21 Symptoms Of A Blocked Throat Chakra And How To Unblock It

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What is the throat chakra?

Throat chakra location

What color is the throat chakra?

Blocked throat chakra symptoms

Physical symptoms of a blocked throat chakra

Emotional symptoms of a blocked throat chakra

Why is my throat chakra blocked?

Throat chakra opening symptoms

Physical symptoms of throat chakra opening

Emotional symptoms of throat chakra opening

How to unblock your throat chakra

Final Thoughts

What is the throat chakra?

The throat chakra is the fifth energy center in the human body—located at the base of the throat. It is the bridge between the lower chakras which root us in our bodies and the upper chakras which connect us to our higher selves.

Each of the different chakras plays a different role in the body and in our spiritual experience. The throat chakra is the energy center responsible for communication, creativity, clarity, and responsibility. With an open throat chakra, self-expression and personal advocation become much easier.

The throat chakra, also called the Vishuddha Chakra, is associated with the element of ether—also known as space or “Akasha”. “Vishuddha” means “clarity” and the ether is the expansive nothingness that is omnipresent and holds within it the all-knowingness of the universe and your true self. The throat chakra is akin to the ether in that within it lies the power to understand and express your authentic self—mind, body, and spirit.

Throat chakra location

As its name implies, the throat chakra is located at the base of the throat. The seven chakras span the human body from the base of the spine to the top of the head. The throat chakra is the fifth of the seven energy chakras and bridges the energetic connection between the lower chakras (root chakra, sacral chakra, solar plexus chakra, and heart chakra) and upper chakras (third eye chakra and crown chakra). 

Internally, the Vishuddha chakra helps to integrate what we experience in our physical bodies with how we interpret our experience spiritually. Outwardly, the power of the fifth chakra is expressed through verbal communication. The location of the throat chakra explains why many symptoms of a blocked throat chakra have to do with communication or physical pain in the throat.

What color is the throat chakra?

The throat chakra is associated with the color blue. It’s thought that incorporating the color blue in your life may help to keep your throat chakra open. This could include keeping blue gemstones like lapis lazuli nearby, meditating on a blue sky, or even just adding more blue to your wardrobe.

Blocked throat chakra symptoms

A blocked throat chakra may manifest in a variety of symptoms including both physical and emotional. If you frequently experience discomfort in your throat, jaw, and mouth it could be a sign that your throat chakra needs a little TLC. Likewise, if you have a hard time using your voice to say what you want to say, or to express your wants and needs, this may also be a symptom of a blocked throat chakra.

As you read these common symptoms of a blocked throat chakra, keep in mind that caring for your chakras is not an alternative to seeking out medical help when necessary. Some of these physical and emotional symptoms could, of course, be indications of other, more serious concerns.

Physical symptoms of a blocked throat chakra

1. Sore throat (especially chronic sore throat)

A sore throat is probably the most well-known symptom of a blocked throat chakra and chronic sore throats can be a good indicator this “bridge” chakra is closed off.

2. Mouth and tongue ulcers (canker sores)

A blocked throat chakra is an indicator that you’re not using your voice authentically – this stifling of the natural flow of energy in your mouth can lead to blisters and ulcers on your mouth and tongue.

3. Laryngitis

Laryngitis is inflammation of your voice box and can be a symptom of a throat chakra blockage.

4. Thyroid issues

Perhaps a lesser-known symptom, thyroid issues can be an indication of a blocked throat chakra and can lead to hormone issues, anxiety, fatigue and other imbalances.

5. Jaw pain

Jaw pain is a common symptom of a blocked throat chakra since you may be tensing your jaw in an effort to hold back from speaking your personal truth.

6. TMJ (temporomandibular joints) Disorder

Sometimes jaw pain is an indication of TMJ – another possible symptom of a blocked throat chakra.

7. A raspy, hoarse, weak, or cracking voice

Again, since a blocked throat chakra comes from a lack of clear, honest communication, you may experience a raspy or hoarse throat as a symptom along with voice cracks and. This is a physical manifestation of the powerlessness you’re feeling.

8. Tension pain in jaw, neck, and shoulders

Along with clenching your jaw, you may find yourself with a stiff neck and shoulders if your throat chakra is blocked. This stiffness can lead shoulder pain and tension in your upper body.

9. Headaches

Clenching the muscles surrounding and including your throat as one does with a closed throat chakra can lead to tension headaches.

10. Dental issues

A blocked throat chakra interrupts the flow of energy in your body and can cause physical signs of dis-ease (disease) in your body including dental issues.

Emotional Symptoms of a blocked throat chakra

11. Fear of speaking your truth

If you are fearful of opening up and speaking your personal truth, chances are you have a closed throat chakra.

12. Disharmonious relationships

It’s difficult to maintain close and vulnerable relationships when your communication is suffering. You may experience a disconnect in your relationships if you have a blocked throat chakra.

13. Difficulty expressing yourself and your feelings

A blocked throat chakra means there is a break in the connection between your higher self and your physical body – this can make it difficult to understand and express your emotions.

14. Anxiety around speaking or communicating

If you get anxious about the idea of speaking up or having potentially difficult conversations, it may be a sign that your throat chakra is blocked.

15. Critical inner voice

Because of the disconnect from your spirit guide, or your higher self, that is the result of a blocked throat chakra, you may notice more negative-self talk from your inner voice. That’s because you’re tapped into your “egoic” mind rather than your “spiritual” mind.

16. Critical judgment of others

Like the critical inner voice, you may notice with a closed throat chakra that you become more critical of other as well. Again, this is because you’re disconnected from your higher being and trapped in the thinking of your egoic, or Earthly mind.

17. Lack of creative ideas

Creative ideas come from the ether. Since the ether is the element of the throat chakra, it stands to reason that when your throat chakra is blocked, you’re cut off from your well of creativity.

18. Low self-esteem

The critical self-talk that comes from a blocked throat chakra can begin to wear you down and chip away at your confidence. A lack of self-esteem may be a symptom of a closed throat chakra.

12. Fear of judgment

Because a blocked throat chakra makes vulnerable communication nearly impossible, it’s easy to feel as if everyone is out to get you or judge you. Be aware that a fear of judgment could be a sign of a blocked throat chakra.

20. Disconnection from your higher self

The throat chakra acts as the bridge between your lower chakras that are associated with your physical body, and your upper chakras that are associated with your higher self. A blocked throat chakra will make it nearly impossible to integrate the information from your higher self into your physical reality.

Social anxiety

It stands to reason that feeling disconnect from and judged by others may make it uncomfortable to surround yourself with people. Social anxiety could be the result of a closed throat chakra and the resulting discomfort you feel with yourself and others.

Why is my throat chakra blocked?

If your throat chakra is blocked, it’s likely a sign that you haven’t been true to yourself in your communication.

If you recognize the symptoms of throat discomfort, difficulty in communication, or disconnection from your higher self, you may have a blocked throat chakra. Before we look at how to unblock your throat chakra, let’s talk about why your throat chakra may be blocked in the first place.

The chakra system has a delicate balance and any of seven of the chakras can get blocked when the energy flow of your body is interrupted. Then, in an infinite feedback loop, these blocked energy centers make it difficult for your body’s flow of energy to return to normal. That’s why it’s so important to be aware of your chakras and ensure that they are open and allowing energy to always flow freely.

Since your Vishuddha, or throat chakra is the bridge between your physical body and your spiritual connection, a blockage happens when there is disconnect between those two forces.

Do you find yourself biting your tongue and staying quiet even when a part of you wants to speak up? Do you find yourself agreeing with things you don’t really align with? If you are using your voice in a way that doesn’t align with your authentic self or you’re not using it to express your inner truth, you are inhibiting the natural flow of energy in your body and blocking your fifth chakra.

Throat chakra opening symptoms

When you unblock your throat chakra, you may experience a range of symptoms including relief from the symptoms of a blocked throat chakra, along with other unexpected improvements. There are both physical and emotional symptoms of the throat chakra opening. Throat chakra healing can be a unique experience for each person, but here are some of the most common symptoms.

Physical symptoms of throat chakra opening

The physical symptoms of the throat chakra opening include better throat and mouth health, a stronger voice, and a desire to eat more chakra-supporting foods. Here are a few of the specific physical imbalances you may experience with a healthy throat chakra.

1. Fewer sore throats
2. Less jaw pain
3. Fewer tension headaches
4. Improved thyroid (hormonal) health
5. A stronger voice
6. A desire to eat more tree fruits

Emotional symptoms of throat chakra opening

The emotional symptoms of the throat chakra opening are centered around a more positive self-view and more clear communication. Here are some of the specific symptoms you may experience when you experience throat chakra healing and your throat chakra opens.

1. Better listening skills
2. Better communication skills
3. You feel more heard when you speak
4. Fewer frustrating conversations
5. Fewer negative emotions
6. More positive self-talk
7. A surge of creativity
8. A need for honesty
9. Better connection with your intuition
10. A desire to sing/whistle/hum more often
11. Improved self-esteem and confidence
12. Renewed sense of purpose
13. Less social anxiety
14. Increased self-awareness
15. Improved listening skills
16. Easier Manifestation

How To Unblock Your Throat Chakra

Now that you know how to recognize the signs that your throat chakra is blocked and you know what to look for when it opens, it’s time to start your chakra healing journey. Improving your chakra health and energy flow in your body can be a very empowering part of your personal growth. I hope these tips help you open your throat chakra, get in touch with your true feelings, and improve your communication.

Use Essential Oils

Frankincense, jasmine, and peppermint oil are all thought to help open the throat chakra. Frankincense may help balance the thyroid, peppermint is good for relieving tension and congestion, and jasmine is used to help with a hoarse voice.

Practice Yoga Asanas

Yoga asanas just mean poses in yoga. Each pose can help bring balance and restoration to our bodies and chakra system. Plow Pose (Halasana) is one of the yoga poses thought to be most beneficial in opening the throat chakra.

Keep throat chakra stones

Throat chakra stones are blue gemstones that are thought to keep the Vishuddha chakra open and improve communication. Some examples of throat chakra stones you might consider wearing, placing on your throat region during meditation, or keeping nearby, are:

1. Aquamarine

It’s easy to look at aquamarine and understand its connection to the throat chakra with it’s clarity and seeming endlessness—just like the ether, the element of the fifth chakra. Aquamarine is thought to help ease anxiety around communication and connect you to your true self.

2. Lapis lazuli

Lapis lazuli is sort of the traditionally recognized throat chakra stone. It’s thought to channel spiritual energy into creativity, clarity, and eloquence.

3. Larimar

Larimar is thought to connect to the heart chakra and third eye chakras as well – potentially making it an especially powerful ally in your spiritual journey.

Meditate

Mediation is one of the best ways to unblock your throat chakra. A body scan meditation is the practice of bringing your attention to the internal feeling of your body. You can use this inner body awareness to tap into each of your seven chakras and clear any blockages.

For a throat chakra meditation, you may also focus on the image of blue light filling your throat area and expanding throughout your whole body and beyond. This type of visualization with the color blue, the color of the Vishuddha chakra, can be a powerful chakra opener.

Speak Your Truth

Since the fifth chakra is the energy center for authentic communication, one way to unblock your throat chakra is by speaking your truth. You can restore the flow of energy by being honest and firm with your communication.

Do neck stretches

It may sound simple, but the throat chakra is simply and energy center. For that reason, restoring flow of energy to the area through gentle movement like neck stretches make help open the throat chakra.

Practice breathwork

Breathwork is an excellent way to tap into the energy of the throat chakra and restore balance to a blocked vishuddha chakra. Lion’s Breath, in particular, is great way to connect with the natural, primal power of your voice.

Use a throat chakra mantra

Any mantra that you say aloud will be helpful in opening your throat chakra since it’s an empowered way to use your voice. The Gayatri, Sat Nam, and So Hum mantras may be particularly helpful.

Read or sing out aloud

Using your true voice in all of its glory is a sure-fire way to help open your throat chakra. If your throat chakra has been blocked for a while, you’re probably not used to speaking up or vocalizing in an empowered way. Even reading or singing aloud can be a good first step to opening your throat chakra.

Use positive affirmations

Positive affirmations are an empowered use of your voice and have the power to change your mindset and help build your confidence, connection to your higher self, and self-awareness. All of these factors make positive affirmations a great tool in your throat chakra healing.

(Related: 30 Affirmations For Introverts With Self-Doubt)

Final Thoughts

Realigning your seven chakras is an important part of spiritual health. Never forget that the world needs your authentic voice. Your truth has the power to change lives — especially your own! Now that you can recognize the symptoms of a closed throat chakra, hopefully it will become easier to monitor your chakra health and keep communication flowing in your life.

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