What is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?

EFT - TAPPING - PSYCHOLOGICAL ACUPRESSURE


What is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)? Also referred to as ‘tapping’ and ‘psychological acupressure,’ EFT is an alternative modality to relieve trauma, stress, or pain by means of tapping a sequence of parts on the body with fingertips while focusing on an emotion or problem while repeating affirmation-like phrases. It merges Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques with modern psychology. Research demonstrates this technique can benefit people experiencing stress, trauma related circumstances, anxiety, depression, PTSD, weight loss, chronic pain, and other issues. 

Our non-physical, spiritual body affects our physical body, both of which embody Life Force Energy. Chakras and meridians are systems of our spiritual body, similar to the way our nervous and vascular systems act for our physical body. We have 7 chakras, or energy vortexes, that align with the spine. Chakras transmit and receive energy with our physical and non-physical environment. Meridians are pathways in which Life Force Energy flows. There must be a balanced flow in order to be physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually healthy. If there are blockages or instability in the flow in any of these 4 areas, this can present as problems in different areas of our physical and non-physical bodies. 

EFT involves tapping on meridian points to restore blocked or imbalanced energy in order to resolve physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual issues. Instead of resisting ill emotions or circumstances, it faces them head on with an intention to complete or shake off the trauma.

Think about it this way. How does an antelope go back to grazing moments after being chased down and barely escaping a hungry lion? Animals perform a shaking mechanism to discharge the nervous system survival response in order to complete the life-threatening trauma they experience. When we humans have no outlet or similar mechanism, the survival response is frozen in our systems causing energy blocks and imbalances. This eventually results in physical dis-ease. 

EFT can assist in this process of completing trauma by balancing our energy system. 

Simple 5 step Process that anyone can learn:
  1. Identify the Issue 
    1. Negative feeling/emotion, fear, or problem
    2. One issue at a time
  2. Test Initial Intensity
    1. Assess the pain or discomfort you are experiencing 
    2. Scale 0-10, 0 being none and 10 being the most/worst
  3. Setup Phrase
    1. Acknowledging the issue
    2. Accepting yourself despite the issue
    3. Ex. “Even though I have this [fear, problem], I deeply and completely accept myself.”
    4. Modify phrases to feel true to you. Do not lie to yourself. If you do not deeply and completely accept yourself, find a phrase you do believe. 
    5. Ex. “...I am willing to learn to accept myself.” “...I want to accept myself.”
  4. Sequence
    1. Repeat the phrase up to 3 times per meridian point (refer to image below)
      1. karate chop wrist 
      2. top of head
      3. inner eyebrow 
      4. side of eye 
      5. under eye
      6. under nose
      7. chin
      8. collar bone
      9. under arm
    2. Repeat sequence 7 times
  5. Test Final Intensity
    1. Rate and compare your intensity level of 0-10 scale
    2. Repeat process until reaching 0

Now, read The Human Energy Field or Your Emotional Guidance System for a deeper understanding of how our nonphysical affects our physical (aka our bodies and wellbeing.)