EFT: The New Way to Manage Stress

I've seen it work on panic attacks, alcohol and cigarette cravings, allergies, tennis elbow, and agoraphobia. Many use it as a weight-loss tool. As Gary Craig, the founder of this easy-to-use ailment-buster, says, "Try it on everything." It's gentle, non-intrusive, and free.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is similar to acupuncture - but instead of having someone stick needles into you, you simply tap the spots where those needles would have been placed. These spots, or meridian points, come from traditional Chinese medicine and are found along inner energy circuits called meridians.

I've used EFT to lift my mood and unfurrow my worry lines. I've also used it on impending panic attacks and nausea. It worked.

I've seen demonstrations of EFT being used to cure a fear of water, a fear of heights, depression, and obsession with a negative incident from the distant past. I've tapped my way to more confidence, and to avoiding alcohol when I'm the designated driver. (Alcohol is bad for your skin anyway.)

How is EFT done? First, you define the precise ailment you want to relieve. For instance, "this headache." Then, with your index and third finger, you tap pre-determined parts of your body, usually starting with a point above the eyebrow, then moving to the bone under the eye, the collarbone, and a number of other spots. With each tap, you repeat your phrase "this headache." The entire routine is done three times. Often the headache will be gone in those few minutes - with no medication.

But that's just a broad overview of the process. To get complete instructions, including diagrams of the exact tapping spots, go to Gary Craig's website. You can get the instruction manual as a free download.

The premise of EFT, as explained on Mr. Craig's site, is this: "The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system... Our unresolved negative emotions are major contributors to most physical pains and diseases." And it's my personal opinion that negative emotions contribute to wrinkles, perhaps some rashes, and bad posture.

You don't have to believe this premise for it to work. It's not a "clap if you want Tinkerbell to live" type thing. And it doesn't work 100% of the time. But it works a lot, and it often works fast. Many people have reported major improvement in one or two sessions.

EFT's cousin, EMDR, is an accepted practice in many therapists' offices. EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, involves similar physical, non-intrusive techniques, including tapping, moving the eyes in a circle, and counting. The EMDR Institute recommends it for therapists treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder.

But EFT you can do on yourself, any time, any place. Hey, pull the car over if you get a cigarette urge, and start tapping.

EFT is not an alternative to your physician's advice and medications. If you don't feel well, always go to the doctor. Not everyone responds to EFT.