by: Kevin O. Hunking
In this post we will be exploring the energy healing technique known as EFT.

The acronym EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques which is a relatively new and fast-developing treatment within the field of Energy Healing. It is a form of therapy that has caught the attention of many healers, spiritualists, lay people and even the scientific community.

Sometimes referred to as “Psychological acupressure”, EFT purportedly works by releasing blockages in the body’s energy system (as discussed in a previous post). These blockages in the energy system challenge us emotionally and often lead to limiting beliefs and behaviors which do not allow us to live life in harmony.

Symptoms include a lack of confidence and self-esteem, compulsive/addictive behaviors, and a stuck feeling that includes anxiety and depression. This emotional disharmony has proven to be a key factor in physical symptoms and disease. These EFT techniques are now being used on physical issues, including chronic illness with consistently impressive results. EFT techniques are now being accepted in more and more medical/psychiatric circles and are increasingly being employed in psychotherapies and main-stream healing disciplines.

EFT treatments involve the use of the practitioner’s fingertips rather than the needles utilized in acupuncture. A light “tapping” is applied on the end points of energy meridians that are situated just beneath the surface of the skin. The treatment is non-invasive and works on the premise of making change as pain free and enjoyable as possible.

EFT draws its power from ancient Eastern practices that have been around for over 5,000 years. These ideas have been largely ignored by Western Healing Practices, until recently. In our current “information rich” times our Medical Community is reopening itself to the forgotten truth that everything is Energy and the new healing potentials that are opening up to us as a result.

Gary Craig introduced EFT to the West in the 1990’s. Since then it has provided thousands of people with relief, often in a startlingly quick time and after long periods of searching for a more traditional cure.

EFT is drawing attention from the full range of healing professionals; from scientists to spiritualists and everyone in between. It has proven to be a rejoining of the old Eastern and new Western philosophies.

EFT also serves to restore awareness and trust in our natural healing abilities, providing many opportunities to achieve physical and emotional well-being for the patient in a much faster time frame than many traditional tools.

Because the techniques are comparatively simple, they can be used effectively by the individual without the need for ongoing professional intersession. This empowers people to actively contribute to their own healing process, a much faster relief process (previously believed impossible by healthcare professionals who advocated lengthy and often painful hours in psychotherapeutic or medical care). EFT in no way undermines the medical and psychotherapeutic professions, but rather serves to compliment a holistic healing process.

How does it work?

EFT works to restore emotional harmony by clearing disruptions and eliminating poor emotional responses which offers relief from physical discomfort.

The practitioner focuses on the specific problem while tapping their fingers on the end points of the known energy meridians within the body. Kinetic energy is then sent throughout our body’s bioenergy system. This facilitates a “straightening out” of the energy system thereby eliminating the “short circuit” that was caused by the body’s response to a negative emotion.

The Bioenergy System

Many years ago, Chinese healers discovered a complex system of energy circuits that run throughout our bodies. These circuits (known as meridians) are the centerpiece of most Eastern healing practices. They form the entire basis for current acupuncture and acupressure practices along with a wide variety of other healing techniques.

This invisible energy flow courses through the body at all times. EFT provides striking evidence that unique energy flows within your meridians. You know it is there by its effects. By simply tapping near the end points of your energy meridians you can experience some profound changes in your emotional and physical health.

While Western medicine focuses on the chemical nature of the body and has not paid much attention to these subtle, powerful, energy flows, they do exist and are attracting an expanding group of researchers.

Why should you choose this form of therapy?

• It provides a very positive experience
• It is a proactive response to emotional turmoil
• It often works where nothing else does
• It is usually a fast, long lasting relief from many physical symptoms
• It can be self-applied (in most situations). It may require more detailed attention from an experienced EFT Practitioner in more serious cases.
• No drugs or equipment are needed

 Proper EFT Tapping

The EFT tapping sequence is generally takes patients only a few minutes to learn. With a little practice, you will be performing each round in under a minute.

BTW: While it is important to tap the correct area, don’t spend a lot of time being absolutely precise, as tapping the general area is sufficient.

It’s All in the Fingertips

The first thing to recognize is that you will be tapping with your fingers, as there are a number of acupuncture meridians on your fingertips as well. When you tap with your fingertips you are using not only the meridians you are tapping on, but also the ones on your fingers.

Standard EFT recommends tapping with the fingertips of your index finger and middle finger (with only one hand). Either hand works equally well. Most of the tapping points exist on both the left and right sides of the body too, so it doesn’t matter which side you use. You can switch sides during the tapping, as well. For example, you can tap under your right eye and, later in the tapping, under your left arm.

Ideally, you will want to use your fingertips, not your finger pads. They have more meridian points. If you have long fingernails you will need to use your finger pads and not your nails, however.

Tap Solidly – But Don’t Hurt Yourself!

Tap solidly, but never so hard as to hurt yourself.

Tap on the points outlined below about 5-7 times each. The actual number is not critical, but should be about the length of time it takes for one full in and out breathe. Each tapping point is below the one before it. That makes it easy to memorize. You can, however, tap the points in any order and sequence just so long as all the points are covered. It just is easier to go from top to bottom to make sure you remember to do them all.