EFT...Psychological Acupuncture?
What is Tapping?
Emotional Freedom Techniques or EFT Tapping enables the fast release of negative thoughts, behaviour and beliefs. Once the negative emotions or blocks have been cleared a new attitude and a positive outlook gently take the lead. EFT is brilliant as a support to business and personal life giving positive health benefits as well as increased mental well-being.
EFT/Tapping - Energy Psychology
EFT and Acupuncture both use the meridian system (energetic pathways ) of the body. in EFT instead of needles we use the finger tips to tap on the points. The fingers transmit electro magnetic energy gently into the meridians, these are connected to all the main organs of the body.
Whist we are tapping we say out loud whatever is bothering us. This could be pain or discomfort in the body, thoughts, emotions or beliefs. We do this first to accept whatever it is that's affecting us, then to clear it from our body-mind.
How does Tapping work?
Your body reacts in the same way whether you think about a traumatic event or it's actually taking place. In effect your body can't tell the difference between a wild animal threatening your life or a work colleague telling you you've done something wrong. Today's stressors are numerous, they can be financial, social, health or relationship, or family pressures.
The amygdala is the part of the brain that senses threats, its your personal alarm and triggers the fight /flight /freeze response. When the amygdala is constantly firing the body takes over as your energy gets ready to face the perceived threat. In a state of stress you can’t think clearly. Tapping sends calming signals to the amygdala, the brain fog lifts and you can think clearly again.
SCIENCE and RESEARCH into EFT
There have been 100s of studies and randomized trials conducted across the world to look at the many aspects of EFT...
- Study Shows 90% Drop in PTSD Symptoms after 6 weeks of EFT Treatment In this study, not only did EFT far outperform the effects of standard care for PTSD, but the results were also substantially maintained at the 3- and 6-month marks.
- Tapping Positively Influences Gene Expression in 72 Genes. One Hour of EFT Tapping Increases Immunity and Decreases Inflammation.
- Study shows EFT Tapping is a Fast, Long-Lasting Treatment for Anxiety. 76% of Patients Treated with EFT Experienced Complete Remission & Brain Scans Confirm Changes
- EFT Tapping Produces Changes in the Brain: Food Craving Reduced After 4 weeks (2 hours per week) of EFT Tapping, participants’ brain scans showed a remarkable reduction in food cravings.
Effect of Tapping on stress and anxiety
As we now know stress is one of the main causes of disease. It disrupts the body systems in many ways and triggers our survival mechanisms, taking the energy away from replacing cells warding off pathogens and generally maintaining health in the body.
Scientific research has found it lowers stress levels (cortisol) by 24 - 50% after 60 minutes.
Here is a link to the study: Reexamining the effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial - PubMed (nih.gov)
What can I do?
Develop Self Awareness
Try to become more aware of what you are feeling both on an emotional and a physical level. Learn tapping - it will support you though every aspect of your life. Taking control of your emotions will give you plenty more energy to do the things you love.
Be kind to yourself
We all have good days and bad days on our journey through life. State of mind is one of our most powerful tools in weathering the storms. Use tapping to help yourself get past the worst of the feelings - to unwind at the end of the day or as an emotional first aid when something particularly difficult has happened.
Create a new positive cycle - the way we deal with stress and anxiety is a learned response. By reprograming our mind we can take back control and change our habits for new nurturing ones and remember...
"Success fuels motivation; motivation fuels success."
Small Steps - Big Impact
Use positive self talk, spend time in nature to lift your mood and pamper yourself. Listen to music you love and reach out for help.
When you break the cycle the first time you are taking action that will cause changes far into the future. Don't underestimate the power of small changes. Get tapping! 5 - 10 minutes can make a difference.
Life is made up of small choices - each can support your wellbeing.
Science Update EFT & Weight Loss
Evidence based tapping studies
When it comes to weight loss tapping has shown significant benefits which improve over time. Whereas with the “normal approach” using diet and exercise have high rates of weight regained. EFT tapping has been shown to work better in the long term.
EFT Tapping Produces Changes in the Brain
Food Cravings Reduced After 4 weeks (2 hours per week) of EFT Tapping, participants’ brain scans showed a remarkable reduction in food cravings.
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) has been shown to have a lasting effect on food cravings, power over food and restraint ability, and ultimately results in weight loss.
IN 4 WEEKS OF EFT TAPPING TREATMENT,
PARTICIPANTS EXPERIENCED:
• Decreased Cravings for Carbs & Fast Food
• Increased Power-Over-Food
• Measurable Changes in Brain Activity
• Decrease in Depression and Anxiety
This study shows that the subjective changes in cravings were mirrored by changes in brain activity while viewing images of high-calorie foods.
Further studies looked at 16 hours of treatment comparing CBT and EFT
Good response to both across all the measures but EFT achieved outcomes in 8 weeks, CBT took 6 months to achieve similar results.
They were measured again in 12 and 24 months and the CBT group had reverted to their original scores the EFT group still showed improvement as before. People couldn’t remember what foods they’d tapped on. EFT works in the moment & stays changed.