Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
Tap yourself free
EFT is short for Emotional Freedom Technique and is based on Energy Psychology. It is also described as psychological acupressure. In EFT, several acupuncture points on the face, torso, hands and legs are tapped and stimulated, blocked energy is being released.. Each acupuncture point is connected to an organ through the meridian system. Dr. George J. Goodheart connected various muscles to a specific meridian, and John Diamond added the emotional connection.
EFT is a wonderful modality to be used complementary and in addition to any traditional treatment. EFT combines cognitive and somatic elements of therapy. EFT, as well as all the other modalities that I use, work on the premise that our body has innate healing abilities and that we already hold the answer or solution to our questions or issues, whether these are health related, blocked feelings, fears or phobias and much more.
EFT is a wonderful modality to be used complementary and in addition to any traditional treatment. EFT combines cognitive and somatic elements of therapy. EFT, as well as all the other modalities that I use, work on the premise that our body has innate healing abilities and that we already hold the answer or solution to our questions or issues, whether these are health related, blocked feelings, fears or phobias and much more.
What is the difference between EFT and CBT?
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works on the premise that what we THINK and how we consequently BEHAVE affects how we FEEL. CBT looks at the stuck-points and why certain behavior may be maladaptive after a certain time. A form of CBT is used in all sessions as we look at behavioral structures as well as the thought process that led to a certain behavior.
EFT incorporates aspects of CBT but leans on the body and minds capacity to adjust and heal itself. While one is tapping on a certain stressor or emotion, thoughts become more clear and insight to a certain behavior is gained. With the necessary awareness, behavior can be changed.
EFT incorporates aspects of CBT but leans on the body and minds capacity to adjust and heal itself. While one is tapping on a certain stressor or emotion, thoughts become more clear and insight to a certain behavior is gained. With the necessary awareness, behavior can be changed.
Daily Thymus Tap
The ancient Greeks already knew about the importance of the thymus gland. The word thymos meant life energy. Other words for life energy would be Life Force, Vital Force, Vital Energy.
Our thymus gland (located beneath the upper part of the breast bone in the middle of the chest) is, as already stated, important for life energy. The thymus gland is largest during our fetal life and first years, grows slowly until the onset of puberty when it begins to shrink and the cells of the thymus are being replaced by fatty tissue. Allopathic medicine states this to be "normal", yet it is also stress and illness that causes the thymus gland to shrink and reduce further in size. A reduced thymus gland may result in feeling tired, overwhelmed, sluggish, low energy, and we are less adept to deal with life's stressors in a healthy way. Our body is also less adept to fight off infections and diseases.
Here are some of the important functions of the thymus gland:
"I have love, faith, trust, gratitude, and courage."
Try this for at least 2 weeks and see if you can observe any changes in either your thoughts, how you feel physically, mentally, or emotionally, or maybe you notice a change in your behavior.
Alternatively, you may say your favorite affirmation while tapping your thymus.
Sample affirmations:
"I give my body what it needs and return to optimal health."
"I allow the innate intelligence of my body to heal my body and mind on all levels."
References:
Diamond, J. (1985). Life Energy. Using the meridians to unlock the hidden power of your emotions. Paragon House: St. Paul, MN.
Encyclopedia Britannica
How Stuff Works - How your immune system works
Our thymus gland (located beneath the upper part of the breast bone in the middle of the chest) is, as already stated, important for life energy. The thymus gland is largest during our fetal life and first years, grows slowly until the onset of puberty when it begins to shrink and the cells of the thymus are being replaced by fatty tissue. Allopathic medicine states this to be "normal", yet it is also stress and illness that causes the thymus gland to shrink and reduce further in size. A reduced thymus gland may result in feeling tired, overwhelmed, sluggish, low energy, and we are less adept to deal with life's stressors in a healthy way. Our body is also less adept to fight off infections and diseases.
Here are some of the important functions of the thymus gland:
- It is producing and releasing T-Cells (T = thymus derived). T-Cells fight diseases such as cancer or infections. So in short, the thymus gland is important for our immune function. A healthy immune system includes the spleen and a web of lymph nodes throughout our body. Both the spleen and the lymph nodes flush out toxins that we take to us from the food and environment.
- The thymus gland is also the "control center" to our meridian system. Our body has 14 meridians aka energy channels running through our body and the thymus regulates the flow of these channels. Stress can also cause imbalances in the flow of energy.
- The thymus is also the link between body & mind. Since the meridian system is linked to emotions, the thymus influences our emotions - feelings such as love, fear, hate, or jealousy. When we are stressed, we are more prone to negative thinking, which in turn has an affect on how we feel.
"I have love, faith, trust, gratitude, and courage."
Try this for at least 2 weeks and see if you can observe any changes in either your thoughts, how you feel physically, mentally, or emotionally, or maybe you notice a change in your behavior.
Alternatively, you may say your favorite affirmation while tapping your thymus.
Sample affirmations:
"I give my body what it needs and return to optimal health."
"I allow the innate intelligence of my body to heal my body and mind on all levels."
References:
Diamond, J. (1985). Life Energy. Using the meridians to unlock the hidden power of your emotions. Paragon House: St. Paul, MN.
Encyclopedia Britannica
How Stuff Works - How your immune system works
Photo from aeroman3
