Chromotherapy
From ArticleWorld
Chromotherapy is also known as colorology, or color therapy. In this alternative medicine, therapists use color and light to balance physical, emotional, spiritual or mental energies that our bodies are lacking.
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What do chromotherapists do?
Chormotherapists believe that colors bring emotional reactions in people and use the Luscher’s color test as a diagnosis. The test was developed by Dr. Max Luscher in the early 20th century.
Chromotherapists apply color and light to specific area and pressure points on one’s body. Specific colors — and accurate amounts of these colors — are deemed critical for healing. Tools used in the application of colors include gemstones, candles, wands, prisms, fabrics, lenses and more. Chormotherapy is often combined with hydrotherapy and aromatherapy.
Disadvantages
Although there is little risk of health problems from chromotherapy, some critics claim that chromotherapy is a quack therapy; a pseudoscience. They site insufficient evidence of the existence of energy fields and chakras that therapists say they manipulate. It has never been proved in randomized, controlled trials.
History
A number of findings show that color and light have been used to treat ailments for thousands of years. Color therapy may be rooted in Ayurveda; yet others believe its roots are in Chinese and ancient Egyptian culture. In the modern world, early healers used colored gels and glass to apply light or infused colors in water.
Today, therapists may use a box that flickers light into a patient’s eyes. Color and light is being recognized as a complementary system for other treatments in the United States. Meanwhile, in Europe, a German acupuncturist has developed a way to apply color and light to acupuncture points.
The Chakras and colors
Therapists relate the seven colors of the color spectrum to areas of the human body (chakras) that are believed to be spiritual energy centers of the body. They include:
- Red: First Chakra: base of spine. The color of life, red increases the pulse, raises the blood pressure and rate of breathing. It is said to combat anemia, asthma, diseases of the larynx, chronic coughs and certain skin diseases.
- Orange: Second Chakra: pelvis area. Stands for kind-heartedness and warm heartedness. Used to treat mental illness, depression, discontent and pessimism.
- Yellow: Third Chakra: solar plexus. Creates an impression of detachment and liberation. Treats glandular diseases, diseases of the lymphatic system and strengthens the nervous system.
- Green: Fourth Chakra: heart. Associated with a harmonizing effect. Used to treat bronchitis, whooping cough and inflammations of the joints and swellings.
- Blue: Fifth Chakra: throat. Blue has acclaimed relaxing and tranquilizing properties. Used to relieve headaches, stomach pains and muscle cramps.
- Indigo: Sixth Chakra: lower part of the forehead. This cooling color is believed to develop psychic perception and intuition. It is used to treat addiction as well as eyes, ears, nose and mental problems and is known to have sedative and calming effects.
- Violet: Seventh Chakra: top of the head. The color of emotions, violet is said to be meditative. It is applied to treat the lymphatic system, the spleen and to sooth organs and relax muscles.