragm, thymus, breasts, oesophagus, shoulders, arms and hands.

The throat chakra is the fifth chakra and again, as the name suggests, it is located at the throat. It can cause throat and mouth ulcers, scoliosis, swollen glands, thyroid dysfunctions, laryngitis, voice problems as well as gum and teeth problems if blocked. It governs the throat, thyroid, trachea, neck vertebrae, mouth, teeth, gums, oesophagus, parathyroid and hypothalamus.

The sixth chakra is the brow or third eye chakra located on the forehead. If it is blocked you may experience brain tumours, strokes, blindness, deafness, seizures, learning disabilities or spinal dysfunctions. It governs the brain, neurological system, eyes, ears, nose, pituitary and pineal glands.

The last major chakra is the crown chakra, located on the top of the head. If it is blocked you could experience diseases of the muscular system, skeletal system and the skin, chronic exhaustion or sensitivity to light, sound and your environment. It governs the top centre of the head and the midline above the ears.

The meridians

The other system to directly affect physical wellbeing contains the meridians. These meridians run deep within you, carrying energy throughout the body. A disturbance in the transportation of this energy can cause physical illness and disease.

The ancient Chinese identified 12 major meridians, naming them after their functions. They are the lung, large intestine, spleen, stomach, heart, small intestine, kidney, bladder, heart constrictor, triple heater, liver and gall bladder meridians. Between them they cover the entire body’s physical systems, keeping the body in balance. If blockages occur and the body’s balance is upset, the meridian points located along these channels can be stimulated.

Energy blockage

So how do these energy blockages occur? How does your energy body become toxic? The physical body is fragile and is impacted by both external and internal triggers, causing energy to stagnate. These triggers are most often caused by emotional and mental upsets but environmental stressors, poor nutrition, illness and disease also impact on the effective functioning of the physical and energy bodies.

When the physical body experiences any of these triggers, the energy flow begins to dilute, resulting in physical symptoms such as pain, inefficiency in the body’s systems and damage to internal organs. While the blockage directly affects the area where it occurs, energy flow can also be interrupted to other parts of the body, affecting other organs and systems and creating a downward spiral in the overall quality of your health.

While Western medicine will treat any illness or disease in a direct and focused manner, there has to be a definitive illness or disease to treat. Unfortunately, a clear reason for symptoms of illness cannot always be made so those suffering from conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, general feelings of malaise or “unwellness” cannot be readily assisted. Energy body healing can provide relief in these and more clearly defined instances of illness and disease through therapies that treat the whole body and its linking systems.