MENTAL HEALTH | SELF CARE

Is EFT Tapping Worth It?

Alternative acupressure treatment for mental health

I love a good home remedy

I will always employ a quick fix or find a natural approach to solving a medical concern or temporary quirk. It is common for me to slip into a conversation that I would be the first purchaser of an at-home CAT scan machine. Unreasonable, I know.

I stopped explaining my fascination because it can be a turn-off in small talk.

I am not good about sitting in a doctor’s office without having tried every remedy that I can, first. Self-discovery makes for my biggest smile. However, I am not a doctor and do have an appreciation for their knowledge. Soaking up any side information is helpful, though, especially regarding mental health.

It’s even better if I learn something I can do at home or pass it on to those who may benefit.

I am intrigued by EFT tapping. Articles come my way and the more I learn about it, the more I will spread the word about this seemingly effective mental health tool. We all simply need to keep seeking information to help others in this invisible arena riddled with stigma.

I will continue to promote acupressure and EFT tapping treatment. Some people do a modified version without even realizing it. You see people with a headache rubbing their temples or lightly tapping on their foreheads.

That reflex action to diminish pain has a name.

It’s known as acupressure. EFT is similar in approach and an alternative to address mental health concerns.

EFT Tapping

The Emotional freedom technique (EFT) is an alternative treatment for physical pain and emotional distress. It’s also referred to as tapping or psychological acupressure. ~ Healthline.com

The idea behind both acupressure and EFT is to restore balance in your mind and body. Acupressure has been used for over 2000 years and is part of traditional Chinese medicine.

Unlike acupuncture, needles are not used. All three, acupuncture, acupressure, and EFT, are used to trigger our own self-healing properties.

The key is to stimulate the body at given pressure points, otherwise known as our meridian points.

Meridian Points

Meridian points are considered the parts of the body that energy flows through. A healthy body has an uninterrupted flow or balance. When the energy flow is thrown off, the imbalance can invite sickness and even disease.

“The Chinese medical model discovered that the human body is crisscrossed by these invisible lines of energy,” explains Dr. Steve Moreau, DOM, AP, a licensed acupuncturist and instructor at the Florida College of Integrative Medicine. “TCM theory also holds that each meridian pathway is connected to a specific organ. It’s this interconnection of specific points that allows acupressure to work.”

Research is still rolling in, but EFT tapping techniques have been demonstrating successful psychological results. They are now considered an authorized treatment for war veterans suffering from PTSD. In addition, it is also used as a treatment for anxiety, depression, physical pain, and insomnia.

EFT treatment works by using fingertip tapping. According to Healthline, there are five steps to get you started.

The Five Steps of EFT

Each emotional issue you are experiencing will need to be addressed individually. The steps, in sequence, help diminish the intensity of your stress. Simply repeat the steps for any negative situation as a coping and treatment mechanism to reduce the emotional hold that is weighing you down.

1. Identify the issue

Isolate your issue to one emotional challenge and clearly define it.

2. Rank the intensity

Rank your intensity level from 1 to 10. The only way to truly gauge effective results is by setting this benchmark. After the EFT sequence is complete, reassess your intensity level. If the worst-case scenario was initially a 10 and you end at a 5, you can see the value and improvement from the process.

3. The setup

Prepare a phrase to focus on what you wish to address. It is paramount to the process that you include the two main goals in your phrase. One, acknowledge the issue. Two, express that you are willing to accept yourself regardless of the situation.

Focus on the problem when you are mentally preparing your phrase.

Other people, their emotions, or their part in any issue should not be intermingled with your phrase. This is about your emotional well-being and balancing your energy flow.

Commit to, and remember, your phrase because you will be repeating it again and again during your tapping treatment.

4. EFT Sequence

Methodic tapping in sequence on the ends of nine meridian points is necessary for the EFT treatment.

Per Healthline: EFT focuses on 9 of the 12 meridians, which correspond to an organ in our body:

• karate chop (KC): small intestine meridian
• top of the head (TH): governing vessel
• eyebrow (EB): bladder meridian
• side of the eye (SE): gallbladder meridian
• under the eye (UE): stomach meridian
• under the nose (UN): governing vessel
• chin (Ch): central vessel
• beginning of the collarbone (CB): kidney meridian
• under the arm (UA): spleen meridian

Begin by tapping the karate chop point while simultaneously reciting your setup phrase three times. Then, tap each following point seven times, moving down the body in this ascending order:

• eyebrow
• side of the eye
• under the eye
• under the nose
• chin
• beginning of the collarbone
• under the arm

After tapping the underarm point, finish the sequence at the top of the head point.

The key is to continually recite the phrase you have crafted, that contains your acknowledgment of the stressor and acceptance of yourself despite the challenge presented. Say it during each tapping point. You will repeat this sequence at least two times.

5. Results

Unlike conventional medicines, there are no limits to this treatment. Rank your intensity level again. If you have not reached a zero in your personal ranking, repeat the process until you achieve it.

Studies have indicated a successful return on EFT treatment. The first study, conducted in 2013, analyzed war veterans and active-duty military personnel with PTSD. There was a notable difference in the group receiving EFT tapping treatments versus those receiving conventional care.

After 30 days, the group receiving EFT coaching techniques not only had significantly reduced their stress and psychological challenges but more than half of the patients no longer met PTSD criteria at all.

Research continues. In 2016, studies indicated similar success rates when treating people with anxiety.

The additional investigations include comparisons of EFT tapping and other cognitive therapy techniques.

Of course, you should continue conventional treatment options while studies are ongoing. The hope is to find success in treating even more disorders.

Always consult with your primary physician before trying an alternative treatment.

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