Emotional Freedom Technique – What EFT Is, How It Works, And Its Effectiveness
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Subsequently, Craig proposed that it is possible to address negative emotions by correcting the disruptions to the body’s energy system, rather than focusing on the painful negative memories (although the negative memories still have a part to play in EFT, as we need to “tune in” to them). [1]
In turn, the way the Emotional Freedom Technique helps regain balance in the body’s energy system is via tapping on specific energy meridian points. It is suggested that simple tapping of the meridian points with fingertips actually input kinetic energy into the meridians, which in turn help to rebalance the energies in our system. [3]
Although there are over 300 meridian points on the body, only a few are selected for use in the Emotional Freedom Technique. Since the 14 energy pathways in the body are interconnected, Craig explains that sending balancing energy down a few meridians are sufficient to influence all the other energy pathways in the body and achieve the desired effect. [4]
By thinking about a specific problem or memory (i.e. “tuning in” to the problem) while tapping, the tapping serves to undo the negative effects brought about by the specific negative memory or problem. By voicing positive affirmations while thinking about the negative memory or problem, it helps the user gradually come to terms with the issue, as well as cope better with the process of “tuning in” to the negative.
With the disruption to the energy system corrected, the negative memory would elicit internal calm instead of negative emotions. This correction subsequently brings relatively rapid relief to the user, both in terms of emotions, as well as physical ailments brought about by the emotional problems. [1]
Craig observed that there are times when physical symptoms are addressed simply by tapping on the meridian points without directly aiming the Emotional Freedom Technique at emotional problems. He suggests that such physical ailments may be strictly energetic in nature (instead of emotions-related), and hence merely balancing the energies in the body’s systems is sufficient to bring about relief. [1]
Nonetheless, as described above, many physical ailments that we experience are tied to emotional problems. In these instances, aiming EFT directly at the physical ailments alone may bring limited effects, since the cause of the ailments is not strictly energetic in nature. However, when we use EFT to address our emotional issues (which energies disruption created the ailments), these same physical ailments will be alleviated.
Effectiveness of EFT
Because energy medicine is something modern science has only in recent decades begun to verify and accept, many people are initially wary of the bio-energetic principles that EFT is based on. Others are taken amused, disconcerted or even feel uneasy about the tapping and affirmation process.
Nonetheless, the effectiveness of the Emotional Freedom Technique has been proven again and again.
Over 50 outcome studies on EFT have been published in peer-reviewed medical and psychology journals, demonstrating the effectiveness of EFT for both emotional problems (e.g. anxiety, depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, weight-loss, cravings, addictions, etc), as well as physical problems (e.g. pain, headache, seizures, etc) [5].
A 2010 literature review by Feinstein, D. Ph.D., published in the journal Review of General Psychology, found 18 well-designed randomized controlled studies on EFT that showed how the effects of EFT were significant in addressing psychological issues, even though subjects only went through relatively few EFT treatment sessions. [6]
For example, studies like those carried out by Church D. and team found that a single session was sufficient to significantly reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (a severe anxiety condition) in their subjects, as compared to subjects in wait-list control groups. [7]
The effectiveness of the Emotional Freedom Technique has also been endorsed by renowned holistic healers and alternative medicine practitioners, including Deepak Chopra, MD (who said “EFT offers great healing benefits.”) and Daniel J. Benor, MD, ABIHM (who said “EFT produces remarkable recoveries.”) [1] Dr Joseph Mercola endorses and uses EFT, too.
See next page for the references used.
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