EFT/TFT - What is it and does it work?
Emotional freedom technique (EFT), which people often refer to as EFT tapping, is an alternative therapy for anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and some other conditions.
According to the developer of EFT, Gary Craig, tapping on different parts of the body helps balance energy and reduce physical and emotional pain.
EFT, also known as tapping or psychological acupressure, first came to prominence in the 1990s when developer Gary Craig published information about the therapy on his website.
It involves tapping specific points on the body, primarily on the head and the face, in a particular sequence. While doing this, the person focuses on the issue that they wish to treat.
According to EFT International, the technique can be helpful for people with:
anxiety
depression
chronic pain
stress
weight loss issues
other problems
As with acupuncture and acupressure, tapping involves the body’s energy meridian points, which are a concept in Chinese medicine. Proponents believe them to be areas of the body through which energy flows.
In this theory, blocks or imbalances in the flow of energy lead to ill health. According to EFT advocates, tapping on these meridian points with the fingertips restores the balance of energy to resolve physical and emotional issues.
It can also work in a similar way to mindfulness, as it can draw a person’s attention to their body and breathing. It may serve as a mental distraction from the issues that are causing anxiety or stress.
A 2019 study involving 203 individuals tested the physical reactions and psychological symptoms of people attending EFT workshops. The majority of people that took part were women over the age of 50 years.
The researchers reported that participants experienced significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms, as well as in pain levels and cravings. They also reported improvements in happiness.
TFT what's different?
Fundamentally, Emotional Freedom Techniques is a “one size fits all” approach to managing traumatic memories, triggers, and negative emotions, while TFT is a more customized approach that gives you the ability to really focus in on specific emotions and triggers when you need to. Some TFT experts believe it is not important what area on the body to tap and that tapping any spot will offer the same benefits, but others insist that tapping specific pressure points for a particular amount of time is necessary for treating certain conditions.
For example, in an attempt to lessen anxiety, it is suggested to tap pressure points a certain amount of times, and for trauma or phobias tap under the eyes, under arm and collarbone. Each condition is assigned its own algorithm.
TFT procedures may also involve the integration of other practices to aid in releasing stress, such as moving the eyelids, counting, or humming. TFT is taught at different levels of advancement, in which trainees learn a variety of different tapping sequences that equate to enhanced benefits.
Bottom Line
Some people may think EFT/TFT is a bunch of mumbo jumbo nonsense, but it is a form of energy healing (therefore holistic) and energy healing practices have been around for centuries - so I certainly believe in it, use it on myself and definitely have felt the results.