Tapping for Relief

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is an evidence-based practice that has demonstrated incredible utility for issues like chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and others. EFT are techniques that combine specified statements of affirmation with "tapping" on acupressure points (which is why the technique is often called "Tapping"). There are over 100 published studies, reviews, articles and meta-analyses supporting the efficacy of the techniques and the importance of both components.[2,4,6] As recently as this last spring an article was published encouraging health care professionals and students to incorporate the practice personally to help with the increasing burden of stress, anxiety and burnout in our field.[2]

Speaking from personal experience, the practice comes across as simple and innocuous. However, the results are significant and immediate. The best way I can describe how it feels for issues of anxiety is that it drains the topic of any negatively attached emotions. Situations don't change, but they just seem to have less emotional significance. Studies have shown that EFT sessions actually change brain connectivity, decreasing the connections between anxiety/pain centers to areas that tend to heighten these sensations.[7] When I finished my first session, I was amazed that I ever had anxiety about the topic in the first place! Others I've know have had similar experiences, some reporting more progress on (and, dare I say, resolution of) lifelong issues from earlier traumatic experiences than decades of talk-therapy or CBT.

EFT has been shown to have both psychological and physiological benefits to those who practice it. Multiple studies have shown significant changes [1,3,7] in validated metrics for:

Decreased

• depression

• anxiety

• pain

• PTSD

• hypertension

• cravings

• cortisol response (a marker of stress)

• immune suppression

Increased

• quality of life

• happiness

• heart rate variability

• heart coherence

• immunity

EFT are effective and seemingly simple techniques for multiple conditions. Despite that its apparent simplicity allows people to find an online video or two instructing them in the technique, the use of an EFT practitioner is overwhelmingly more effective and is what most clinical trials report. If you're looking to supplement or avoid pharmacological management of chronic pain, stress, anxiety, depression, etc. I encourage you to seek out an EFT practitioner. They will walk you through the process and almost without fail are able to help you meet your individualized goals by the end of your series of sessions. The cost may seem prohibitive, but the savings in the long run are usually well worth it. EFT is even great for children and adolescents, and I know one practitioner who has has extra training for these groups!

It's important, in my opinion, to find a certified EFT coach approved by EFT International, as there are others out there practicing substandard "EFT" techniques. Those who are certified by EFTi have gone through rigorous training and are required to continue to show evidence of improving their techniques and practice to maintain their certifications. I recommend this practitioner, in particular, for you or your children!

Selected References

1. Bach D, Groesbeck G, Stapleton P, Sims R, Blickheuser K, Church D. Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Improves Multiple Physiological Markers of Health. J Evid Based Integr Med. 2019 Jan-Dec;24:2515690X18823691. doi: 10.1177/2515690X18823691. PMID: 30777453; PMCID: PMC6381429.

2. Blacher S. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT): Tap to relieve stress and burnout. J Interprof Educ Pract. 2023 Mar;30:100599. doi: 10.1016/j.xjep.2023.100599. Epub 2023 Jan 14. PMID: 36687311; PMCID: PMC9840127.

3. Church, Dawson, and Audrey J. Brooks. "The effect of a brief emotional freedom techniques self-intervention on anxiety, depression, pain, and cravings in health care workers." Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal 9.5 (2010).

4. Church D, Stapleton P, Yang A, Gallo F. Is Tapping on Acupuncture Points an Active Ingredient in Emotional Freedom Techniques? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Comparative Studies. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2018 Oct;206(10):783-793. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000000878. Erratum in: J Nerv Ment Dis. 2020 Aug;208(8):632-635. PMID: 30273275.

5. Church D, Yount G, Brooks AJ. The effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: a randomized controlled trial. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2012 Oct;200(10):891-6. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e31826b9fc1. PMID: 22986277.

6. Nelms JA, Castel L. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Nonrandomized Trials of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for the Treatment of Depression. Explore (NY). 2016 Nov-Dec;12(6):416-426. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2016.08.001. Epub 2016 Aug 18. PMID: 27843054.

7. Peta S, Oliver B, Tom O, Bhuta S. Neural changes after Emotional Freedom Techniques treatment for chronic pain sufferers. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2022 Nov;49:101653. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101653. Epub 2022 Jul 31. PMID: 35933806.

8. Rancour P. The Emotional Freedom Technique: Finally, a Unifying Theory for the Practice of Holistic Nursing, or Too Good to Be True? J Holist Nurs. 2017 Dec;35(4):382-388. doi: 10.1177/0898010116648456. Epub 2016 May 11. PMID: 27170647.