May/June 2004 Alternative Health
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)

by Christopher J. Hegarty, Ph.D

In less than 10 years, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) has become a highly valued healing modality by more than five thousand medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, nurses and other health professionals in dozens of countries. Its simplicity, elegance and rapid healing abilities have been clinically demonstrated in thousands of cases for symptoms of trauma, stress, anxiety, fears, depression, addictive cravings, children’s issues and more.

Even in the hands of most newcomers, it often achieves either noticeable improvement or complete cessation of the client’s problem. For those practitioners who learn the advanced work, there are much higher success rates. Many skilled practitioners get measurable results over 80% of the time. In addition, the process is often rapid, long lasting and gentle and sometimes works when nothing else will.

How Does it Work?

EFT is sometimes called "acupuncture without needles" and generates its results by balancing the body’s energy meridians while the client "tunes in" to their problem in a gentle, conversational manner. In this way an important link is established between mind and body.

It parallels acupuncture, except that needles are not used. Instead, certain meridian points are stimulated by tapping with the fingertips while the client focuses on the issue they wish to resolve. A simple way to explain how the EFT strategies work is to use the analogy of a circuit breaker. Once a circuit is over-powered you cannot turn the lights back on until the circuit breaker has been reset. EFT resets the circuits in a person’s body and mind.

This acupressure-based healing modality was pioneered by renowned chiropractor, George Goodheart, furthered by medical doctor John Diamond and psychologist Roger Callahan and dramatically simplified and improved by Stanford engineer Gary Craig. With the initial aid of Adrienne Fowlie, Craig developed EFT and made the work elegant, efficient and affordable for almost anyone. Many people have achieved success using only the 79 page EFT Manual (which is free and can be downloaded from www.emofree.com). More in depth training is available at modest cost through live seminars and EFT’s 57 professional videos.

The favorite video of most practitioners is "6 Days at the VA". It displays full EFT sessions with Vietnam veterans and clearly shows how these hospitalized soldiers (with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) are freed from the horrors of war often in a matter of one or 2 sessions.

How, they questioned, could tapping with their fingertips on various acupuncture points bring relief to both physical and emotional pain? Nonetheless, the veterans were soon tapping along with Craig and more than 70% reported noticeable relief. Many claimed they were able to eliminate issues that years of conventional counseling had been unable to resolve.

Craig noted that "Einstein discovered decades ago that physical matter (including the human body) is made of energy. Thus, even though the human body may appear to be solid, its foundation is energetic at its core. This simple fact is one of the most universally agreed upon findings in the scientific world but, to date, it has not been well integrated into western healing procedures."

Unique Features of EFT

There are several features that set EFT apart from other such healing procedures. For example, it employs one basic tapping routine that is effective for both physical and emotional issues. That’s why diverse audiences can achieve high percentage results even though each member may be addressing a different issue.

Also, EFT’s results are often long term. Properly done, the process most often does not need to be repeated. This is particularly so with emotional issues involving traumatic memories, grief, fears and phobias. It is also true with many physical symptoms although highly skilled practitioners may be necessary in complicated cases. Many injuries, including sports injuries, tend to heal faster when EFT is part of the healing protocol.

For more information visit the EFT website (www.emofree.com).

Christopher J. Hegarty, Ph.D. is an alternative medicine researcher/journalist, best selling author and an advisor to a number of organizations in the health and healing field. His major focus is to make proven, valuable healing and health products and services well known internationally.