Majority of cancer patients fail to respond to treatment because they unconsciously possess emotional barriers to healing. One technique that can be used to improve one's emotional health is the Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT. This technique is based on the principles of acupressure, focusing on the psychological aspects of healing. It asserts that no matter the treatment modality that you follow, you will not be able to achieve optimal healing if certain negative emotions are blocking your recovery.
EFT makes use of the same energy meridians followed in traditional Chinese acupuncture. However, instead of using needles, fingertip tapping is used to draw energy into the meridians of the head and the chest. While doing the tapping, you voice out positive thoughts dealing with your problem. Both the EFT and positive affirmative thoughts serve to remove your emotional blocks, and brings back proper balance between the mind and the body.
Traditionally, tapping is done using the index finger and the middle finger of only one hand. However, using all of your fingers on both hands would enable you to cover a larger area, and more acupuncture points. You need to use your fingertips, rather than your finger pads. The fingertips have more meridian points. However, if you have long fingernails, you don't really have an option but to use your finger pads. You have to remove your wristwatch and bracelets so you can tap on your wrist meridian as well.
Tap firmly with your fingertips. Naturally, don't tap too hard that you bruise and hurt yourself. When using both hands, do not tap simultaneously. Have an alternating rhythm for the hands. Tap around 5-7 times at approximately the pace of one full breath.
There are nine tapping points that you should completely cover. Though it is not necessary to tap in a particular order, it is advisable to do the tapping from the top of the body going down if only to ensure that all the meridian points are covered.
The first tapping point is on the top of the head at the center of the skull. Use the fingers of both hands to make alternate taps on this spot.
The second tapping point is just above the nose, right where your eyebrows begin.
The third tapping point is near the outer corner of the eye, right on the bone at the edge of that area.
The fourth one is on the bone about one inch under the eye.
The fifth point is between your nose and upper lip.
The next point is between the lower lip and the chin.
The next one is at the junction of the sternum, collarbone and the first rib. To guide you to this point, place your index finger on the notch at the top of the breastbone. This is the place where you would usually have the knot of your necktie. From there, move an inch down, and then go 1 inch to the right or to the left.
The eighth tapping point is at the side of the body, about four inches below the armpit. In women, this area corresponds to the middle of the strap of the brassiere, and in men, it is usually in line with the nipple.
Finally, the last tapping point is the inside of the wrists.
For the affirmative voicing, use this template: "Even though I have this ______, I deeply and completely accept myself.
Fill up the blank with your particular disease or negative emotion. Whether or not you actually believe in what you are saying is immaterial. What's important is for you to voice it out the whole time that you are doing your tapping.
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