i like this technique
HEALING THERAPIES NEWSLETTER
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This is the 52nd email newsletter© (8,000+
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<http://www.healingtherapies.info/>www.healingtherapies.info,
the purpose of which is to expand the healing
spectrum of people with physical disabilities,
especially spinal cord dysfunction.
This newsletter specifically summarizes the
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a form of
acupressure-assisted exposure therapy in which
you tap on various acupressure points while
focusing on troublesome emotional issues.
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TAP YOUR TROUBLES AWAY
(Adapted from an article appearing in December 2010 PN Magazine)
The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) has become
a popular, mind-body healing modality that's
slowly transitioning into mainstream acceptance.
EFT is a form of acupressure-assisted exposure
therapy, where you tap on various acupressure
points while focusing on troublesome emotional
issues. Basically, the technique catalyzes the
release of negatively charged, stuck emotions
that compromise - like an albatross around our
necks - the fullness of our potential. Through
EFT, we let go energetically of the emotional
baggage that keeps us from moving on. The memory
is still there, but the charge is gone.
EFT has successfully treated issues that have
yielded reluctantly, at best, to years of
psychotherapy or medication. Furthermore, because
virtually all chronic disorders have mind-body
correlates, EFT has the potential to lessen
physical symptoms and pain, and pave the path to
healing. EFT is a self-healing and -empowerment
technique that people can learn to do by and for
themselves. It has no negative side effects.
The problem for many, however, is that the
technique seems too simple to generate the
stunning results often observed when more
involved, time-consuming, costly approaches have
fallen way short. We don't believe it can be that
easy; we want a therapy that conforms to our
expectations and biomedical understandings.
Energy Medicine
EFT falls under the umbrella of energy medicine
(specifically energy psychology) a very different
way of looking at healing and wellness than
conventional medicine. In fact, energy medicine,
which includes, for example,
acupuncture/acupressure, therapeutic touch,
homeopathy, light and sound therapy, is the
fastest growing subfield in medicine today.
Conventional medicine's reductionistic viewpoint
essentially believes that we are a "meat" machine
with component body parts, whether they are tiny
molecules like neurotransmitters, cells such as
neurons, or anatomical structures like our spinal
cords. If the body breaks down, we need to fix or
replace constituent parts, an example being
transplanting stem cells into an injured cord.
In contrast, reflecting healing philosophies that
prevailed throughout the ages until modern times,
energy medicine believes that our biochemistry is
affected by and interactive with our subtle
energy fields. If you attempt to fix
dysfunctional physiology without addressing this
superseding influence, healing will be inherently
limited. It is like trying to push a car in one
direction when the steering wheel is cranked
another way. A good conceptual example is that
restored function after stem-cell transplantation
(i.e., replacing a part) has been shown to be
greater when it is combined with acupuncture
(i.e., energetically pointing the stem cells in
the right direction).
EFT is based on two key energy-medicine tenets.
First, we have an acupunctural system of points
and meridians that regulate the flow of
life-force energy throughout our bodies. As an
analogy, view the meridians as a pipeline through
which the energy flows, the acupuncture points as
periodically placed, flow-controlling valves, and
the acupuncture needles as the socket wrench that
opens the valves. [With EFT, instead of needles,
the pressure of tapping fingers regulates the
flow.] Overall, each of us has a unique energy
flow that is optimal for our health, and when
this flow gets off-kilter for any
mind-body-spirit reason, we become compromised.
Secondly, emotions are a function of our internal
energy flows. When our energy flows are weak or
blocked, we may feel tired, cranky, irritable or
easily triggered. When our energy flows are
strong and open, we feel more fresh, present,
alive, loving, and joyful. By crimping energy
flow and distribution, negative emotions become
psychosomatic baggage. Although we may not
appreciate the influence of these, often
pushed-down, emotions in everyday life, they are
there, gnawing away at our ability to function
optimally. EFT releases the energy behind these
emotions. The heavy emotional suitcase we have
been dragging through the long concourse of life
becomes a light carry-on of non-charged memories.
Overall, EFT-generated benefits include 1)
desensitizing negative emotions and associated
physical reactions; 2) releasing mood-altering
neurotransmitters and hormones; 3) triggering the
relaxation response; 4) interrupting stuck or
limiting behavioral patterns/mind-sets; 5)
resetting the body's internal electrical system;
6) initiating energetic, perceptual, cognitive,
and physical shifts; and 7) inducing feelings of
joy, satisfaction, relaxation, peacefulness, and
well-being.
EFT Applications
EFT can blunt the impact of many of life's
"slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" that
chip away at our spirit, ranging from the minor
to the all-consuming. If you are uptight due to
traffic, being chewed out by your boss, or
arguing with your spouse, EFT can put you back on
an even keel. So to speak, EFT is the lint brush
that wipes away the unneeded clumps of emotional
lint that cling to us and cumulatively drag us
down over time.
At the other end of the spectrum, the suffering,
anguish, or anxiety associated with major issues,
like addiction, intense phobias, childhood abuse,
trauma, or post-traumatic stress, often let up in
response to EFT. On occasion, deep-seated,
life-compromising issues have been quickly
resolved with EFT. The emotional balloon swollen
with negative charge is punctured and deflated.
However, numerous issues require persistent
practice to dissipate the energies due to the
many problem aspects that need to be peeled away
layer by layer.
Underlying our negative behaviors, such as
irrational anger, acting out, addictions, and
psychosomatic conditions often lies trauma. In
addition, studies have shown a direct correlation
between adverse childhood experiences and later
adult illnesses.
In my case, I've incorporated ETF tapping into
everyday life. If I wake up at 3 am, fretting
about life's concerns, I tap and go back to
sleep. If I'm irritated from a perceived slight,
I tap it away, keeping it from festering under
the surface. In another example, I recently gave
a lecture on alternative medicine to mainstream
health professionals, who are often not receptive
to the topic. Given my concern about the audience
and public-speaking in general, I tapped before
my lecture. It released my speaking angst, and,
as a result, "the force was with me."
Various EFT applications are listed below; try it on any issue.
Academic performance
Addictions
Anxiety
Conflicts
Cravings
Depression
Fears & phobias
Guilt
Grief
Health
Insomnia
Obsessions
Pain management
Personal development
Post-traumatic stress
Procrastination
Relationships
Shame
Speaking & stage fright
Sports performance
Stress
Travel fears
Weight loss
EFT Procedures
Given their often profound results, the basic EFT
procedures are amazingly simple and can readily
be picked up after a few short demonstrations.
However, because it is more difficult to show
their simplicity through a brief, introductory
article, interested readers are encouraged to
check out the resources listed below. Although
procedures are easy, it is helpful to be guided
initially by an experienced EFT practitioner when
it comes to major issues.
As summarized below, you tap on key acupuncture
points while focusing on a specific issue. These
points are specifically selected because they are
located at the end of various acupuncture
meridians. If you have limited finger mobility,
use your hands or just visualize the tapping.
Part 2 will focus on post-traumatic-stress
disorder (PTSD), a problem experienced by many
veterans returning home from combat.
__________________________________________________________________
Setup Procedures
1) Start by picking the issue, attempting to be
as specific as possible. For general, amorphous
issues, dissect them into component parts and
work on each separately.
2) Assess issue intensity on a scale from zero to 10 (most intense).
3) Create a reminder phase to repeat while
tapping. For example, if you have fear of giving
talks, your reminder phrase might be "public
speaking."
4) Locate the EFT "tender spot" by going to the
base of the neck where a tie is knotted, and then
go down three inches and over three inches. This
area is sometimes tender when rubbed because of
lymphatic congestion.
5) While rubbing the tender spot, state the
following affirmation three times "Even though I
have this fear of public speaking [or war memory,
fear of flying, alcohol craving, etc], I deeply
and completely accept myself."
Tapping Sequence
Using several fingertips, tap 7-10 times at each
of the indicated locations while repeating your
reminder phase. The tapping points proceed down
the body, making them easier to memorize.
Face and Body: 1) Beginning of eyebrow on each
side of nose, 2) Side of eyes, 3) Under each eye,
4) Under the nose, 5) Middle of chin, 6)
Beginning of collarbone where the sternum and
first rib meets, 7) Four inches under each arm,
and 8) One inch below each nipple.
Hands & Fingers: Tap the 1) outside cuticle edge
of your thumb at the base of the thumbnail, 2)
thumb-facing edge of each finger (except ring
finger) at fingernail base, and 3) the fleshy
outside edge of the palm used to deliver a karate
chop (To save time, tapping can be consolidated,
e.g., the outside edge of your right thumb can be
used to tap on the outside edge of your left
thumb, etc.)
A longer EFT version includes tapping on the
hand's gamut point (see illustration) while
carrying out various eye movements, counting, and
humming tunes. Although sounding strange,
different parts of the brain are stimulated with
each of these actions.
Finally, reassess the intensity of the issue again and repeat the cycle.
________________________________________________________________
Acknowledgments: Special thanks are extended to
all my EFT teachers, especially John Freedom.
Resources:
1) www.eftuniverse.com is a comprehensive EFT
website listing many resources (including a free
"get-started package"), training opportunities,
and practitioners.
2) Freedom at your Fingertips compiled by Ron Ball, Inroads Publishing, 2006.
© 2011
<http://www.healingtherapies.info/>www.healingtherapies.info
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