Symptoms of Blocked Chakras

You’ve probably heard that having your chakras open and balanced will keep you healthy. But, how do you know if your chakras are opened or blocked?

There are several symptoms of blocked chakras that can tell you how healthy they are. Chakras always have energy flowing through them, but the quantity of this energy varies, sometimes is too much and sometimes not enough. So, when a chakra doesn’t get the right amount of energy, it gets unbalanced, and the energy flowing is blocked.

Chakras are the energy centres where all the energy from your body converges. When your chakras are opened, your emotional, mental, and physical health is magnificent. But when the energy doesn’t flow at the right frequency, your chakras get blocked, and you will start having unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms.

What Are Chakras?

Chakras are intersections of energy in your body; they locate along your spine—each chakra project towards the frontal and backside of your body. Chakras are the points where the energy coming from different parts of your body converge.

The energy channels bringing prana energy to your chakras are called Nadis. They are like an energy network through your whole body. There are 72 000 Nadis, and they connect at seven main centres, which are the chakras. 

These seven major energy centres or chakras are Root chakra, Sacral chakra, Solar plexus chakra, Heart chakra, Throat chakra, Third eye chakra, and Crown chakra.

Ancient cultures in India understood how energy flows in the body and develop methods to work with these energies. These cultures understood the body at different levels, and one of them is the energy level.

The chakra system forms part of the energy body. The energy body has a vibrational frequency that acts as your life blueprint. 

When your chakras are in balance, the energy flows at the right frequency, and when your body is out of balance, you are out of sync. The chakras may be out of balance because too much energy is passing through them, or because not enough energy flows. 

When the chakras are in balance, you are in harmony, your health is good, and life, in general, flows better. You have a balance in your life and your relationships. Your whole being is in harmony, and you can experience fulfilment. When the chakras are out of balance or blocked, you will experience emotional distress or disease.

Energy Bodies and Chakras

Your chakras are influenced by the energy that flows through your body. Different layers of energies form who you are; these are considered energy fields. 

Some traditions like Kundalini yoga consider up to 10 layers of your body knows as a Soul body, Negative mind, Positive mind, Neutral mind, Physical body, Arcline, Aura, Pranic Body, Subtle body, and Radiant body. 

Another Indian tradition called Vedanta considers five energy bodies. In this article, we reflect on these five energy bodies:

• Physical body: is sustained through food and air.
• Energy body: refers to the channels of energy that flow through your body and converge in the chakras.
• The mental body is the energy generated by the stimulus of your five senses; this reflects in your perception. 
• Wisdom body refers to the connection you have with the higher consciousness and awareness.
• Spiritual body: this body is the pure joy and bliss of your Divine essence, the manifestation of the feminine and masculine nature.

The five energy bodies interact. Imagine them as layers that overlap between them. Some energy bodies are closer to some than others.

The energy bodies interact among them through the energy flowing in them.

The energetic vibration of each energy body maintains the harmony in your body. When any of the energy bodies stop receiving the energy they need or get too much energy, they get out of balance. 

The Flow of Energy Affects the Five Energy Bodies. 

Physical changes in your body affect the way your body functions. The physical body and the energy body are closely linked together, and they interact continuously through the energy channels or Nadis. 

The physical body can affect the energy body more directly and vice versa. When you work with chakras, you are working at this level.

Your mental body processes your senses through your physical body. Your perception will make you feel something according to your experiences. So emotions and feelings will bring vast amounts of energy to your body. 

Each emotion and behaviour has a particular frequency; they carry the power of their reverberance. Some patterns of behaviour are so powerful and so difficult to change that they bring you destruction, instead of happiness. The energy generated from your perception can help you or destroy you. 

Your mental body contains all your cognitive and behavioural patterns. When you repeat these patterns over and over their energy grows, for better or for worse, bringing specific energy to the rest of the body—sometimes making your body sluggish or others overactive. 

Finally, your wisdom body contains all the information in your subconscious from all your experiences. It also has your life purpose in this lifetime.

How Do Chakras Get Blocked?

When the energy is not flowing freely through the energy channels or Nadis, the vitality of the chakras diminishes. Chakras need to have the right amount of energy flowing through to be in perfect functioning. If this is not the case, you will experience discomfort and ailments in your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies.

At a physical level, any ailment can temporarily disturb the flow of energy while the body is healing, or be blocked when the condition is chronic or acute and the body cannot re-establish the flow of energy through the cells and organs in the body.

Emotionally, our modern lifestyle and work cause stress, anxiety and depression, which can cause a massive imbalance in your chakras. When you are stressed or anxious, your energy increases, but some areas of your body tighten. When this happens, it disturbs the normal flow of life energy or prana throughout the body. 

Depression can tire you down to the point you feel without energy and will to live. The perception you have of the world will directly affect how energy moves in your body. In some cases, it will deprive your body of energy, or others give you too much, such as in addictive behaviours.

Other blockages are more subtle and caused by your actions or inactions that generate a flow of energy. Your patterns of behaviour or thinking can affect the energy flow in your body. Negative thinking attracts a particular frequency of energy that doesn’t allow the free flow of energy. 

Depending on where the block of energy happens, it will manifest in a particular chakra. Chakras need to maintain a dynamic equilibrium, where prana energy is always flowing through them.

The two sources of most prana for your body come from food and air through your breathing. Hence the importance of eating fresh organic food and learning pranayama techniques to allow the free flow of prana through the body. 

How to Know if Your Chakras Are Blocked?

When your chakras are out of balance, they can be having too much energy and be overactive. They can also have too little energy flowing and be underactive or blocked. 

The manifestations that one or more of your chakras is out of balance are physical and psychological. For example, you will experience:

• Sleeping problems
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Fear and anxiety
• Communication problems
• Feeling unloved
• Feeling lost 

Each chakra has specific symptoms that can help you understand if this particular chakra is blocked or overactive.

Symptoms of a Blocked Root Chakra

The root chakra known as Mooladhara in Sanskrit locates at the base of the spine, in the perineum.

The root chakra connects you with the base of your vital force and the Earth. The characteristics of this chakra relate to survival instincts, grounding, basic needs, stability, safety, security, and belonging.

A blocked root chakra means that the energy through this chakra is not enough or too much. We can consider it as underactive when little energy is flowing through it, or overactive if it has too much energy passing. 

The Emotional Symptoms of a Blocked Underactive Root Chakra:

• Anxiety
• Fear
• Negativity
• Insecurity
• Disconnection with your body

The Emotional Symptoms of a Blocked Overactive Root Chakra:

• Anger
• Frustration
• Short temper
• Aggression
• Possessiveness
• Obsessive behaviour
• Money issues
• Having attachment issues about your job, a relationship, or a routine. 
• Feeling stuck

The Physical Symptoms of a Blocked Root Chakra Are:

• Problems with your colon, bladder, lower back, legs and feet.

A Balanced Root Chakra Manifests as:

• Being grounded.
• Having the capacity to sustain yourself.
• Feeling confident in your capabilities to provide your basic needs.
• Making decisions with ease.
• Having a prosperous life.

Symptoms of a Blocked Sacral Chakra

The sacral chakra known as Swdhisthana locates below the navel in the pelvic area. The sacral chakra connects you with your creativity and sexual energy. 

The characteristics of this chakra are related to having healthy relationships with emotional connection, being creative, inspired and enjoying life.  

The symptoms of a block sacral chakra mean that if your chakra is not having enough energy passing through, it’s underactive. If too much energy passes through it, it’s overactive. 

Emotional Symptoms of a Blocked Underactive Sacral Chakra:

• Low self-esteem and self-worth.
• Apathetic.
• Being uninspired.
• Mood swings.
• Unable to express emotions.

Emotional Symptoms of a Blocked Overactive Sacral Chakra:

• Emotional attachment to people. 
• Dramatic behaviour.
• Emotionally unbalanced.
• Addiction-like behaviours: e.g. too much sex.
• Lack of personal boundaries.

Physical Symptoms of a Blocked Sacral Chakra

You will experience problems with your reproductive organs, menstrual disorders in women, sexual dysfunction, problems with your urinary system, spleen, and lower back. 

A Healthy and Balanced Sacral Chakra Manifests as Follows:

• Having a good connection with others.
• Enjoying new experiences.
• Being independent.
• Self-discipline.
• Having healthy boundaries in your relationships.
• Being ok with change.

Symptoms of a Blocked Solar Plexus Chakra

The solar plexus chakra known as Manipura in Sanskrit locates above your navel area and below the diaphragm. 

The solar plexus chakra is the source of your inner power and self-esteem. This chakra characteristics relate to your self-confidence, and your abilities to be in control of your life.

The symptoms of a blocked solar plexus chakra mean that if your chakra is not having enough energy passing through, it’s underactive. If too much energy passes through, it’s overactive. 

Emotional Symptoms of a Blocked Underactive Solar Plexus Chakra:

• Being passive.
• Indecisive.
• Having low self-esteem.
• Being unable to make decisions.
• Fear.
• Anxiety.
• Lack of purpose.

Emotional Symptoms of a Blocked Overactive Solar Plexus Chakra:

• Aggression.
• Anger.
• Being over-critical and judgemental.
• Being dominating.

Physical Symptoms of a Blocked Solar Plexus Chakra:

• Problems with your spine, spleen, upper abdomen; ulcers, digestive system and metabolism.

A Balanced Solar Plexus Chakra

A balanced solar plexus chakra manifests as:

• Trusting yourself and your abilities.
• Being decisive.
• Being confident.

Symptoms of a Blocked Heart Chakra

The heart chakra known as Anahata in Sanskrit is in the heart region.

The heart chakra is the union between the lower chakras with the upper chakras, representing the union of your physical and spiritual self.

The characteristics of the heart chakra relate to giving and receiving love. When the heart chakra is open, you can feel love, joy, inner peace, and compassion.

The symptoms of a blocked heart chakra are caused by the lack of energy passing through making it underactive, or by having too much energy passing, making it overactive. 

Emotional Symptoms of a Blocked Underactive Heart Chakra:

• Loneliness.
• Depression.
• Distance.
• Unable to connect emotionally with others.
• Grief.
• Fear.
• Resentment.

Emotional Symptoms of a Blocked Overactive Heart Chakra:

• Jealousy.
• Anger.
• Judgemental.
• Hatred.
• Suffocating and clingy.
• Unable to set boundaries in your relationships.

Physical Symptoms of a Blocked of a Heart Chakra

A blocked heart chakra’s physical symptoms manifest as problems with the heart, circulatory system, lungs, and respiratory issues.

A Balanced Heart Chakra Manifest as:

• Being loving.
• Having healthy boundaries in your relationships.
• Loving yourself and others.
• Being at peace with yourself and others.
• Being compassionate.

Symptoms of a Blocked Throat Chakra

The throat chakra known as Vishuddhi in Sanskrit locates at the neck and throat area. 

The throat chakra connects you with your ability to speak your truth. The characteristics of this chakra relate to your voice, communication and expression. 

The symptoms of a blocked throat chakra are because the chakra is underactive if it doesn’t have enough energy passing through, or because it has too much energy passing through, then it’s overactive. 

Emotional Symptoms of a Blocked Underactive Throat Chakra:

• Introversion.
• Shyness.
• Inability to express your needs and feelings.
• Fear of public speaking.
• Afraid of judgement.

Emotional Symptoms of a Blocked Overactive Throat Chakra:

• Talking too much.
• Unable to hear others.
• Overcritical.
• Being defensive.

Physical Symptoms of a Blocked Throat Chakra:

• Pain in the neck area.
• Weak voice.
• Metabolism problems.
• Frequent sore throats.
• Tension headaches.
• Neck and shoulder tension.

A Balanced Throat Chakra Manifests as:

• You can speak about your needs and feelings.
• You can communicate clearly and effectively.
• You have a powerful voice.
• You can express yourself to others.

Symptoms of a Blocked Third Eye Chakra

The third-eye chakra known as Ajna in Sanskrit locates in between your eyebrows. 

The third-eye chakra connects to your intuition, perception, imagination, memory, inner wisdom, and decision making. It also joins your higher and lower self with your intuitive clarity. 

The symptoms of a blocked third eye chakra mean your chakra is either not having enough energy passing through, we consider it underactive. If it has too much energy passing through, it’s overactive. 

Emotional Symptoms of a Blocked Underactive Third Eye Chakra:

• Inability to trust your intuition.
• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Introversion.
• Dismissive.
• Being judgemental.
• Being close-minded.
• Being afraid of the future.
• Inability to trust yourself or others.

Emotional Symptoms of a Blocked Overactive Third Eye Chakra:

• Nightmares.
• Hallucinations.
• Visions.
• Living in your imagination.
• Inability to focus.

Physical Symptoms of a Blocked Third Eye Chakra:

• Headaches.
• Dizziness.
• Vision problems.
• Memory issues.

A Balanced Third Eye Chakra

A balanced third eye chakra manifests as: 

• Trusting your intuition.
• Being able to focus.
• Being able to make decisions based on your inner wisdom.
• Seeing yourself as part of the universe and the higher consciousness.

Symptoms of a Blocked Crown Chakra

The crown chakra known as Sahasrara in Sanskrit locates at the top of the head. 

The crown chakra is the meeting point where your physical body and individual consciousness meets a higher state of universal consciousness. 

A blocked crown chakra’s symptoms mean that if your chakra is not having enough energy passing through, it’s underactive. On the contrary, if it has too much energy passing, it’s overactive. 

Emotional Symptoms of an Underactive Blocked Crown Chakra:

• Closed-minded.
• Lack of purpose in life.
• Inability to set goals in your life.
• Depression.
• Lack of motivation.
• Feeling abandoned. 

Emotional Symptoms of an Overactive Blocked Crown Chakra:

• Neglect of your physical needs. 
• Concentrating only on the spiritual part of your life. 
• Isolation.
• Disconnection with the physical world.
• Lack of empathy.
• Stressed.

Physical Symptoms of a Blocked Crown Chakra

Physical symptoms of a blocked crown chakra manifest with the following problems:

• Physical coordination.
• Chronic headaches.

A Balanced Crown Chakra

A balanced crown chakra manifests as follows:

• Experiencing spiritual growth and connection with the universe.
• Finding meaning in life.
• Being empathetic.
• Being in a blissful state.
• Being grateful with yourself and the universe.

Conclusion

Hopefully, by now, you have a better idea on how to recognise the symptoms you may have when your chakras are blocked. It’s important to recognise if the blockage in your chakra is caused by overactivity or underactivity.

Once you know if one of your chakras is overactive or underactive, you can bring them back to balance with different therapies. Usually, there is more than one chakra unbalance at a time. When a chakra is blocked, it affects the energy flow to the other chakras.

For this reason, when you plan to balance your chakras, you will have to work with all of them. You can bring your chakras into balance through several therapies such as crystal healing, essential oils, asanas, mantras, mudras, yantras, pranayama, meditation, affirmations, among others.

Keeping your chakras in balance is a journey that you embark every day. Be grateful to yourself for taking the time and care to start this journey.

Frequently Asked Questions