Editor’s Note: The information provided here should not be considered as providing medical advice or a cure for any particular ailment you may be experiencing. Always consult with a medical professional if you are experiencing chronic pain or PTSD related symptoms about your options.
When I first became aware of The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) twenty plus years ago, it was fairly new, little known, and generally considered “weird.” While there was plenty of anecdotal evidence on its efficacy, there was very little official research. However, it kept popping onto my radar, and though I was skeptical at first, ever since I first tried it, I’ve been a true believer in its power to soothe and heal all forms of pain.
I first tried EFT after I hurt my ankle during a snowstorm. Ever the one to continue on, I sucked it up and went to work anyway. It was painful all day! Finally, the pain became so bad that I passed out. I came to with people lifting me off the floor and asking if they should call 911. I said, “No. Just let me sit down and put my foot up.” It was still painful. It was then I decided to call my daughter Valerie and ask for advice. She reminded me of our conversations about that “strange” little technique of EFT and suggested I try it to see if it helped. She stayed on the phone with me as we did what little we knew about EFT over the phone. To my astonishment, I quit hurting almost right away. Then, I tried standing on it and there was very little pain and within 20 minutes all the pain was gone. Needless to say, after that I was both amazed and sold. I decided right then and there that I had to learn more, and I have been learning and practicing EFT ever since.
And my, how things have changed since those early days! I always thought everyone would be better off for learning it, but was often met with skepticism when I discussed the benefits of EFT. Now, however, its benefits are becoming more well-known and is taught in schools and universities, and its effects can even be seen on functional MRI brain scans.
A key understanding behind EFT as promoted by its creator Gary Craig and which borrows heavily from the foundational principles of traditional Chinese medicine is that much of our pain is also linked to our emotions. Healing thus becomes harder and harder if we only focus on its physical manifestations and don’t consider what kinds of underlying emotional blockages might be amplifying or extending our pain. The process is quite simple and involves tapping on particular pain (or meridian) points across your body using the end of your fingertips while also focusing upon the sources of your pain or trauma Use it daily for life’s everyday stress. Use it for all types of physical pain and emotional distress.
Tapping is now considered so effective among clinical practitioners that it is frequently used to assist patients overcome many forms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It has been used in Rwanda to help the survivors of the genocide to heal, with Veterans of war or those who have been the victims of war related violence, and numerous others for whom other forms of treatment have not been sufficient on their own to cure their PTSD. It has been shown to lower cortisol levels, and higher amounts in the body which are linked to pain, anxiety, high blood pressure, and depression and to increase happiness and immune system function.
So now that you have a basic understanding of the science behind, EFT let’s practice together a bit! Remember, the whole point is to reduce pain and anxiety, so don’t worry so much about whether or not you’re doing it right (the more you practice the easier it becomes) and focus more on the process as a way to alleviate pain.
Tap, Tap, Tapping: A Beginner’s Guide:
Key to the practice of EFT is knowing that there are certain acupressure points in our bodies that store energy. Tapping on these points, also known as meridian points, while focusing on the release of energy that might be blocked and directing your attention to the pain you want to alleviate is central to the effectiveness of EFT.
Here is a simple guide from the folks at The Tapping Solution that can help you get started:
- Identify an issue to work on. You focus on something that is bothering you, like a fear or anxiety, a physical ailment, a bad memory, or an unresolved problem.
- Rate the intensity of the issue on a scale from 0 to 10.
- Acknowledging whatever is bothering you and causing you distress, while accepting yourself fully. You create a setup statement to begin the process with, such as “Even though I have this [insert problem or emotion], I deeply and completely accept myself.”
- Follow the EFT Tapping sequence. You tap your fingertips on nine major Tapping points along the body’s meridians while maintaining your mental focus on the issue at hand. While you tap, you may say statements that help you to first focus on and acknowledge what you are feeling (often called a reminder phrase). You can then move towards letting go of the distress, resolving your difficult emotions, and turning towards the positive. As you tap, you might also do visualizations or bring to mind certain thoughts or memories.
- Rate the intensity of the issue again on a scale from 0 to 10. This allows you to assess if anything has changed for you
- Repeat as needed. If the intensity is still higher than you’d like, start again! You can keep Tapping through the points until you find some relief.
For my own process, I often use a simple but what I’ve found to be an effective script as I go through each meridian point:
- Karate chop point – Even though I have this pain, I choose to love and accept myself.
- Eyebrow point – This pain.
- Side of Eye – This pain.
- Under Nose – This pain.
- Under Mouth – This pain.
- Collarbone – This pain.
- Under Arm – This pain.
- Top of Head – This pain.
I then take a Deep Breath, see if the pain is less, and if I need I do it again.
For a more in depth guide to the process check out this full discussion with pictures online at bit.ly/efttappingguide offered by The Tapping Solution. If you are more of a visual learner here’s also a great video to check out to help you learn how to incorporate tapping in your healing journey bit.ly/efttappingvideo
If your interest is piqued and you are ready to learn more there is so much available on the internet to help guide you and I encourage you to explore more about this simple yet powerful process on your own or with a professional practitioner. There are so many ways we can go about healing ourselves and one another. I offer this amazing technique that has brought so much comfort to my own life to all of you in the hopes that it can do the same for you!
Gay Hergert, affectionately called Gigi by her grandchildren, is 73 years old and continues to work full-time. Gay is an avid blood donor, a proud army veteran, and has owned several restaurants throughout her life. Known for her culinary skills, she is also an exceptional cook. She has dedicated many years to studying and practicing medicinal healing techniques, including Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), to benefit herself and those she cares for.
