According to believers in the chakra system of meditation and mind-body health, the life-energy of the human body flows through certain points known as chakras. There are supposed to be seven primary chakras located along the spinal cord. When one of the chakras is blocked, the life-energy cannot flow as it should, resulting in a range of problems depending on the particular chakra. The fourth chakra is associated with the heart.
The Chakras
The problems caused by a chakra blockage are supposed to vary depending on which chakra is effected. Because the chakra concept is a mind-body system, no clear distinction is drawn between psychological and physiological effects. The fourth chakra is also known as the heart chakra, so psychological problems associated with a blocked fourth chakra include an inability to form healthy romantic relationships. However, believers in this system also attribute heart-health problems to a blockage in this chakra. Because the objective existence of chakras has not been scientifically established, chakra-based therapies should never be used as a substitute for medical treatment.
Hypertension
According to Dr. Christiane Northrup, a medical doctor and holistic practitioner, hypertension or high blood pressure is associated with a blocked fourth chakra. Other medical conditions attributed to problems with the fourth chakra include heart disease, lung cancer, pneumonia and high cholesterol. Northrup says the energy flowing through this chakra can become blocked when emotions such as anger or joy are not expressed appropriately or dealt with completely. To believers in the chakra system, medical problems such as hypertension are seen as physical manifestations of the underlying energy blockage.
The Heart Chakra
Even though the heart is not responsible in any way for the emotions in physical terms, the heart chakra is still seen as the center of loving emotions by believers in the chakras. A person with a fully functional heart chakra would be capable of unconditional love and acceptance of both others and self. Medical issues such as hypertension are seen as symptoms of a deeper cause, which is an inability to freely and completely express love and acceptance.
Treatment
Whether the underlying cause of hypertension has anything to do with the chakras or not, hypertension is still a serious medical problem. Seek professional medical care for a problem like hypertension, rather than relying entirely on chakra therapies. If you have taken the appropriate steps to address the issue from a medical standpoint, you may also wish to pursue chakra therapy, depending on your beliefs. Chakra therapy for hypertension can involve treatments by an alternative healer, or actions that are thought to balance energy in the heart chakra, such as spending time in nature, forgiving a person you are angry with, or volunteering at a soup kitchen.
