Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), often referred to as EFT Tapping, has sparked a considerable debate in both scientific and therapeutic communities. While skeptics label it as pseudoscience, there is a growing body of evidence and support suggesting otherwise.
In this post, we will explore why EFT should not be dismissed as pseudoscience, highlighting its scientific basis, effectiveness, and acceptance in the therapeutic world.
EFT Tapping involves tapping on specific acupressure points on the body while simultaneously focusing on a particular emotional issue or physical symptom. This practice is rooted in the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, which goes back for thousands of years.
It is based on the understanding that we are all energetic beings, expressing our experience through a physical body. The physical body experiences symptoms when the energetic body experiences a disruption.
In EFT, as with acupuncture, we work from the energetic perspective, and the understanding that energy flows through the body along specific pathways called meridians. By tapping on these meridian points, while tuning into a particular memory or disruption, EFT works by restoring balance to the body's energy system, thereby alleviating emotional and physical distress.
When people speak of science in the field of medicine, it is often referring to biochemistry. However, when we look at the science of Energy Medicine, we look more toward explanations found in quantum mechanics.
According to the quantum mechanics, everything in the universe is composed of energy in the form of particles and waves, including the human body. Quantum energy is the basic energy that is the building blocks of everything in the universe. It is the energy that makes up our bodies, and is found in the smallest levels of matter that exists.
Beyond matter, quantum physicists have discovered that the unseen world is made, very simply, of energy.
Energy is what animates the human form. Without energy, there is no physical body. Without energy, the human body dies.
Our emotions are energy. Scientists have cut open and studied every aspect of the body and are unable to identify where emotions live. The best explanation they can conceive is that emotions are equal to neuropeptides. And yet, even neuropeptides are made, first of energy.
When our energy is moving smoothly, we are happy, energetic, and healthy.
When our emotions are stuck or blocked, we experience symptoms. Those symptoms often first manifest as negative emotions such as sadness which can quickly transform into illness such as depression if left unattended.
That is the role of EFT Tapping.
In EFT Tapping, we tune into the blockage and tap on specific meridian points on the body to release those blockages and allow the energy to move freely once more. Once the energy is moving unencumbered, the symptoms can simply disappear.
While the understanding of the movement of energy in the body has been known for thousands of years, the science that supports it, ie quantum mechanics, is relatively new.
The same is true of the Emotional Freedom Techniques. While EFT was discovered by founder Gary Craig, based on discoveries from Dr. Roger Callahan, Dr. George Goodheart, and John Thie, in the early 1990's, it is still in it's infancy.
Much of the "science" that surrounds EFT Tapping is based on subjective research, simply because we currently have no scientific way of measuring whether a person is no longer riddled with a fear, phobia, limiting belief, anxiety, addiction, etc. It is only through subjective experience that we are able to measure the results of EFT Tapping.
Contrary to the claims of skeptics, there is a substantial and growing body of empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of EFT. Numerous studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that EFT can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other emotional disorders. For example, a meta-analysis published in the "Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease" found that EFT is effective in reducing anxiety, with results comparable to or better than traditional psychological interventions.
Research into the biological mechanisms of EFT has revealed that tapping on specific acupressure points can have measurable effects on the body's stress response. Studies using functional MRI (fMRI) and electroencephalogram (EEG) have shown changes in brain activity following EFT sessions, particularly in areas associated with stress and emotional regulation.
Additionally, EFT has been found to reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, further supporting its physiological impact.
EFT is increasingly being integrated into conventional healthcare settings as a complementary therapy. Many mental health professionals, including psychologists and counselors, have incorporated EFT into their practice due to its effectiveness and ease of use. Organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) have acknowledged the benefits of EFT, and it is gaining traction in evidence-based treatment protocols.
EFT Tapping is far from being pseudoscience. With a solid foundation in empirical research, demonstrated biological mechanisms, and growing acceptance in clinical practice, EFT stands as a legitimate and valuable therapeutic tool.
As our understanding of EFT continues to evolve, it is likely to gain further recognition and integration into mainstream healthcare, offering a holistic approach to emotional and physical well-being. By keeping an open mind and considering the evidence, we can appreciate the potential benefits of EFT and its role in promoting health and healing.
