Tapping Into Your Hidden Power

For thousands of years, hands have played a significant role in the healing practices of many peoples and cultures. While the concept of “laying on of hands” fell into disfavor for more than 500 years, there is now a resurgence of interest in hands-on healing, both within Western medicine and in complementary health care. More than 100 studies conducted at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami prove scientifically what ancient civilizations understood -- that touch is an essential part of human health and well being. As skin contains millions of receptors that send messages via the body’s energy system to the brain, a simple touch has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate and ease stress.

Numerous energy healing modalities today are based on touch, one of which is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Humans automatically and instinctively touch natural comfort spots on their bodies many times each day. When facing an emotionally upsetting situation how do you normally react? Have you ever clapped your hand to your forehead or placed your hands at the sides of your face or over your mouth when receiving bad or shocking news? Have you ever seen anyone hug themselves under duress? Our hands carry an electromagnetic charge, and from birth we instinctively use them to comfort ourselves. EFT intentionally uses that natural inclination for a more purposeful direction of energy.

EFT involves tapping the fingertips on key acupuncture points on the head and upper body. Tapping increases the flow of electricity, instantly attuning the body and mind to a unique state of receptivity and relaxation. Repeating a carefully chosen pattern of words and phrases while tapping reaches the subconscious on a deep level, enabling permanent changes to be made. Distressing events or negative experiences can result in emotional “short circuits” that live on in the subconscious mind and influence our behavior for years and sometimes for a lifetime. While EFT cannot change a past event or even the memory of it, it can permanently neutralize the associated emotional “charge” and change a negative belief to a positive one. While tapping provides the mechanism, it is the intent and phrasing that make the technique so successful.

How EFT functions can best be described by comparing it with a valve on a pressure cooker. Both are designed to let off steam in a safe and healthy manner. As the pot heats up, steam begins to build. When the interior pressure reaches a critical point the valve on top of the pot begins to jiggle back and forth, allowing the steam to escape harmlessly in small amounts. What happens if the valve becomes clogged or stuck? Without a way to escape gradually, the built up steam blows the lid off the pot, blasting its contents upward to drip from the ceiling. The body also needs a safety valve and EFT provides it. Without a healthy outlet for the buildup of stress, the body also “blows.” Unlike a pressure cooker, humans commonly drive emotional stress inward where it can result in sickness and unhealthy behaviors such as aggression, substance abuse or addictions. At the worst, internalized stress can cause depression, chronic pain, obesity, panic disorders, and serious diseases such as cancer and other life-threatening conditions. According to the American Institute on Stress, up to 90% of non-accident related visits to doctors are for physical conditions caused by unrelieved emotional stress.

EFT is an easy, self administered way to release stress that is being used around the world, both by professionals and ordinary people of all ages and all walks of life. While many people have not yet heard of it, various forms of EFT have been evolving for over 25 years. It originated in the early 1980s with the work of George Goodheart, known as the “Father of Applied Kinesiology.” He was also a friend and fellow collaborator with John Diamond, MD, another energy healing pioneer who wrote the book Your Body Doesn’t Lie. In the 1990s American psychologist Dr. Roger Callahan built on their work to create Thought Field Therapy (TFT). Then came Gary Craig, a student of Dr. Callahan’s whose initial training had been in engineering at Stanford University. Gary purchased the technology from Dr. Callahan and created EFT as it is practiced today.

EFT can be learned by anyone and works effectively on any emotionally based issue or condition. It has a high (85%) success rate for eliminating such problems as fears and phobias, anxiety, mental blocks, insomnia, relationship issues, grief, performance issues, chronic pain and much more.

How can anything as simple as tapping on the body be so effective for so many emotional and physical conditions? That’s what thousands of people wonder the first time they observe EFT in action. The only way to get past skepticism is to experience the remarkable benefits of EFT for yourself. You have nothing to lose but your emotional baggage that gets heavier the longer you carry it. Perhaps it is time to stop dragging it.