How EFT Tapping Works

In my humble opinion, EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is THE best, quickest and most effective therapy technique there is. Period! I say this with absolute confidence having used this modality since 2007 with 100’s and 100’s of clients. A question I often get asked is how EFT tapping works?

The approach of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), also known simply as ‘tapping’, is based upon a combination of elements, some from well-established scientific methods. Whether or not you recognise or understand these does not matter, you can still get great benefits and results when working with a skilled practitioner.

EFT tapping is a combination of:

• Holistic mind-body understanding
• Dialogue or traditional ‘talk’ therapy methods
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Exposure therapy
• Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP)
• And, meridian therapy stimulated by a light tapping of the fingers at designated points – this is likened to an emotional version of acupuncture, but without needles.

Most importantly, EFT ‘tapping’ is innate in our body’s healing system, and therefore inherent in our daily behaviour … this is nothing new, strange, least of all mumbo-jumbo “new age” stuff!

Think about this, we unconsciously use the following impulsive reflex actions virtually every day of our lives. Have you ever found yourself automatically doing either one, or more of these seemingly silly things? Perhaps all of them?

• Rapidly tapped your fingertips on a countertop or table when you are felt annoyed, impatient, irritated, stressed or angry? This action usually calms one.
• Tapped your forehead when trying to remember something? Then a few moments later, you suddenly remembered the information you had forgotten.
• Tapped or rubbed your temples when you have had a headache? A while later, your headache has eased, or completely disappeared.
• Or, upon getting a fright or hearing bad or shocking news, have you automatically tapped your fingers or patted your chest with an open hand? This action usually provides rapid relief, and calms one down.

If you have done either one or more of these automatic reflex actions, then you have been tapping without even realising it. This rather silly or even strange phenomena is actually your body’s innate wisdom at work. It is an unconscious, autonomic reflex that helps to bring your body back into homeostasis – taking you out of a heightened stressed state, and back into a calm more relaxed state. Thus enabling your body to function optimally.  Essentially, this is how EFT tapping works.

If you are familiar with the fight-flight or freeze response, tapping really helps to immediately, and rapidly calm both mind and body. Tapping takes one out of the sympathetic (fight flight response), and helps restore the parasympathetic state of rest and digest. Since these reactions occur well below our conscious awareness, they are governed by the autonomic nervous system. And, tapping aids this entire process to occur naturally. Hence, EFT tapping is well known as a stress relief technique, and for its stress relief benefits.

Essentially, EFT tapping is so easily applied that even a child can learn the simple protocol. Used frequently, EFT tapping naturally becomes the ‘go-to’ tools for one’s emotional freedom – hence the name, Emotional Freedom Techniques!  As a result, people generally experience immediate and rapid, long lasting relief from their emotional issues.  EFT tapping is a great tool for managing mental health issues too.

What is involved in EFT tapping?
How EFT tapping works is very simple, and straightforward. The process incorporates some dialogue whilst simultaneously tapping lightly with the fingertips on specific points of the body. This comprehensive method follows a specified routine of tapping points on the body, mainly around the hands, head and upper torso, which is repeated round after round. With the guidance of the practitioner, you tap on your own body.

While working with and through specific ‘issues’ this powerful tapping routine unblocks any emotional disruptions or physical discomforts held within the body. These disruptions could be anything from negative emotions, memories, experiences or even physical aches and pains. It is now a well known and accepted fact: unresolved emotional or psychological issues impact the physical body, often resulting in illness. Stress is well known to be the number one cause of most illnesses and diseases.

How does EFT Tapping differ from other therapy modalities?
Firstly, EFT tapping is a complimentary technique, meaning it can be applied in conjunction with any traditional practise, processes or procedures.  Secondly, once understood, EFT tapping can also be self applied with great effect. EFT tapping is a revolutionary departure from conventional techniques.

Sadly, many people have tried conventional therapy for months or years in the hopes of attaining relief from their fears, anxiety, stress, anger, guilt, depression, traumatic experiences etc and they make little progress. Often investing much money and time in emotionally painful or traumatic sessions and in the end received little or no relief at all.

Quite often in just one or two EFT tapping sessions great progress is made and the results are usually permanent.

Why is this so?

EFT tapping is a comprehensive and holistic approach including body, emotions and the mind – we do not view each as separate but include every aspect when tapping through emotional issues or events.

For example, if you have a fear of spiders you’ll feel the fear in your body because your heart may race, palms sweat, stomach goes into a knot, breathing is sharpened etc all the while your mind is either saying ‘run like hell’ or ‘come on, its only a small furry insect: stop being so pathetic’ … nonetheless the fear is real and terrifying! In this example we’ll tap on all the different aspects – emotional, physical and mental.

I believe it is this inclusive holistic approach that makes EFT tapping SO profoundly effective. Today, EFT tapping is being viewed as a ‘universal healing tool’ because it is at the cutting edge of both Energy Psychology and Energy Medicine practises, and is thus being incorporated by virtually all professions including the medical fraternity.

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

What can EFT ‘tapping’ assist?

EFT tapping can be applied to any and all negative and toxic emotions, events and memories. As one metaphysical practitioner put it, ‘we are the sum total of all our thoughts and emotions.’ Unfortunately, negative emotions, events or memories result in our unhappiness, poor self esteem, a lack of self belief or self worth, feeling disillusioned, depressed etc.

ALL of which can, and does, profoundly affect the physical body, and if left untreated may result in illness … hence, negative emotions are deemed as toxic.  Stress has been sited as the #1 silent killer globally because its responsible for up to 90% of all illnesses and diseases (or doctor’s visits) ~ as such, stress is toxic with dire consequences.

EFT tapping is a technique which is easily applied, giving you the tools to your own Emotional Freedom!  As a result, people generally experience immediate or rapid, long lasting relief from emotional issues. To find out what is involved in an EFT ‘tapping’ session, click here. 

If you have any questions about how eft tapping works, feel free to contact me here

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