Practice Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT Tapping)

Practice Emotional Freedom Technique
(EFT Tapping)

Let's actively practice the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT Tapping). This transformative mind/body healing technique can alleviate physical and emotional pain and discomfort. When our bodies fall out of sync physically, mentally, or emotionally, multiple health conditions and illnesses can be triggered. EFT can restore the body's energy balance, allowing you to regain your mental well-being.

EFT Tapping, a mind-body therapy, is gaining attention for its potential to reduce stress, quell cravings, improve performance, and alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Its promising history, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, employs EFT Tapping to eliminate negative emotions by tapping on acupressure points and using positive affirmations.

What is EFT Tapping?

The alternative treatment, EFT Tapping, commonly referred to as 'tapping' or 'psychological acupressure,' targets physical discomfort and emotional stress. Proponents of the technique believe that tapping specific parts of the body can balance your energy system, relieve pain, and effectively combat negative emotions.

EFT Tapping emerged in its current form in the 1990s, substituting needles with fingertip tapping on acupoints. Engineer Gary Craig developed the technique, drawing from clinical psychologist Roger Callahan's work. Acupoints treatment has been around for thousands of years, with acupuncture being the most famous method. Nowadays, practitioners apply EFT Tapping to handle everyday stress and anxiety, enhance performance, and curb food cravings. Licensed therapists also use this technique to address PTSD, trauma, phobias, and other mental health issues.

How EFT Tapping Works in the Body

EFT Tapping works by borrowing the concept of meridians from acupuncture. Meridians are pathways through which life-force energy, or "chi," flows in the body, and disruption of this energy flow could lead to disease. Stimulating acupoints is believed to enhance energy flow and promote overall health.

Meridian points, rooted in Chinese medicine, are considered pathways for energy flow in the body, helping to maintain balance and health. Imbalances in the energy flow can cause diseases or illnesses. Unlike acupuncture, EFT Tapping uses fingertip pressure on acupoints instead of needles. Advocates believe that tapping accesses the body's energy and sends signals to the brain area that modulates stress, ultimately reducing stress and negative emotions associated with a specific issue and restoring disrupted energy flow.

Restoration of Energy Balance in the Body

Recent research has indicated that stimulating the acupoints prompts the production of specific brain chemicals, including endogenous opioids that provide pain relief, serotonin, which plays a role in regulating sleep, mood, and memory, and gamma-aminobutyric acid, which calms the body. Essentially, tapping these points dispatches comforting signals to the brain, helping to ease the stress associated with traumatic memories or negative emotions.

EFT Tapping concentrates on the body's meridian points, or 'energy hot spots,' mirroring acupuncture. The primary objective of the process is to restore balance within the body's energy system, which is considered a crucial strategy for alleviating symptoms sparked by negative emotions or experiences.

Benefits and Impacts on Mental Health

The methodology suggests that any disruption within the energy system can trigger all kinds of pain and negative feelings. EFT Tapping is widely used to treat individuals struggling with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with proven effectiveness in treating PTSD among war veterans and military personnel. The technique has shown a significant reduction in their psychological stress levels and substantial improvement in their PTSD criteria, making it a promising treatment. Patients with anxiety who opted for EFT tapping as an alternate form of treatment also report successful outcomes.

Research has found EFT to be effective in enhancing self-esteem in nurses, relieving stress, improving health outcomes, and significantly reducing anxiety scores.

EFT Tapping Points and Process

The EFT Tapping process typically incorporates nine acupoints located on the face, hands, and body, and necessitates mental focus. The process begins by identifying a negative emotion or situation and formulating a statement that acknowledges and neutralizes it. This blend of tapping and mental concentration helps to calm the brain and body, facilitating the acceptance of positive affirmations.

When leveraging EFT Tapping to address PTSD, clinical sessions assist the brain in developing neutral responses to stressful memories over time. Consequently, patients can recall traumatic memories without an emotional response or experience a significantly less intense emotional reaction.

The EFT Tapping sequence consists of five steps:

Step 1: Identify the issue.
Step 2: Test intensity.
Step 3: The setup.
Step 4: EFT Tapping Sequence.
Step 5: Test the final Intensity.

In step 1, the prime necessity of this technique is to recognize the problem you are confronting. Focusing on one problem at a time strengthens the effectiveness of this procedure. In step 2, establish a benchmark for the severity of the issue, using a scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 10 signifies the worst case. This measurement will gauge the emotional or physical discomfort caused by the concern. In step 3, articulate a phrase that directly addresses the issue and acknowledges the problem, attesting that you accept yourself regardless of the ongoing issue. In step 4, start the tapping sequence by tapping the side of your hand point while repeating your setup phrase three times. Then, tap successively down your body seven times on the determined points. Repeat this whole sequence two or three times. In step 5, upon completing the sequence, reevaluate the status of the issue using the established scale from 0 to 10. If the desired score of 0 is not reached, repeat the setup and tapping sequence until it is achieved.

Conditions Where EFT Finds Application:

EFT finds applications in various conditions, including addictions, anger issues, allergy relief, abuse, attention deficit disorder (ADD - ADHD), claustrophobia, depression, fears and phobias, food cravings, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), pain relief, stress, trauma, self-esteem issues, and weight loss.

By employing the Emotional Freedom Technique, individuals can liberate themselves from negative emotions and beliefs, potentially improving their lives and adding quality years to their existence.

While there are abundant success stories accentuating the potential of EFT tapping, ongoing research is being conducted into its effectiveness for other disorders and diseases. Therefore, it is vital to consider traditional treatment options alongside EFT. If individuals decide to explore this alternative therapy, it is advisable to consult with their doctor first to avoid potential injury or exacerbation of symptoms.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that EFT Tapping presents an innovative method for addressing emotional and mental health concerns. The technique has proven beneficial for various conditions, particularly anxiety, depression, phobias, and PTSD, although ongoing research is still being conducted. However, as with any alternate therapy, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before starting EFT Tapping, especially when dealing with serious mental health issues.

Sources:
1. EFT Tapping
2. What Is EFT Tapping
3. Free Tapping Manual By EFT International Organization