In this month’s BONUS article, I am introducing ‘tapping’ (also known as Emotional Freedom Technique) and discussing its value in the relief of pain. I admit I was skeptical when I first heard of tapping several years ago, but having studied and practiced it for a while now, I’ve found it to be a successful method to deal with stubborn emotional and physical pain issues. Tapping holds many benefits for those who want to resolve pain in a natural way without drugs, surgeries or drastic medical intervention. If what you are about to read resonates with you, take time to check out the 14th. Annual Tapping World Summit, which is available FREE online for 10 days starting this Monday, February 28. Experts from around the world will explain how tapping is used to obtain immediate results in improved health and immune function, stress reduction, pain relief and greater happiness overall. For more info, e-mail Contact@TheTappingSolution.com.
EFT Tapping is a method of rewiring the brain to bring the mind and body back into harmony. It combines the latest developments in Western medicine and psychology with ancient healing techniques from the East, targeting both the emotional and physical aspects of pain. First developed over 30 years ago by a psychologist, Dr. Roger Callahan, tapping has been used since by tens of thousands of people to successfully address chronic pain issues. Gary Craig, an engineer at Stanford University, later simplified the technique and named it ‘Emotional Freedom Technique.’ Another contributor to the tapping phenomenon is Candace Pert, a doctor of pharmacology and researcher with the NIH who wrote the groundbreaking book ‘Molecules of Emotion.’ In her book, Ms. Pert wrote about opioid receptors in the brain which bind with specific ‘keys,’ or peptides, which can radically change the behavior of the cell. Her research findings formed the scientific basis for the understanding that physical ailments and pain can be resolved by addressing root causes in the emotions. John Sarno, pain researcher and author of ‘Healing Back Pain,’ took Candace Pert’s research further by identifying a bodymind condition that he termed ‘Tension Myositis Syndrome’ (TMS.) According to Sarno, we all experience anger, fear and stress as a natural reaction to daily life, which create a vicious cycle of nervous system changes, leading to tensed muscles, mental stress, depression, disturbed sleep patterns and guarded posture. He and others believe that the brain has a ‘negativity bias’ brought about by centuries of human survival wherein the default setting of the brain is to overestimate threats and underestimate our resources for dealing with real or imagined stresses. The result of this ‘paper tiger syndrome’ for many people is the experience of unrelenting, ongoing pain in various parts of the body.
Over the years, under the guidance of EFT/tapping expert Nick Ortner, the tapping technique has become more sophisticated and refined, while remaining easy to access and implement. Mr. Ortner recommends first focusing one’s attention on the pain to be addressed. This runs counter to much current medical advice, which encourages patients to try to forget about their pain with a reliance on anti-inflammatory drugs and other pharmaceutical solutions. However, tapping takes an opposite approach. Mr. Ortner recommends keeping a journal and placing full attention on your pain just prior to starting the tapping process. Ask yourself questions like, What does my pain look like? What ‘color’ is it? Does it have a texture, a shape, a sound? Does it feel hot, or is the pain sharp, stabbing or dull? Does it radiate or is it just focused in one area? When did it originate? Can I link the onset of my pain to any prior life event? Is there any time of day when my pain is more noticeable? What exactly do I experience when my pain is bad? Then, mentally assess the degree of your pain on a scale of 1 to 10. This is called the SUDS, or Subjective Units of Distress Scale. Your goal will be to realize improvements in these measurements, so write this information down in your journal. Next, create a ‘set up statement’ for yourself. A set up statement is simply a description of how your pain is making you feel in the present moment, plus a phrase stating your desired outcome. An example might be: “Even though I am now feeling pain in <this part of my body,> I choose to release this pain now.” Then, create a ‘reminder phrase.’ A reminder phrase is short … just a few words to describe your pain, for example: “this pain is in my lower back…this pain is in my lower back…” Now, you are ready to begin the tapping process.
Tapping involves the verbal expression of emotions while tapping with your fingertips on specific meridian points on the body. The first of these is the ‘karate chop point’ which is located on the outside of the palm of each hand, a couple of inches above the wrist. There are eight other tapping points located on the head and upper body. In sequence, they are:
Eyebrows (the inner corner where the eyebrow starts)
Side of the eye (outer corner where the eyebrow ends)
Under the eye (centrally located on the eye socket below the eye)
Under the nose (directly underneath each nostril)
Chin (in the central, most prominent part of the chin)
Collarbone (below the neck, about 3 – 4” apart)
Under the arms (side of the body, about 6” below the armpit)
Top of the head (highest point of the crown)
Find a comfortable, quiet spot where you will be undisturbed for a few minutes. Concentrating on your set up statement, gently tap the karate chop point on each hand three times with the opposite hand while repeating your statement out loud. Then, move on through the eight point sequence while saying your reminder phrase out loud. You can use one hand or both, as each tapping point runs over a meridian line. Most people like to tap with both hands as they go through the sequence. Tap a number of times until you feel moved to go on to the next tapping point. After a few minutes, stop and get in touch with the pain you were feeling. Has it lessened at all? Has it shifted, or moved in one direction or another? Does it feel different in any way? Sometimes, pain can feel worse initially, a condition known as ‘healing crisis.’ Usually, though, you will experience a change, even if slight, in the area of pain. When you notice any change, write it down in your journal. Changes show that there has been a shift in your energy biofield, indicating that your body and brain are reacting positively to the statements you are making while tapping.
Another method of tapping is to perform a ‘negative round’ followed by a ‘positive round.’ For example, let’s imagine that you are experiencing debilitating lower back pain. A sample session might go like this, starting with the ‘negative round:’
Karate Chop #1: Even though this back pain is overwhelming, I choose to relax my back muscles now.
Karate Chop #2: Even though this back pain lessens my quality of life, I choose to release the stress and pain and let it go.
Karate Chop #3: Even though this back pain is agonizing, I choose to envision a wonderful pain-free life.
Eyebrow: I have so much to do! This pain is overwhelming.
Side of eye: Everything is screaming for my attention!
Cheeks: It’s just too much. I need some support!
Nose: There’s so much to do…I feel hopeless.
Chin: My pain just gets worse and worse.
Collarbone: I find it so hard to relax.
Under arms: This pain just makes me feel awful…
Top of head: I wish everyone would just get off my back!
These little ‘scripts’ will be unique to you and your situation. It’s not necessary to think of them beforehand; it’s simpler just to let them come to the surface by themselves and be verbalized as you go through the motions of tapping.
Next, let’s finish up with a positive round:
Eyebrow: I choose to see all of this differently now.
Side of eye: My back loosens up and the pain starts to flow out.
Cheeks: My shoulders relax and my jaw feels looser.
Nose: I breathe deeply and let all my stress and anger melt away.
Chin: It feels good to let it all go!
Collarbone: Pain doesn’t define me. I am free!
Under arms: Life is good and I enjoy everything.
Top of head: I am grateful for everything in my life.
The amazing results that pain sufferers have reported after using the tapping technique can be explained in part by the effect of the vibrational motion on the meridian channels that run throughout the body. While the energetic flow of ‘chi’ or life energy through these channels is one of the cornerstones of ancient Chinese medicine, it was not until the 1960’s that Western medicine recognized this system, when threadlike tubular structures were first seen on electron microscope images throughout the body’s anatomy. Sophisticated CT imaging now shows that specific acupuncture points along the body’s meridians have a distinct structure and greater density of micro-vessels than do non-acupuncture points. Think of the meridian channels as the body’s own fiber optic network. They carry an enormous amount of information, often beyond the information carried through the body’s nervous system or chemical systems. By accessing these meridian channels while processing thoughts and emotions out loud, tapping is able to get to the source of pain more quickly than many other pain relief techniques. The act of tapping sends calming, relaxing messages to the amygdala, the brain’s ‘command center,’ helping to override the brain’s centuries old negativity bias. By neutralizing what the brain believes to be threats to its survival, tapping acts to reprogram and rewire the brain to support more positive experiences, including pain relief, relaxation and increased happiness. Tapping can reduce stress, lower cortisol levels in the body, improve sleep patterns, provide relief from pain, depression and anxiety, boost the immune system, increase productivity and so much more.
If you are interested in tapping as a natural pain relief method, please take the opportunity to learn more by checking out the 14th. Annual Tapping World Summit which is available FREE online commencing Monday, February 28. You will learn from experts in the field who cover tapping/EFT in great depth. Registration is underway now. Here’s to your pain-free life!
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