Have you ever heard of EFT? It stands for Emotional Freedom Technique. Some people know it as “tapping”. Tapping is an alternative treatment for anxiety, physical pain, trauma, PTSD and other afflictions.
What is it?
EFT is rooted in Chinese medicine and is a form of acupressure. It’s based in the belief that there is blocked or unbalanced energy in the body, accessible through meridian points.
Similar to acupuncture, a person uses tapping on the meridian points to rebalance the flow of energy and bring the body back to equilibrium. Instead of inserting needles in those areas, you apply pressure by tapping with the fingertips. The belief is that by tapping on the meridians you release the blocked energy and relieve the pain caused by the energy block.
How does it work?
As stated above, the practice works by release blocked energy thereby relieving the physical or emotional pain caused by a physical emotional trauma. Unbalanced or blocked energy increases the likelihood of illness or a lack of well-being.
EFT practitioners believe tapping sends signals to the part of the brain that manages stress. When you access the energy, you can relieve the negative emotion or stress associated with the problem you want to alleviate.
But is it effective?
EFT is being used to effectively treat PTSD in returning war veterans and active service personnel. In a study, a group of veterans suffering from PTSD were taught EFT instead of using traditional care. Within a month, the subjects who learned EFT showed remarkable progress. In fact, more than half of them no longer showed signs of PTSD.
An associate of mine worked with families who were affected by the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting to help them through the devastating trauma associated with that event.
There are studies under way to determine the effectiveness of EFT on anxiety symptoms. The preliminary results are promising compared to traditional care; however, more research is needed.
If you are interested pursuing EFT, I strongly recommend you find a practitioner who can help you learn the proper technique. There is a lot to learn in alternative modalities. Not everything requires a prescription. Let me know if I can help you.
My Story
Since June 2019, I decided to hold myself accountable for walking my talk. Several years ago, I was able to take off 135 pounds and essentially save my own life. I regained some of that weight in the last couple of years and I’m working my way back down. I’ve lost over 40 pounds since I began in June and have exercised nearly every day since August.
If you choose to join me on this journey, I hope I am able to impart some nutritional and lifestyle wisdom. Even though I went off the rails temporarily I can still share some of my first hand experience as well as my acquired knowledge and training to help you make the right changes to live your best life.
Do You Want Help?
Would you like to have more energy, lose weight, sleep better, and balance your hormones? I am launching another 5 week Sugar Detox Program beginning January 28th.
This program is open to anyone who:
- would like to get control of their sugar cravings
- feel better
- have an abundance of energy
- would like an overall increase in well-being.
Aren’t you tired of feeling bloated and lethargic?
If you continue to follow the path you’re on, where will it lead you in six months? a year? Isn’t it time to take a different approach?
What you have done in the past hasn’t worked or at least has not stuck, but I can help you change that. Click here for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your challenges and your goals for the coming year and see if we’re a good fit. You have nothing to lose except those nasty cravings.
As a health coach, I work with women who are facing serious health challenges like heart disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes or who have been diagnosed as having a precursor to a serious health issue such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar. I help them make food and lifestyle changes so they can get healthy, live longer and enjoy a fuller, happier, more energetic life. If you would like to have a free consultation about the health challenges you have and the improvements you would like to see in your health, click here to schedule a no strings attached call.
Yes, I have known about EFT for about ten years. I am wondering how important the phrases are that are used with the tapping. They are tailored to the energy blocks that are being addressed, however in many cases the actual issues causing the blocks have not yet been revealed.
I do’t know a whole lot about EFT Doug but the phrases are probably not as important as the meaning. In other words, I think your intention is more important. It’s about releasing the emotion attached to the block.
How interesting! What we learn from blogs.
Thank you Martha
Hi Karen. I have read and listened to Nick Ortner and others about EFT quite a bit. I have tried tapping and saying the phrases. It was quite effective one time when I was in acute anxiety. I do use accuppressure and practice qigong which involves that. I have found them all beneficial.
Self medication doesn’t have to involve pharmaceuticals. I’m happy you found something that helps you Lily. It’s good to have an open mind about such things.