Healing for Sexual Violence

Chakra Healing

Throughout my life and professional practice, I have developed an interest in complementary or alternative healing practices. These healing practices often include body-based approaches such as massage, acupuncture, Reiki, craniosacral therapy (CST) and more. In my own healing journey, I acknowledged that traditional healing practices were helpful, but did not fully attend to my holistic needs. For myself, I integrate a variety of these approaches to support me in maintaining my holistic wellness. Complementary and alternative healing approaches can be an empowering addition to traditional healing practice (psychotherapy) as it shifts the power of healing onto the survivor, while attending to a greater breadth of needs. If you are interested in learning more about one of my favourite alternative practices, keep reading! 

What is Chakra Healing?

Chakras healing is an alternative healing practice which is aimed to balance the energy flow within the body. It is also commonly known as ‘Energy Healing’ and is associated with healing practise such as Reiki, massage therapy and acupuncture. Chakra healing is a holistic approach to wellness as it seeks to address physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. The 7 main chakras incorporated into chakra healing are the root chakra, the sacral chakra, the solar plexus/navel chakra, the heart chakra, the throat chakra, the third eye chakra, and the crown chakra. 

Chakras are energy centres throughout the physical body where emotions and experiences such as sexual violence transform into our state of health. Because trauma can be stored within the body, many survivors of sexual violence experience ongoing physical symptoms as well as social, emotional and spiritual challenges. When the chakras or flow of energy is balanced within us, our optimal holistic health is achieved. All chakras are interconnected to each other. If the flow of energy is blocked in one area, all other chakras will be impacted.

Each of the 7 main chakras corresponds with a specific colour, physical and emotional attributes. Chakra healing can entail the use of specific aromatherapy, gentle movements, specific stone/crystal, affirmations, grounding techniques, mindfulness tools and guided mediation.

Chakra Healing and Sexual Violence

No single psychological approach or pharmaceutical intervention is likely to fully address the trauma related distress associated with sexual violence. Surviving sexual violence can impact a person holistically; physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Therefore, for some a holistic approach to healing is most effective. Chakra healing can be used in combination with contemporary models such as group therapy, individuals counselling and medication. 

Benefits of Chakra Healing:

Ø Empowering: allows survivor to play a central role in their healing journey while re-establishing relationship between the body, mind and spirit

Ø Non-invasive: does not require chemical intervention or re-living of traumatic event/experience of sexual violence

Ø Inexpensive: many of the techniques can be practiced for free or at low cost (affirmations, grounding techniques, self-body massage, aromatherapy)

When can I practice Chakra Healing?

Chakra healing may be incorporated into your life in whatever capacity fits your lifestyle, needs and comfort level. It can be implemented as a part of your daily self-care routine and used as frequently or little as you feel comfortable. 

Root Chakra

The root chakra is located at the base of the spine and is physically associated with genitalia. Therefore, this chakra is often directly impacted as a result of sexual assault. 

The root chakra is connected to our ability to feel ‘rooted’, grounded and safe. This chakra is disrupted because of sexual violence when feelings of dissociation are experienced during or ongoing after the assault. Dissociation decreases the ability to stay present with the body and notice physical sensations. Further, sexual violence can dramatically damage the way in which we perceive our safety in the world, which causes disruption in the root chakra.

Healing the Root Chakra:

Ø Work toward repairing sense of security by establishing rooted connections with nature

Ø Balance energy flow through massaging gluteal muscles, legs and feet

Ø Use of associated healing crystals; ruby, jasper, garnet

Ø Use of associated essential oils; patchouli, frankincense

Sacral Chakra

The Sacral Chakra is located at the lower abdomen and corresponds with ovaries and the spleen. This chakra is where feelings of shame and self-blame are harboured and then perpetuated by rape culture within our society. 

The sacral chakra is linked to our emotions, creativity, adaptability and sensuality.Dissociation may also manifest by the survivor feeling disconnected from their emotions. Like the root chakra, although dissociation is an effective way for the body to protect itself during an assault, prolonged dissociation can create dysfunctional energy patterns in our body, creating other toxic impacts.

Healing the Sacral Chakra:

Ø Allow for the expression of anger, grief and loss these emotions are often negated by social norms and rape culture

Ø Massaging the iliopsoas muscle helps to release tension in the hips

Ø Healing crystals; topaz, selenite, milky quartz 

Ø Essential oils; clove, orange, juniper, rosemary

Solar Plexus Chakra/Navel Chakra

The Solar Plexus Chakra is located above the navel and corresponds with adrenals, pancreas and the stomach. The body’s response to the trauma of sexual violence can result in increased adrenal gland functioning which releases adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormone). Long term, these hormones can have toxic impacts on the body.

This chakra is connected to our sense of identity, boundaries and sense of personal power. All of these areas may be damaged by sexual violence and can have lasting impacts on our social, emotional, mental and physical wellbeing if left unattended to. 

Healing the Solar Plexus Chakra:

Ø Focus on promoting healthy boundaries for all aspects of self (interpersonal, physical, occupational)

Ø Massaging the abdomen in a clockwise direction to promote waste elimination and improves overall internal organ functioning

Ø Healing crystals; yellow jasper, tiger’s eye, citrine

Ø Essential oils; lemon, peppermint, yarrow 

Heart Chakra

The Heart Chakra is located at the centre of the breast bone and corresponds to the thymus, heart and circulation. The thymus plays a central role in the immune system. Therefore, disruptions to the thymus can cause broad reaching physical ailments.

The heart chakra is most intimately connected with interpersonal relationships. Frequently, survivors of sexual violence experience some difficulty building trust in relationships. This can be attributed to the fact that the trauma of sexual violence impacts perceptions around connection. 

Healing the Heart Chakra:

Ø Practice self-compassion and self-care

Ø Massaging upper back and pectoral muscles 

Ø Healing crystals; rose quartz, red calcite, malachite

Ø Essential oils; basil, rose, rosewood

Throat Chakra

The Throat Chakra is located at the base of the neck and corresponds to the thyroid, lungs, ears, nose and throat. This chakra is connected to our ability to communicate. For survivors who have not had a voice to disclose their experience of sexual violence may deal with interruptions in the flow of energy starting with their throat and between the rest of the chakras. 

The throat chakra is an integral piece of healing for sexual violence as many survivors have been silenced, not believed or discouraged from sharing their experience altogether. This silence can be isolating and result in various other social and emotional detrimental implications.

Healing the Throat Chakra:

Ø Work towards breaking patterns of over and under expressing by achieving balance through the use of singing, writing, art

Ø Massaging the neck and following up to the base of the head

Ø Healing crystals; blue lace agate, turquoise, lepidolite 

Ø Essential oils; lemongrass, sage, blue chamomile 

Third Eye Chakra

The Third Eye Chakra is located above and between the physical eyes and corresponds to the eyes and pituitary gland. This chakra is not directly implicated by sexual violence yet it can be linked to the emergence of dissociative patterns.Survivors may seek to escape their experience through avoidance or coping strategies such as substance use. Substance use and addiction can further negate a survivor being aware of the physical reactions their body is experiencing. This can result in further disconnection between the body, mind and spirit.

Healing the Third Eye Chakra:

Ø Practicing grounding activities 

Ø Massaging jaw, temples and nasal sinuses 

Ø Healing crystals; moonstone, fluorite, amethyst  

Ø Essential oils; spruce, lavender, clary sage

Crown Chakra

The Crown Chakra is located at the top, back of the head and corresponds with the pineal and pituitary glands. This chakra is deeply connected to our sense of spirituality. Similar to the third eye chakra, the crown chakra is not directly impacted by sexual violence. However, because all the chakras are interconnected, survivors may experience symptoms associated with energy disruptions in the crown chakras as a result of sexual violence. This can include feelings of mental fogginess, difficulty sleeping and an increase in fear-based reactions.

Healing the Crown Chakra:

Ø Practicing grounding techniques

Ø Massaging scalp and incorporating gentle hair pulls

Ø Healing crystals; purple agate, fluorite, clear quartz 

Ø Essential oils; myrrh, sandalwood, geranium 

Video Resources

Chakra Cleansing and Activating Guided Meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1xwtA6C2DQ

Balancing your Chakras with Healing Energy -Guided Mediation:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1TGCDSpPFE

Chakras: 7 minute tune-up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8kwc1lkiAQ

References

Bonanno, G. A. & Mancini, A.D. (2012). Beyond resilience and PTSD: Mapping the heterogeneity of responses to potential trauma. Psychological Trauma, 4(1), 74-83.

Bottrell, D. (2009). Understanding ‘marginal’ perspectives: towards a social theory of resilience. Qualitative Social Work, 8(3), 321-340.

Cyrulnik, B. (2011). Resilience. How your inner strength can set you free from the past. (Trans. D. Macey). New York: Penguin. 

Judith, A. (1999). Wheels of life: A user’s guide to the chakra system. Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications

M. (2009, October 28). The 7 Chakras for Beginners. Retrieved June 05, 2017, from https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-91/The-7-Chakras-for-Beginners.html

Milne, H. (1998). The heart of listening: A visionary approach to Craniosacaral work: Anatomy, technique, transcendence. (2nd ed.) California: North Atlantic Books

Ramirez, M. (2015). Healing Arts & Sexual Trauma. Retrieved June 05, 2017, from http://www.thebreathenetwork.org/healing-arts-modalities-sexual-trauma

Ungar, M, (2013). Resilience, trauma, context and culture. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 14(3), 253-264. doi: 10.1177/1524838013487805