Ever heard of tapping? It’s a technique said to relive pain, clear traumas and emotional blocks. You tap on certain meridian points, repeat affirmations, and, your conditions are said to ease, sometimes immediately. Particularly difficult issues sometimes take many rounds to completely release, according to EFT devotees.
Recently, I was re-introduced with EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) also known as “tapping” and decided to refresh my memory, see if it works, and share my impressions with you.
Back in 2007, my therapist, Dr. Jo gave me a handout on EFT, suggesting it might help it to release my anxiety. As I recall, I did find mild relief immediately after using the technique, but I was busy at the time so I played around with it some, and then I think I lost the handout—yikes!
Since I’m in a different space in my life now, I wondered if my experience with EFT would be different, whether it would help and what my experience would be 11 years later.
A Little About EFT
EFT was developed by Dr. Gary Craig, working from notes he obtained from Dr. Roger Callahan who created Thought Field Therapy after discovering the benefits of tapping while working with a patient suffering from water phobia. EFT combines cognitive therapy and the meridians found by Chinese studying the body’s energy fields (acupuncture) 5000 years ago. Dr. Craig took Dr. Callahan’s studies up a notch by developing tapping series to address various emotional issues and adding affirmations.
The Chinese discovered energy fields throughout our bodies and learned that by stimulating those fields, pain, allergies and other ailments could be relived. I’ve personally never tried accupuncture, but have friends who swear by it, and others who have said they don’t get much relief from it. Have you tried it? If so, let us know your thoughts below in the comments.
How To Do EFT
1. Tuning in: Sitting in a quiet space, simply take notice of what’s going on within your body and mind. I had been having circular thoughts about a minor issue and figured I’d work on that. EFT can be used for minor distresses like the one I had, pain, or to uncover deeper seated emotional blocks keeping you from living your best life. (Only one issue at a time.)
2. Rate your level of discomfort, from one, (little discomfort) to 10 (extreme discomfort). I rated mine a four.
3. The Set Up: The set-up is a statement acknowledging the condition you want to resolve and unconditionally accepting yourself. For example you might say “Even though I have a stress headache, I deeply and completely accept myself.
4. Tapping: following the directions in the video below, gently tap your meridian points.
5. Tune in again and re-rate: Tune in again, note whether you notice improvement, and whether to do another round. I did two rounds.
I must say, that today, I did find relief after tapping. I feel more relaxed and my mind isn’t circling on the issue I had been thinking about. As a matter of fact, as I tried to go back to the issue as I’m writing this, my circular pattern is gone.
Later in the evening while I was taking a shower, I noticed another subject come up. I tapped, was relieved and directly after another subject, this one more difficult came up. I tapped, had a little cry and went to bed. I woke up relieved, with new perspective.
I’d like to give it a go on some of my deeper issues; it can’t hurt after all, and, it’s free.
Let me know if you’ve done tapping and your experience with it. It’s really interesting to hear your thoughts and it is a big help to our community when you share.
To learn more about tapping check out this video Click to Watch Video
Or to read more about tapping Click Here
Sometimes, we need help working our way through various issues in our lives. I have turned to therapy several times along my path to healing. Recently, I learned about Better Help, an online non-emergency mental health program that pairs you with an online therapist. It’s completely confidential and because it’s all done online you don’t have to worry about going in for an appointment. Click HERE for more information. *this is an affiliate link
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I love that whether it works or not, its free! I’m looking forward to you reviewing it again soon. I had heard of it but had no idea how it works. Thank you!
Morning Nina!
I have heard of tapping but never tried it. It sounds like a distraction method, which certainly keeps your mind off of pain. I do understand Meridians, as they use them in Accupuncture. Interesting post, I like hearing what works for people, as I have anxiety as well. I do believe in using alternative methods when possible for pain, as I use dry needling sessions as part of my treatment for my EDS.
Have a great day!
jess xx
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Nina,
I have never heard of EFT but it sounds very therapeutic.
I love how you have tried this and sharing it with us today on Wellness Wednesday!
Hugs,
Robin
I have heard of this Nina, but have not known anyone who had tried it until now. I think I need to start with meditation, which everyone tells me is wonderful.