Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Tapping

Although you may not know about Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), known simply as “tapping” – there is a high probability that you have already applied this therapeutic process; you just didn’t know it!

Here’s the really strange thing – we often unconsciously tap on our body, especially in stressful situations to calm, and or, to soothe ourselves.

Perhaps you have used this reflex action daily?  Or, at the very least, regularly.

How? Or, why is this? Purely because the physical body is a living organism, also known as a energy system. It is complete with an innate intelligence that has the ability to regulate and heal itself. In other words, the body has it’s own internal healing wisdom. Other than keeping us alive, one of it’s main functions is to maintain homeostasis (optimal functioning).

Have you ever done this?
Have you tapped your forehead with your fingers in order to remember something? What about tapping your chest with your fingers or hand when you heard or witnessed something unpleasant, shocking or stressful? Or, have you ever rapidly tapped your fingertips on a table or counter top simply because you were irritated, impatient or annoyed?

Yes, of course you have. And, we all do this …

You have probably done these unconscious actions many, many times over your lifetime. And, without a second thought of what you were actually doing. Or, even why you did this with your hands and fingers …

Something instinctively triggers our hands and fingers to automatically help us out during these forgetful, stressful or annoying situations. This is the incredible way in which the subconscious, or our innate healing wisdom, takes care of our well being. It is regulating and soothing us, restoring homeostasis to both mind and body.

We don’t need to think about it … least of all, to know how, what or why we are doing this instictive tapping action. After all, it is an autonomic reflex controlled by the subconscious mind. The same part of our brain that automatically keeps our lungs breathing in air, heart pumping blood, and digestive system funtioning etc – regardless of whether we are awake, or asleep.

“EFT is destined to be a top healing tool for the 21st century.”
Cheryl Richardson (Author)

What exactly does our body’s innate wisdom, specifically our hands or fingers, and stressed situations have to do with Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) ‘tapping’?

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), also known simply as ‘tapping’, ‘energy tapping’ or even ‘meridian tapping’ has evolved into a powerful somatic therapy process. (Somatic means, related to the body as opposed to the mind.)  As a therapy process or tool, EFT tapping can be applied to ALL emotional, physical, and or psychological issues.

Today, EFT tapping has become an important ‘go to’ for those with mental health needs. Especially if rapid, long-lasting – if not permanent results are required.  Essentially, EFT tapping is a remarkable stress relief technique that works!

As a complimentary therapy, EFT tapping has an incredibly wide application, across multiple disciplines and various industries. It can be applied in conjunction with traditional psychotherapy or medical practises. In physical areas such as physio, chiropractics, dance and sports performance etc. In life coaching processes to aid and improve self-development. As well as by teachers in schools. And, because of the versatility of EFT tapping, it is now being viewed by various global professionals as a “universal healing tool”. 

EFT tapping is holistic (mind body) as well as somatic in nature. Based upon the discovery that imbalances or disruptions within the body’s energy system are at the root of most illnesses, EFT tapping has profound, beneficial effects on one’s physiology and psychology.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) tapping discovery statement says: the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system.  To quote Gary Craig, the Founder of EFT, “medicine for example pays very little attention to the disruptions in the body’s energy meridians nor does it give much weight to emotional causes. These causes, of course, are the centrepiece of EFT. Thus it is no wonder that EFT produces benefits where the medical profession has thrown up its hands. The reason is simply because we are taking aim at causes that others have largely disregarded. EFT is a radical departure from conventional techniques.”

As the name Emotional Freedom Techniques implies, one can achieve freedom, and independence from burdensome, painful or limiting emotions. Be this freedom from anger, anxiety and panic attacks, grief and loss, trauma, stress or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addictions, depression, fears and phobias (i.e. a fear of public speaking, heights, spiders, snakes, the dark, claustrophobia etc).

Perhaps also freedom from guilt, shame or remorse,  years of self doubt, or from painful events or memories of the past such as molestation, rape, incest or other forms of physical, emotional or sexual abuse etc. 

All of which I have witnessed firsthand while assisting clients since 2007 when I began working with this transformative therapy modality.

The simple effects of tapping the body to produce a meaningful emotional shift may be a little much for some people to accept, or even to comprehend. However, the results speak for themselves – even the most hardened skeptics I’ve worked with had to concede following their experiences during a session, where they’ve received amazing results, and wonderful benefits.

The proof is in the pudding (or in the eating as some say!)  Skepticism aside, put it to the test for yourself, simply give EFT tapping a try – you might be surprised. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

EFT tapping is such a powerful system because it can be used on practically any issue, experience or situation we find ourselves in (past or present) … we have a saying in the EFT world, ’try it on anything and everything! It often works where nothing else will.’ 

When used properly, EFT tapping can also be highly effective for uncovering and reversing disempowering, or sabotaging limiting beliefs i.e. ‘I’m not good enough to have a loving relationship’ or ‘I’m undeserving of wealth and prosperity’ etc.

How does Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) tapping work?

As already mentioned above, this amazing technique is actually innate in our body’s healing system. We unconsciously use ‘tapping’ as an impulsive reflex action virtually everyday of our lives. To gain a thorough understanding of how EFT tapping works, I’ve written a separate blog post here.  While the benefits of EFT tapping can be found here.  And, what an EFT tapping sesssion involves is here.  In the meantime, below is a  scientific explanation, as well as the interesting history of how EFT tapping came about.

Scientific explanation of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) tapping:

EFT tapping works on the subtle energies, which are prevalent throughout the human body. The Chinese call these subtle energies meridians. Our bodies are profoundly electrical by nature, which is why when we rub our feet on a carpet and then touch a metal object we receive a slight shock.

Although we cannot see this electrical circuitry with a nake eye, the vital constant communication of impulses is being sent throughout the body in order to keep it informed as to what is going on. Without this intricate vital electrical communication system we would not hear, see, touch, feel, taste or smell.

Further evidence of this electrical circuit is that both the electroencephalograph (EEG) and electrocardiograph (EKG) record electrical activities of the brain and heart respectively. 

Still somewhat skeptical or unsure? Perhaps the video below, which contains scientific evidence from numerous doctors, will give you the confidence to at least give Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping a try to aid your health and wellness …

Historical facts

Some 5, 000 years ago the Chinese discovered the body’s complex energy circuitry. This electrical circuitry, also known as subtle energy or meridians are core to both acupressure and acupuncture and as such, EFT tapping is the emotional version of acupuncture. EFT tapping involves dialogue and a rapid tapping at specific points on the body; it doesn’t entail unpleasant needles! EFT tapping is relatively quick, yet extremely effective and powerful.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) ‘tapping’ historical facts

During 1980’s Dr Roger Callahan, an American psychologist had an interest in Chinese medicines. While studying this he accidentally stumbled upon the effectiveness of acupressure ‘tapping’ when working with a long term patient, Mary who suffered from a chronic water phobia. Although he actually didn’t call this discovery process ‘tapping’;  he coined this term ‘Thought Field Therapy’ (TFT).  The effectiveness of this ‘accident’ was SO highly successful that almost immediately Mary’s chronic water phobia disappeared.

So the enthusiastic and undaunted Dr Callahan began to try this technique on all his other patients, and within a year he had no more patients; all of them had been effectively and successfully discharged. He was now left with a real problem: without an income he decided to teach his new found techniques.

One of Dr Callahan’s early students was Stanford trained Engineer, NLP practitioner and Ordained Minister, Gary Craig. After working with TFT (Thought Field Therapy) for a while, Gray Craig decided the algorithms were too cumbersome for his engineering mind, so he refined these processes into what is now recognised internationally as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or simply ‘tapping’. It is to Gary Craig that we all, EFT practitioner and beneficiaries alike, owe a huge debt of gratitude because he single-handedly generously shared his knowledge and understanding with thousands of people worldwide.

Undoubtedly, Gary’s altruistic, benevolent and spiritual beliefs are what has accelerated the pace of Emotional Freedom Technique’s international growth into a ‘universal healing tool’. His determined efforts to work with Vietnamese and other War Veterans to resolve their PTSD’s (post traumatic stress disorders) is now gaining much publicity in USA, and this has recently come to the attention of American Senate too.

Sadly, Gary Craig has since retired. But, he bestowed tremendous gifts upon others through his EFT tapping work. In my humble opinion, he’s left a healing legacy unparalleled anywhere on this world!  I am living proof – as a direct result of applying Emotional Freedom Techniques on myself and others, I’ve witnessed radical transformations since 2007 when I first discovered this remarkable therapy tool.

All that said, I look forward to being of assistance … helping you to apply this gentle Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) tapping so you too can discover real peace, harmony, love and joy … the freedom you deserve!

For immediate relief of any burdensome emotions, mental health issues, unwanted or painful events or memories of the past, book your consultation here