How Does it Work?
Rooted in the ancient principles of acupuncture, EFT is based on the theory that the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption or blockage in the body’s energy system. These blocks can involve disturbing memories – fears, phobias*, anxiety*, grief, depression, guilt, shame or worry. EFT involves lightly tapping on specific acupuncture/acupressure points on the face, torso and hands to gently realign the body’s meridian-energy system. EFT users agree that tapping makes them feel significantly better in a short period of time.
Medical technology now can quantify what the ancient Chinese knew more than 5,000 years ago. Our bodies and minds have complex energetic pathways. Electroencephalography (EEG), a brain scan measuring electrical activity, indicates that tapping decreases mental activity in the central and front portions of the brain. According to Ronald A. Ruden, MD, PhD in his book Why Tapping Works: Speculations from the Observable Brain, brain chemistry also may be part of the process because stimulation of acupressure points may enhance the production of neurotransmitters and endorphins, which are chemicals that contribute to a sense of wellbeing and stress relief.
EFT combines two powerful forms of energy – intention energy and kinesthetic energy. Intention or “thought energy” is activated through verbal statements that focus on the problem. By focusing on the problem with a simple “reminder phrase” the body locates the blockage(s) in the energy pathways related to that specific problem. Beginners are encouraged not to worry too much about the words chosen for statements. A person should trust his/her intuition when developing reminder phrases.
The second form of energy used in EFT is kinesthetic energy, the actual tapping of acupressure points, which brings additional energy into the meridian system. Eastern medicine has identified common emotions involved with each energy meridian pathway. For example, the stomach meridian (acupoint under the eye) is associated with emotions of worry and trust/mistrust. However, EFT has a generic, simple protocol in which one taps all of the points even though they may not all be needed for successful treatment. There is no harm in doing so; the body balances the energy naturally and releases what it does not need.
Research
EFT is relatively new, and while countless individual case studies have reported impressive results, scientific research has only recently begun. A 2005 study by Jack E. Rowe, PhD, measured changes in psychological functioning of 102 people who participated in an experiential EFT workshop. Subjects were administered standardized tests at various intervals before, during and six months after the workshop. As reported in Counseling & Clinical Psychology Journal, Vol. 2 Issue 3, subjects exhibited a statistically significant decrease in all measures of psychological distress from pre-workshop to post-workshop, which also held true at the six-month follow-up. Additional research studies now are being conducted through the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP), which can be found online at www.energypsych.org.
In addition, the website www.emofree.com publishes hundreds of powerful testimonials and case reports. For example, Joseph Mercola, DO, a physician and the founder of the world’s most popular natural-health newsletter (see www.mercola.com), shares, “We implemented EFT…to help our patients comply to the eating plan and it was absolutely phenomenal. I was very impressed with EFT’s effectiveness and rapidly adopted it for a variety of other issues…EFT seems to work well over 85 percent of the time in our clinic…and it is quite clear to me that EFT-type therapies are absolutely critical to nearly all health-optimizing strategies.” Other people providing testimonials include a woman who utilizes EFT to calm herself before giving a public presentation and a man who uses it to get over his aversion to making business calls.
Learning EFT
In addition to the EFT manual, instructional DVDs and experienced practitioners can guide you in learning EFT. Live classes or sessions with an experienced EFT practitioner offer the opportunity to see the technique in action, get questions answered and learn a few troubleshooting tips. An experienced EFT practitioner knows how to ask specific questions that uncover the core emotional issues, as well as bring his/her own experience and training to help you find the greatest success in the shortest time. These practitioners often are familiar with other healing techniques or can provide a referral for complicated or difficult cases. The additional energy and intention brought to EFT by a practitioner or a group focused on helping you can have a very powerful effect.
You personally can experience many wonderful transformations by using EFT in your own life. In fact, you do not even need to have problems to use EFT. Try a morning EFT routine to incorporate positive affirmations of acceptance and self-love to get every day off to a positive start.
The Basic EFT Procedure (Short Form)
EFT in short form uses only head and torso points. The full EFT protocol also includes taps on finger points, as well as eye movements, humming and counting.
1. Choose a specific issue for work. Rate the intensity on a scale of 0-10 (10 being extremely uncomfortable and 0 being peaceful calm).
2 Feel for a “sore spot” or neuro-lymphatic point on the upper breast, usually near the shoulder and along side the underarm. Soreness indicates lymphatic congestion, but the point need not be sore to use it for treatment. As treatment begins, the sore spot is massaged in a circular motion while speaking the set-up statements. An optional set up method is to tap with two fingers on the “pinkie side” of the opposite hand, the fleshy “karate chop area.” Both methods work; select your favorite.
3. Create a set-up statement specific to your problem such as, “Even though I have severe back pain, I completely love and accept myself.” Repeat this statement three times out loud while rubbing the sore spot or tapping on the karate chop point. (See sidebar for additional suggestions.) Set-up statements prepare the energy system for treatment by balancing the energy and activating the meridians involved.
4. Use a simple reminder phrase such as “my burning back pain” or positive affirmations (see sidebar for suggestions) as you tap on the treatment points (see diagram above). Tap about seven times on each of the points while repeating the reminder phrase. Tapping statements put the energy into motion and increase flow to the blocked areas.
5. Repeat sequence as needed until intensity falls to a comfortable level.
As you tap, you may feel a pleasant tingling sensation accompanied by a state of calm alert. Often, tears will stop flowing and the throat will loosen. An energy release in the form of a deep sigh, a yawn or muscle release also may occur as you tap. Pain intensity often decreases and stress melts away. Each person’s experience is unique and depends upon the intentional focus of the EFT session.
EFT is a gift that you easily can learn and share. A person need not even believe EFT will work in order to get amazing results. Why not give EFT a try? It is a natural way to live life in the flow of greater comfort, peace and connection.
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