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EFT - The Emotional Freedom Technique
Acupuncture Without the Needles?
Have you always thought acupuncture would benefit you, but you're scared of needles?
Then you might consider trying the Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as EFT. The Emotional Freedom Technique is similar to acupuncture, only instead of having needles inserted into meridian points, the patient uses their fingertips to tap on the points located in various areas of the body. This tapping stimulates energy flow in the same way acupuncture would. Also, many acupuncture meridians are located on the fingertips, so tapping stimulates these points as well.
EFT is a form of psychotherapeutic alternative medicine that focuses on emotional healing.
The Emotional Freedom Technique is based on the belief that negative emotions wreak havoc on the energy meridians that run through the human body. Depression, anxiety, addictions, and weight problems, among a host of other disorders, are evidence of unresolved past emotional issues. The Emotional Freedom Technique practitioners believe that if a patient recalls a specific upsetting experience or emotion, while simultaneously tapping on a series of meridian points, the body's energy field will be restored to balance and the process of healing can begin.
Once you learn EFT you can use it to help yourself anywhere, at any time!
The first step in the Emotional Freedom Technique is choosing an issue to focus on. The issue could be something as minor as anxiety over a job interview to something more distressing, such as a severe headache or traumatic life experience. The next step is to rate the level of emotional intensity this issue sparks based on a scale of 1-10. It is important to tune into how you feel before you begin EFT, in order to accurately determine how much you've improved after treatment. Next, repeat the phrase, "Even though I...(state the issue)...I deeply and completely love and accept myself." Tap the series of meridian points – the side of your left hand, top of head, eyebrow points, side of eye, under the eye, under the nose, the chin, collarbone points, and under the arms – five to seven times.
EFT is even being incorporated successfully into couple's therapy.
Therapists who work with troubled couples are discovering that the Emotional Freedom Technique has the power to break through destructive patterns of anger and blame, allowing new, healthy programs and thought processes to emerge. Usually the session begins with a demonstration of how EFT can immediately improve minor physical complaints. This serves to relax the couple, as well as gain their interest and trust in the process. Afterwards, the couple begins to tap on all issues that they are facing. They tap on each other as well as on themselves, and therapists have noted this seems to have a bonding effect as the couple's energies entwine.
The Emotional Freedom Technique is also useful for treating eating disorders and panic attacks.
The Emotional Freedom Technique therapists believe that eating disorders are caused primarily by unresolved negative emotions such as fear and guilt. The patient fixates in an unhealthy way on food as a result of these underlying emotional states. EFT practitioners help patients to identify and dissolve the emotions that inspire self-destructive impulses. The Emotional Freedom Technique also provides relief to those who suffer from panic disorder. In these patients, the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for the "fight or flight" response, is out of balance. During a panic attack, a stress hormone called cortisol is released in vast amounts. Cortisol can be reduced by laughter, so EFT practitioners often have patients laugh while tapping on the meridian points.
EFT is a safe, natural alternative for those who wish to avoid years of medication.
The Emotional Freedom Technique is a gentle, non-invasive therapy that seeks to heal, rather than mask, the root causes of many disorders. EFT can be practiced by an individual whenever they are in need of it, in moments of fear or crisis, and there are no harmful side effects. By unraveling the layers of emotion surrounding an illness or other issue, not only are the body's energy patterns restored to balance, but true freedom from the past can be achieved.
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