About EFT
(Emotional Freedom Techniques)
Also known as “Meridian Tapping” or “Energy Tapping”
WHAT IS EFT?
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is an process which involves tapping on a set of points on the head and body while focused on an emotion, event, physical sensation, or feeling that is upsetting you. The tapping helps release the stress causing the upset, allows the natural energy flow of the body to reset, and often results in a more relaxed, safer, at-peace feeling.
EFT was developed by Gary Craig, and made popular worldwide because it works! He still promotes his second-generation “Official” EFT at his website www.tapintoheaven.com/EFT-home
Gary refined a process he learned from Dr. Roger Callahan called Thought Field Therapy (TFT) to make tapping easier to learn and easier to teach. Both techniques are called “Energy Psychology” and work with the mind-body energy system to (often totally) eliminate all kinds of emotional, mental, physical and spiritual discomfort.
EFT has been proven clinically effective as a simple yet powerful way of releasing fears, phobias, anxieties, angers, addictions, and all kinds of emotional and physical issues.
Recent research shows tapping acupuncture (or acupoints) creates changes in the brain that reprogram the body’s reaction to stress triggers. Studies also prove EFT as the most effective, almost miraculous, treatment for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), effectively eradicating the anxiety veterans experience from living through trauma. In fact, tapping has been shown to help ANYONE leave behind the anxiety responses resulting from ANY sort of traumatic life event.
This is a new paradigm in healing because it no longer takes months or years of therapy and boxes of tissues to resolve problems. With EFT, specific issues can often be dissolved in minutes — forever!
The beauty of EFT is that ANYONE can learn how to apply it on themselves. And since it is known worldwide, you can easily find a practitioner to work with you. Even mental health professionals and doctors are discovering EFT!
Remember, if you have a serious health issue, use EFT or any other self-help technique with common sense. And check with your personal physician or counselor before discontinuing any medications.
HOW DOES EFT WORK?
EFT is based on the discovery by Dr. Roger Callahan that emotional discomfort is caused by a disruption in the mind/body energy system. Dr. Callahan combined ancient wisdom (acupuncture) with modern techniques (kineseology) and developed Thought Field Therapy (TFT). Gary Craig was trained by Dr. Callahan and then streamlined TFT into Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).
While tapping on acupressure points along meridians, or pathways of energy throughout the body, and being tuned in to a specific problem or issue, the mind/body energy system is “straightened out,” and the energy becomes available so we can heal.
Whether this is really how EFT works or not, the proof is in the pudding! More often than not, the specific physical or emotional pain being addressed dissolves completely and permanently.
Even when you are just learning the mechanics of this process, you will feel EFT “take the edge off” of your problem.
We have been consistently astonished at the results of EFT, and now invite YOU to experience the miracle!
WHO BENEFITS FROM EFT?
This invaluable tool is a perfect addition to any healing practice. Many professionals easily incorporate EFT into their specific modalities.
I have personally taught EFT to physicians, nurses, alternative health care providers, psychologists and psychiatrists, therapists, dentists, chiropractors, nutritionists, mental health counselors, social workers, educators, hypnotherapists, massage therapists, reflexologists, Reiki Masters, spiritual/energy healers, ministers, teachers, parents, and people who are simply interested in EFT for themselves.
Anyone interested in helping themselves or others benefits from EFT. Lots of people use EFT and I am continually receiving testimonials on how it is “more than 110% effective.”
An elderly gentleman experiencing neuropathy used EFT to totally eliminate his leg pain.
A high level executive used EFT to dissolve anxieties about making group presentations.
And a mother used EFT to calm her child’s food sensitivities.
Most people experience relief and relaxation the first time they try it, while others need a little more practice.
EFT is still in the experimental stage and does not work 100% of the time (what does?). It is especially effective when addressing a SPECIFIC issue.
At the very least, EFT offers a new level of health and happiness without drugs, needles or negative side effects!
My best advice? Try it on anything! Please contact myself or another qualified professional for a jump-start session!
=> www.tapintoheaven.com/EFTsessions
EFT Can Provide Relief From:
- Addictive Cravings, including Food, Drugs and Alcohol
- Allergies, including food, environmental, even unknown
- Anger
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks
- Breathing Difficulties
- Children’s Issues, even Bed-wetting
- Compulsions and Obsessions
- Depression and Sadness
- Dyslexia
- Fears and Phobias, including fear of public speaking, fear of heights, fear of flying, and fear of rejection
- Grief, Loss & Love Pain
- Guilt
- Habits such as Nail Biting
- Insomnia
- Negative Memories
- Nightmares
- Pain Management, including fibromyalgia, arthritis, headaches, back & neck pain, carpel tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff pain, and TMJ
- Physical Trauma
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Procrastination
- Sexual Abuse Issues
- Side Effects from Medication, including nausea, neuropathy and rosacea
- Stress
- Stomach Problems
Use EFT To Enhance:
- Concentration
- Confidence
- Emotional Control
- Healing & Recovery
- Job, School & Sports Performance
- Financial Security
- Relationships
- Relaxation
- Self-Image and Self-Esteem
THE EFT TAPPING PROCEDURE
(Note: You are learning the original “Basic Recipe” process here. You may find you get just as good results using the newer “Shortcut” method, which only uses Step #1 and Step #2)
DEFINING AND RATING THE PROBLEM
Identify a SPECIFIC emotional or physical problem or issue. Focus on and name the emotion you are feeling, such as “anger,” “guilt,” or “sadness.” If you cannot name the specific feeling, just call it “this emotion,” or “this problem.” Physical pain and discomfort can also be treated with EFT™. Simply describe the problem as this “sinus headache,” “lower back pain,” or “arthritis pain in my left knee.”
Next, rate the INTENSITY of the problem on a scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the most intense and zero being no intensity at all. This scale from 0-10 is called the SUDs (Subjective Units of Disorder) and is used throughout the EFT™ procedure.
EFT CHART (Click here to follow along with the tapping chart)
For more charts, including the EFT Shortcut Chart and EFT Charts in other languages, please visit tapintoheaven.com/charts
These charts are available in HTML and PDF format. Feel free to print these charts for distribution as long as you do not: 1) sell them in any, and 2) Keep our contact information on them.
THE SETUP
There are two parts to The Setup:
- Repeat a Setup Statement 3X while…
- Continuously rubbing the Sore Spot or tapping tha Karate Chop Point.
The SETUP STATEMENT follows the format of acknowledging that you have a problem and then affirming self-acceptance. The default Setup Statement is,“Even though I have this problem, I deeply and completely accept myself.” Examples include,“Even though I have this sinus headache, I deeply and completely accept myself,” and “Even though I have this anger, I deeply and completely accept myself.” It doesn’t matter whether you believe the affirmation or not, just say it. And it’s more effective to emphasize the words “deeply and completely.”
To find the SORE SPOT, place two fingertips in the hollow of your neck. Then go straight down the chest about three inches, then over to either side three inches. This spot may be a little sore. If it’s really sore, rub the other side of the chest or tap the Karate Chop Point.
The KARATE CHOP POINT is the fleshy part of the hand below the outside of the little finger, the area that is contacted when you make a karate chop motion on the side of a table. Tap on that spot with two fingers of your dominant hand while repeating the setup statement three times. Either the Karate Chop Point or the Sore Spot may be used during The Setup.
INGREDIENT #2: THE TAPPING SEQUENCE
Perform the Tapping Sequence by tapping about five times on each of the points listed below while repeating a Reminder Phrase and focusing on the problem. The best Reminder Phrase is a few word description about the the emotion or problem named in the Setup Statement. Begin tapping at the Eyebrow Point and follow the chart from top to bottom, finishing with the Karate Chop Point.
EB = Eyebrow
SE = Side of Eye
UE = Under Eye
UN = Under Nose
CH = Chin
CB = Collarbone
UA = Under Arm
TH = Side of Thumbnail
IF = Side of Index Finger Nail
MF = Side of Middle Finger Nail
LF = Side of Little Finger Nail
KC = Karate Chop Point
You can tap on points on either side of the body, you can even change sides during the sequence. Tap just enough to stimulate the energy; don’t tap hard enough to harm yourself.
INGREDIENT #3: THE 9 GAMUT PROCEDURE
The 9 Gamut Procedure is a brain-balancing exercise that involves eye movements, humming, and counting. Always follow the 9 Gamut with another round of tapping as this adds efficiency to EFT™ and hastens progress. The 9 Gamut does not always need to be included in the process. However, if you do not get relief from the first two steps of EFT™, then include the 9 Gamut followed by another round of tapping.
First, locate the Gamut Point on the back of the hand by making a fist and drawing a triangle back from the knuckles at the base of the baby finger and ring finger. The depression in the middle of this triangle is known as the Gamut Point (see Chart). Keep your mind tuned to the problem, tap on the Gamut Point continuously, look straight ahead and:
1. Close Eyes
2. Open Eyes
3. Look down to the floor to the right (keep head steady)
4. Look down to the floor to the left (head steady)
5. Roll your eyes around in a circle
6. Roll eyes in the opposite direction
7. Hum 5 seconds of a song (such as Happy Birthday)
8. Count from 1 to 5 (out loud)
9. Hum 5 seconds of a song again.
INGREDIENT #4: REPEAT THE TAPPING SEQUENCE
Tap about five times on each of the following points while repeating a Reminder Phrase and focusing on the problem:
- EB = Eyebrow
- SE = Side of Eye
- UE = Under Eye
- UN = Under Nose
- CH = Chin
- CB = Collarbone
- UA = Under Arm
- TH = Side of Thumbnail
- IF = Side of Index Finger Nail
- MF = Side of Middle Finger Nail
- LF = Side of Little Finger Nail
- KC = Karate Chop Point
Once a full round of EFT™ is complete, take a deep breath and focus on the emotion or physical problem you were addressing. Rate the intensity of the ORIGINAL problem or issue on the to 10 scale. Then compare this number with the original rating before you began EFT. You will either feel COMPLETE relief, PARTIAL relief, or NO relief.
If you have COMPLETE RELIEF, you experienced, in a few moments, the power of EFT! On the conservative side, a few more rounds of tapping may help the effectiveness of the process and ensure that the original problem won’t return.
When there is PARTIAL RELIEF in the level of intensity, the REMAINDER of the problem needs to be addressed with another round or so of EFT. In the subsequent rounds, it is important to adjust the Setup Statement and the Reminder Phrase to address the rest of the emotion or feeling. Use wording similar to, “Even though I STILL have SOME of this problem, I deeply and completely accept myself,” during the Setup Statement. Then repeat, “This REMAINING problem,” during the Tapping Sequence. Do as many rounds of EFT as necessary until the intensity of your problem is a zero.
If you experience NO RELIEF after a few rounds of tapping, follow the TIPS AND HINTS below.
TIPS AND HINTS
The Basic EFT Recipe is a powerful device, about 80% effective for everything – across the board.
Believe me, I have been using EFT since 1998 for myself and others – for a large variety of issues – with wonderful results.
Of course, sometimes we experience those “one minute miracles.” It seems just getting the energy flowing through the body clears up many issues instantly.
Still, sometimes people seem to remain stuck even after minutes, or hours, of EFT. When you know how to handle impediments – or better yet begin viewing these impediments as road signs telling you what you need to clear to get where you want to go – EFT will be even more effefctive.
1) BE MORE SPECIFIC
One of the most common errors made by EFT™ newcomers is using broad labels for problems and then being discouraged with the result.
Such issues such as “I don’t have good relationships,” “I can’t lose weight,” or “My father always abused me” may seem specific but are actually very general, or global.
Finding SPECIFICS for each of these problems brings up separate ASPECTS that are contributing to the issue.
These aspects can be treated and eliminated one by one until the entire foundation supporting the issue collapses.
For example, one might say “Even though I have this feeling of inadequacy in relationships, I deeply and completely accept myself,” might prove more helpful that “Even though I have a pattern of bad relationships.”
When working with weight issues, you can address certain urges or unhealthy eating patterns, or even the anxiety underlying the weight problem.
And “Even though I have this anger about my father embarrassing me at my 15th birthday party,” will clear up that issue quicker than “Even though my father abused me.”
Often seeing progress with specific aspects provides incentive to keep working on the issue.
2) TREAT ASPECTS SEPARATELY
Aspects sometimes may seem like apparent impediments because they seem to impede progress.
Sometimes as we treat an emotion, another aspect of the same problem arises.
Each aspect is a new portion of the problem that needs addressing before complete relief.
Be aware of switching aspects!
Sometimes, when tapping on pain, for example, the pain may have diminished but soreness or tightness remains in its place.
The soreness or stiffness is another aspect that needs to be addressed separately of the pain.
When emotions or aspects change, keep tapping and change the Setup Statement and Reminder Phrase to reflect the new emotion, or aspect.
3) BE PERSISTENT
Whether working with a specific aspect or with a general issue, persistence is sometimes the key to success.
Although you may see “instant” success with EFT™ with some issues, many times creativity and patience are the difference between failure and success.
The key to real success is to get the issue to a 0, not just stop at a 2 or a 3.
Be flexible, follow emotions or pains as they change during a session as this is often symbolic of new aspects or issues needing treatment during a session.
Asking “What does this remind you of?” “When was the first time you felt like this?” or even“What in your life is a pain in your neck?” (when treating neck pain) often brings up aspects that are contributing to the problem.