Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as tapping, involves tapping on nine specific points on the face, body and hands and practitioners following a specific EFT protocol. EFT aims to support individuals in identifying and tuning into what they are feeling, which can, in turn, help individuals understand and regulate their emotions. EFT engages certain acupressure points that can help stimulate energy flow throughout the body's meridians. This can lead to improved emotional and physical well-being and reduced stress levels, effectively addressing deep emotional connections to past traumatic experiences (Sebastian & Nelms, 2017). EFT practitioners also use positive affirmations and reframing to address limiting beliefs and negative self-talk, which can be used to address specific phobias and anxiety and reduce overall physical and emotional tension (Xanthou, 2020).
EFT improves physiological and psychological outcomes for individuals across various symptoms and issues. EFT has been used as an intervention to support individuals experiencing anxiety, phobias, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder with improved symptoms of emotional distress and, in some cases, an increase in happiness (Feinstein, 2012). A decrease in negative emotions was an important outcome of studies measuring the benefits of EFT in cases of ongoing physiological pain where individuals were better able to accept conditions and manage the physical aspects of chronic disease (Kalla et al., 2018). One study found a reduction in cortisol levels in individuals experiencing headaches, finding stress levels to reduce and overall quality of life improving (Bougea et al., 2014). Being rooted in acupuncture, EFT can also be effective in treating short-term physiological issues such as lower back pain, nausea, and vomiting, the results of using EFT, therefore, are positive health outcomes alongside better mental health (Bach et al., 2019).
References
Bach, D., Groesbeck, G., Stapleton, P., Sims, R., Blickheuser, K., & Church, D. (2019). Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) improves multiple physiological markers of health. Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, 24(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177_2515690X18823691
Bougea, A. M., Spandideas, N., Alexopoulos, E. C., Thomaides, T., Chrousos, G. P., & Darviri, C. (2013). Effect of the emotional freedom technique on perceived stress, quality of life, and cortisol salivary levels in tension-type headache sufferers: A randomized controlled trial. Explore, 9(2), 91-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2012.12.005
Feinstein, D. (2012). Acupoint stimulation in treating psychological disorders: Evidence of efficacy. Review of General Psychology, 16(4), 364-380. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028602
Kalla, M., Simmons, M., Robinson, A., & Stapleton, P. (2018). Emotional freedom techniques (EFT) as a practice for supporting chronic disease healthcare: a practitioners’ perspective. Disability and Rehabilitation, 40(14), 1654-1662. https://doi.org.au/10.1080/09638288.2017.1306125
Sebastian, B., & Nelms, J. (2017). The effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis. Explore, 13(1), 16-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2016.10.001
Xanthou, A. (2020). The effectiveness of' “EFT - Emotional Freedom Techniques'' in people with phobias. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience & Mental Health, 3(1), 5-33. https://doi.org/10.26386/obrela.v3i1.173