Tapping EFT

EFT, Emotional Freedom Techniques is a therapy comprising of many techniques that works via the bodies energy system. Typically with EFT gentle percussive tapping is used on various acupoints located on the head, face, hands and upper body.

Other Meridian Techniques

There are many techniques that work in this way. These include, acupuncture, acupressure and shiatsu. Acupuncture was developed in China and has been around for at between 3000 – 5000. Whilst acupuncture was originally developed in Japan. Both are highly effective forms of therapy. They are endorsed by various organisations around the world including the World Health Organisation.

Meridians – Energy Channels

Acupuncture uses small needles which are inserted on acupoints on the meridians to unblock the energy system and create balance. Acupressure works on the same principle however no needles are used,instead it uses pressure on massage on the acupoints.

Development of EFT

EFT was developed from TFT( Thought Field Therapy). TFT was created by Dr Roger Callahan, a Californian psychotherapist. Callahan drew his inspiration from kinesiology and acupressure. During his practice Dr Callahan had a client who is commonly called Mary. Mary had water phobia that had resisted all the conventional approaches DR Callahan had used with her. The story goes that one day she turned up for therapy and complained of nausea. He told her to tap with gentle percussive tapping beneath her eye. This is a point located on the stomach meridian in Chinese Medicine. She instantly experienced relief. However her relief was not just related to the nausea. Her phobia had gone, instantly. With access to his pool she was able to splash her hand in water and happily test the results. Mary was followed up for many years. Her phobia did not return. This was a pivotal moment in the development of Thought Field Therapy  and modern energy therapies in general.

Gary Craig was a student of Dr Callahans long with Dr Larry Nimms both of which went on o develop energy therapies. Gary Craig developed EFT and Larry Nimms, BSFF.

Gary Craig and EFT

Gary Craig had studied engineering at Stanford University. However his main career was in insurance. He had a massive interest in self development and had used various techniques over time on himself to improve the quality of his life. At h time Gary attended Dr Callahans training he realise that certain elements in the process made it difficult for non practitioners to use it as a self help tool. He modified the structure of the process to made it universally more accessible. It took out the need to diagnose and created a one process suits all problems model. He gave this the name, EFT, Emotional Freedom Techniques.

EFT Process

Currently EFT involves tapping on 9 acupoints located on the head, face, upper body and side of the hand. You can see the tapping points in the diagram below. EFT involves tuning into a problem and then tapping on the various acupoints to rebalance the energy.

Variations on EFT

1. Touch and Breathe

EFT uses Tapping as opposed to massage. Touch and Breathe (TAB) is a variation on EFT. This therapy involves putting your attention on the problem you want to get rid of and then touching the acupoints, as you do this, you breathe. Breath and emotional state are connected. For example with anxiety breathing is often high in the chest and shallow, it can also be held. Using breath is a powerful way of relaxing and in this case releasing emotional baggage.

2. No Tapping EFT

EFT can be programmed into the mind/ body system to activate upon using a trigger, such as a specific word or action.  It can also be done by imagined tapping. When using this approach the person thinks of their problem to tune into their issue, such as “this butterfly feeling in my stomach when I think of him sniggering”

Example

Issue: Butterfly feeling in stomach when I think of him sniggering

Instructions

Imagine tapping on the points indicated below whilst thinking the statements connected to the point.

Karate Chop Point:  Even though I have this butterfly feeling in stomach when I think of him sniggering, I completely and totally love and approve of myself ( repeat this three times mentally)

Eyebrow Point:  This butterfly feeling in stomach when I think of him sniggering

Side of Eye Point:  This butterfly feeling in stomach when I think of him sniggering

Under the Eye Point: This butterfly feeling in stomach when I think of him sniggering

Under the Nose Point: This butterfly feeling in stomach when I think of him sniggering

Chin Point: This butterfly feeling in stomach when I think of him sniggering

Collar Bone Point: This butterfly feeling in stomach when I think of him sniggering

Under Arm Point: This butterfly feeling in stomach when I think of him sniggering

Repeat this thought sequence until you have no connection to the thought. You are indifferent to it.

This is an example of no tapping EFT.