Most people living in today’s hectic world battle stress on a daily basis. Besides affecting you emotionally, on-going, chronic stress can cause severe, long-term health concerns, such as damaging the heart and blood vessels. But thanks to the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), many Americans and Europeans are reducing their stress levels and are even sleeping better. If you suffer from stress and have difficulty sleeping, here’s what you should know about EFT and how it can help you feel less stressed and more rested.

What is EFT?

The Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as “tapping” or “psychological acupuncture”, is a somewhat new healing tool that’s been effectively used since the 1990s by scientists, healers, spiritualists and lay people for relieving stress. Developed by a Stanford engineer, Gary Craig, it’s based on the idea of energy flowing through the body along meridians as pathways.

This technique is somewhat like acupuncture and acupressure because it stimulates energy points or meridian points. But unlike acupuncture, which uses needles, EFT uses fingertips. When these energy points are tapped, the life force energy, known as “chi”, becomes unstuck. It works on the concept that regardless of what area of the body that needs to be improved, unresolved emotional problems can prevent healing.

How It’s Done

The Emotional Freedom Technique is so simple that children can do it. However, for your first session, it’s best to have it performed under the direction of a trained therapist. Once you’ve learned how it’s done, you can do it at home.

More is involved than just tapping pressure points. This treatment also includes speaking a truth regarding how you presently feel and then stating how you would like to feel, as you tap each pressure point. For example, you could say, “Although I feel anxious about driving in traffic, I know that I drive well and will safely arrive at my destination.”

You choose either your right or left hand to do the tapping. Then, using your first two or three fingers, you lightly tap on the pressure points. Apply about the same amount of pressure that you would in creating a drumming sound on a table.

Locations of the Tapping Points

There are several tapping or pressure points. The first point to tap is located on the side of your hand, which is known as the “karate chop” point. This point lies between the base of the little finger and wrist and is opposite the thumb. Using your first two fingers on your other hand, softly tap this point.

Your therapist or instructor will give you the specifics on where to find the exact spots of the other pressure points. These locations include the top of the head, eyebrow and the side of the eye, underneath the nose, the chin, the collarbone and under the arm.

How FTC Can Help You Sleep

The treatment has also been exceptionally effective in helping people fall and stay asleep. When you have a hard time falling asleep, simply tap your pressure points and recite an affirmative phrase that can help you relax. Think of the idea of drifting to sleep because this helps you invoke a pre-sleep state.

In other words, as you tap each pressure point, repeat to yourself drifting thoughts. During the pre-sleep stage, your mind is able to freely drift from an image or thought to another one in a much freer way than if you were not in this mode.

Proof of Its Effectiveness

Although there has been some skepticism from psychologists and physicians, there are also several undeniable positive studies, proving that EFT works well. For example, the APA (American Psychological Association) published a fairly recent critical review, confirming the effectiveness of EFT. What’s more, there have been other encouraging studies that have stated that people who suffered from trauma, who’ve undergone this treatment, have made remarkable progress.

Considerations and Warnings

• This technique is non-invasive as it’s designed to be pain-free and simple.
• Learning the entire process only takes about five minutes or even less.
• About three to seven taps are done on each pressure point.
• Do more than just think about your statement. As you tap on a pressure point, verbally repeat your affirmative phrase three times.
• EFT can be included with any type of medical treatment.
• EFT tapping works for most people, but in rare cases it has failed to be successful in specific patients.
• To ensure that you can personally benefit from EFT, it’s critical that you tap on pressure points the correct way by learning from a qualified and experienced instructor.

Stress and insomnia are common issues for women, and they can be especially problematic during perimenopause and menopause. To learn more about how to relieve stress and be healthier, visit Dr. Allie’s Vitality Clinics. We specialize in helping women understand how to naturally manage stress, along with controlling other perimenopause and menopause symptoms, so they can enjoy their lives. Please contact us.