Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
Meridian Tapping Method
How It Works
EFT is a simple procedure that employs using your fingers in a tapping, massaging, or holding a sequence of acupuncture points. Properly applied, EFT quickly and gently realigns the body’s energy system.
Unlike other energy healing methods, EFT incorporates an emotional element in the healing process which is a combination of tapping the energy meridians and voicing at first the "trigger words" and then voicing the positive affirmation that works to clear the “short-circuit”—the emotional block—from your body’s bio-energy system, thus restoring your mind and body’s balance, which is essential for optimal health and healing of physical disease.
EFT has been proven clinically effective in removing the blocks that create a number of physical and mental problems:
- Phobias and fears
- Emotional trauma
- Abuse
- Stress
- Post-traumatic stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief
- Addictions
- Food cravings
- Headaches
- Pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Fears that prevent goal setting
- Negative emotions
Working with Subtle Energy
Western science has documented that we are electrical and magnetic beings that have the ability to influence our environments and others,… At the same time we are also influenced by the magnetic field of others, and environmental biofields as well. The magnetic and electrical fields are subtle and the treatment of these fields can be subtle, but yield significant results.
We are continually participating our energetic/magnetic field to and within “the whole” of existence at all times, and in reference to time… our consciousness is not limited by any “Earthly time” restraints; thoughts carry energy… so throughout the day we participate energy through a present moment, a moment into the past and future moments to come all at once. All these moments contribute to the make-up of our current state of energy body and are supported by and comingled with resonant energies from all that exists.
In energy body healing modalities there are many methods that can successfully influence positive change toward a healthy balance of energy systems. Meridian Tapping and EFT are two similar modalities that can render significant changes easily and quickly. Your belief in the system has no impact on how well it works!
Why Try a Meridian Tapping or EFT Method?
Experiential therapies such as Meridian Tapping and EFT as well as other mind-body approaches, do act deeply to help release emotional blocks and subtle body disturbances. Oftentimes a personal combination of healing modalities can foster great healing and change emotional patterns. By correcting a disruption in the energy system, these techniques can bring a desirable harmonic balance within a disturbed internal pattern and virtually “re-wire” the inner world literally minutes. With a Tapping Method the client does speak of the problem, the problem is expressed through the words of the client, tapping occurs during this time, disturbance affect diminishes (according to natural individual process) then the client is left with sense of resolve and more behavioral options for future occurrences that may have triggered the client in the past.
How Can Balancing Your Subtle Energy System Help?
As a long term practitioner of various subtle energy body techniques, I have found painful physical, emotional and spiritual symptoms are the result of a disruption in the energy system. When the disruption is corrected, symptoms will be replaced by healthy functioning. For instance, a phobic response to snakes would be replaced by a calm experience or no response to snakes. All aspects of the phobic response would be normalized. Therefore, physical sensations of distress (such as tense muscles, racing heart, lumps in the throat or sensations in the pit of the stomach) are alleviated. Disturbed thought processes such as distorted perceptions and catastrophic expectations are normalized. Negative emotions such as fear, panic, anger, helplessness, confusion, etc. are replaced by a state of inner peace. Unhelpful behavioral tendencies or patterns of flight or fight or freeze responses, are corrected. All of this can be achieved using the natural resources of the body’s energetic system.
After correcting problems energetically, clients report common experiences. They say things like the following:
"It doesn’t bother me anymore"
"I can’t feel it."
"It went away"
"I can’t quite find it – it seems very distant now."
"I see it, but it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with me."
"It’s gone."
"It’s O.K. now"
"I feel lighter"
"I feel calm."
"I don’t care about it anymore – it’s not important."
Some people are entirely shocked at how well the method worked in such a short period of time.
These changes often happen within only minutes of a session, and yet the inner transformation is often profound and enduring. There is often a large generalization effect – meaning that addressing one core energetic issue often causes resolution in many other issues which can be a real bonus!. Subtle energy techniques can be applied to a large array of distressing symptoms including the following types of problems and more:
- worries
- fears
- anxieties
- phobias
- painful memories
- grief
- traumatic experiences
- stress
- burnout
- exhaustion
- anger
- rage
- resentment
- irritability
- moodiness
- sadness
- shame
- guilt
- depression
- powerless
- insecurity
- low self-worth
- relationship difficulties
- performance issues
- limiting beliefs
Tapping Points Chart - Meridians
Tapping Points in Preferred (but not necessary) Sequence
- KC (1) Karate Chop Point - The Karate Chop point is mainly used for
the EFT setup statement, psychological reversals and simple tapping techniques (STT).
It is an alternative for the sore spot EFT point.
The karate chop point is located on the soft fleshy part of the non-dominant hand, between the base of the pinky finger and the wrist. We would use this is the part of the hand break a board... 'karate chop' style.
Releases: Psychological reversal (feeling stuck or frozen), inability to let go, resistance to change, sorrow, feeling vulnerable, worry, obsession, compulsive behavior.
Allows: Ability to move forward, letting go of the old, healing from grief, finding happiness in and connecting to the present moment. (Small Intestine Meridian) - TH (2) Top of Head Point - This point (set of points) is lo Cated at the top of the
head and was added several years ago at an EFT conference. Since then, it has been widely
accepted by Gary Craig and many of the others in the EFT community.
This is an important energy center since many meridians meet at the top of the head. It is also in the area of the 7th. Or Crown Chakra, which is a spiritual energy center. Some say that stimulating this area wakes up the entire energy system and encourages the body-mind to pay attention to what we are about to address. This point is highly sensitive and its important to be very gentle when tapping!
Releases: Inner critic, 'gerbil wheel' thinking, lack of focus.
Allows: Spiritual connection, insight, intuition, focus, wisdom, spiritual discernment, clarity. ('Hundred Meeting Points' Meridian) - EB (3) Eyebrow Point - This point is located on the dominant side
at the beginning of the eyebrow, just up and over from the bridge of the nose.
Releases: Trauma, hurt, sadness, restlessness, frustration, impatience, restlessness and dread.
Allows: Peace and emotional healing. (Bladder Meridian) - SE (4) Side of Eye Point - Located on the dominant side at the end of the eyebrow,
this point falls on the boney protrusion at the leading edge of the temple.
Releases: Rage, anger, resentment, fear of change and muddled thinking.
Allows: Clarity and compassion. (Gall Bladder Meridian) - UE (5) Under Eye Point - Located on the bone underneath the eye,
directly under the pupil.
Releases: Fear, anxiety, emptiness, worry, nervousness and disappointment.
Allows: Contentment, calmness, and feeling safe. "All is well'. (Stomach Meridian) - UN (6) Under Nose Point - Located under the nose, in the little
crevice above the upper lip.
Releases: Embarrassment, powerlessness, shame, guilt, grief, fear of ridicule, fear of failure and psychological reversals.
Allows: Self-acceptance, self-empowerment, and compassion for self and others. (Governing Meridian) - CH (7) Chin Point - Located just under the bottom lip, in the depression
between the lip and the chin.
Releases: Confusion, uncertainty, shame, embarrassment and second guessing decisions.
Allows: Clarity, certainty, confidence, and self-acceptance. (Central Meridian) - CB (8) Collar Bone Point - Just below the knob of the collarbone and next to the
depression below the Adam 's apple.
Releases: Psychological reversal, feeling stuck, indecision, worry, and general stress.
Allows: Ease in moving forward, confidence, and clarity. (Kidney Meridian - Adrenal Gland Function)
- UA (9) Under Arm Point - About six inches directly below the arm pit
(on the bra strap for the women).
Releases: Guilt, worry, obsessing, hopelessness, insecurity, and poor self esteem.
Allows: Clarity, confidence, relaxation, and compassion for self and others. (Spleen Meridian)
Some History & Background
- EFT was created by Gary Craig (http://emofree.com) as a simplification and improvement of Dr. Roger Callahan’s Thought Field Therapy (TFT- http://www.tftrx.com/) It is an adaptation of Chinese acupuncture, except that instead of using needles, you tap (or rub) various points around the upper body.
- These points are called meridians (in acupuncture), but in physical terms these are simply points of markedly lower electrical resistance along the surface of the skin.
- The theory behind EFT states that “The underlying cause of all negative emotions is an imbalance in the body’s energy system”
- Ultrasound pictures show that there is movement along the lines that join these points whenever these points are stimulated.
- Using radioactive substances, it can be seen that this movement is typically 30-50mm/sec. However, when the body is diseased, this movement slows.
- By stimulating these points EFT encourages the body to heal itself, by smoothing out these disturbances, and allowing the flow of energy to continue normally again.
When you tap yourself you take responsibility for your own wholeness and well being which leads to a wonderful empowering experience. You may also find that having someone else tap you to clear issues can also be a very freeing and wonderful experience because the person tapping you can be objective about the situation, whereas you may not be able to get out of your own way to challenge yourself.
Samantha Paitakis is an EFT Specialist who is available in person, over the phone, and on SKYPE. Tapping over the phone is very effective!