Tapping or Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a gentle, non-invasive and effective way to bring down intensity of emotions. It has been used since the 1970s and more research is being done on this intervention indicating the effect it has on the brain and body. As it is easy to learn and apply it can be an incredibly powerful technique that once learnt can be applied to almost anything and anywhere.
The basic theory behind EFT or Tapping is that all negative emotions are a result of disruption to the body’s energy system. So by tapping on these energy systems, Meridians, the energy is re-adjusted and restored to bring about a different emotional state, reduced pain and a change of perspective on beliefs and thoughts.
EFT works on the emotional cause of such issues as:-
Pain, depression, anxiety, phobias, post traumatic stress disorder, panic, confidence issues, weight loss and cravings, stress, headaches, self-esteem to name just a few!
A part of the brain, the amygdala, is our alarm detector and any stressful, distressing emotion or thought triggers this alarm off to release such hormones as adrenaline and cortisol, keeping the body on fight/flight alert even with low grade persistent stress. This can also link back into long term memories which continue to raise the intensity of emotion.
So by tapping on certain points the brain starts to relearn that although the thought/memory/emotion is distressing the alarm system starts to switch off as it is no longer feeling threatened.
A good example is post traumatic stress disorder where after Tapping is applied, the memory of the event remains but the emotion that was attached to it is no longer intense – it has reduced or completely disappeared.
Once you learn where and how to tap you can tap on symptoms such as pain, headaches, muscular tension. You can tap on emotions such as anger, sadness, anxiety, fear, grief. You can tap on an actually event such as going to the dentist, speaking to new people, public speaking and you can also tap on the limiting beliefs that underlie perceptions about ourselves and memories from childhood that have formed those beliefs.
There are many good examples of using Tapping on the internet such as The Tapping Solution and EFT Universe.
If you would like more information about how to use Tapping please feel free to contact me.