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 EFT

is the acronym for Emotional Freedom Techniques.

Derived from acupuncture, it is considered a "psychological acupuncture", however, instead of using needles, the fingers are used to apply pressure to specific points.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridian system is used to relieve psychological tension and physiological pain. It is a therapeutic modality that combines verbal and physical procedures, using the principle of exposure (to the complaint), the manual method of stimulating acupuncture points using the fingertips and cognitive restructuring. A combination of focusing on the problem (exposure), whether mental, emotional or physical, together with stimulation of acupuncture points is often used. EFT balances the energy system by tapping on specific points on the face and body, thus re-establishing the balance of the energy system and neutralizing emotional conflicts, allowing the body to regain its natural healing abilities.

EFT is the result of observations by engineer Gary Craig based on the Thought Field Therapy technique created by Dr. Roger Callaham. In 1995, Gary Craig simplified the procedures by making a single algorithm instead of several used in TFT, which requires the presence of a therapist to find the correct algorithm.

A study identified correlates of changes in the expression of six genes after successful treatment with EFT, in which war veterans were no longer clinically diagnosed with post-traumatic stress. It acts on the central nervous system, causing physiological effects in the cardiac, endocrine and immune systems. Studies on binge eating show decreased activation of the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, which is associated with the reward area and other areas linked to food recognition. The subjects became less inclined to eat carbohydrates. In addition, Feinstein (2019) found that the practice of EFT generates powerful delta brain waves, de-potentiating glutamate receptors in synapses and deactivating the amygdala circuits responsible for stress. In several studies, EFT has proven effective in preventing stress, burnout, pain control, anxiety, phobias, depression, and compulsions. This technique has been used to improve and even regress the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress in cases of sexual abuse and collective traumas, such as in cases of wars, natural disasters, and pandemics. EFT is safe and easy to apply. EFT works through the energetic balancing of the meridians, which was discovered by the Chinese thousands of years ago and used in acupuncture to eliminate psychic and psychosomatic symptoms. According to the method's creator, Gary Craig, it was found that even without needles, the desired effect of relieving symptoms could be achieved. The technique involves a sequence of touches the patient applies to specific points where the meridians flow.

EFT is a practical technique. Other techniques use this principle (TAT, BSFF, TFT, NAEM). According to the technique, the balance of the energy flow in the meridians is re-established in a few sessions, and the patient feels immediate relief.

 

References

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  1. ^ Jump up to:a b c d Craig, G (n.d.). EFT Manual (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2011-05-03.
  2. ^ Rometsch-Ogioun El Sount, C.; Windthorst, P.; Denkinger, J.; Ziser, K.; Nikendei, C.; Kindermann, D.; Ringwald, J.; Renner, V.; Zipfel, S.; Junne, F. (July 14, 2018). "Chronic pain in refugees with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A systematic review on patients' characteristics and specific interventions". Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 118: 83–97. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.07.014. ISSN 0022-3999. PMID 30078503. S2CID 51921784.
  3. ^ Coyle, Seamus (2017-11-01). "P-173 A role for emotional freedom technique in palliative patients? three case reports". BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. 7 (Suppl 2): A71.2–A71. doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2017-hospice.198. ISSN 2045-435X. S2CID 57265859.
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  8. ^ Jump up to:a b Semple, David (2013). Oxford Handbook of Psychiatry. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. p. 393. ISBN 978-0-19-969388-7.
  9. ^ Jump up to:a b Boness, Cassandra L.; Pfund, Rory A.; Tolin, David F. (June 2024). "Acupressure in psychotherapy as an unsinkable rubber duck: A reply to Feinstein (2023)". Journal of Psychotherapy Integration. 34 (2): 190–199. doi:10.1037/int0000315. ISSN 1573-3696. PMC 11244757. PMID 39006869.
  10. ^ Church, Dawson; Stapleton, Peta; Yang, Amy; Gallo, Fred (2018). "Is Tapping on Acupuncture Points an Active Ingredient in Emotional Freedom Techniques? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Comparative Studies". The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 206 (10): 783–793. doi:10.1097/nmd.0000000000000878. ISSN 0022-3018. PMID 30273275. S2CID 52896050.
  11. ^ Jump up to:a b Feinstein, David (December 2012). "Acupoint stimulation in treating psychological disorders: Evidence of efficacy". Review of General Psychology. 16 (4): 364–380. doi:10.1037/a0028602. S2CID 13929941.
  12. ^ Waite, Wendy L; Holder, Mark D (2003). "Assessment of the Emotional Freedom Technique". Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice. 2 (1).
  13. ^ Singh, S; Ernst E (2008). "The Truth about Acupuncture". Trick or treatment: The undeniable facts about alternative medicine. W. W. Norton & Company. pp. 39–90. ISBN 978-0-393-06661-6. "Scientists are still unable to find a shred of evidence to support the existence of meridians or Ch'i" (p72), "The traditional principles of acupuncture are deeply flawed, as there is no evidence at all to demonstrate the existence of Ch'i or meridians" (p107)
  14. ^ Jump up to:a b McCaslin DL (June 2009). "A review of efficacy claims in energy psychology". Psychotherapy. 46 (2): 249–56. doi:10.1037/a0016025. PMID 22122622.
  15. ^ Clond, Morgan (May 2016). "Emotional Freedom Techniques for Anxiety: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis". The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 204 (5): 388–395. doi:10.1097/NMD.0000000000000483. ISSN 1539-736X. PMID 26894319. S2CID 205879994.
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  17. ^ Barrett, Stephen (9 November 2008). "Mental Help: Procedures to Avoid". Retrieved 24 January 2013.
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  19. ^ Pignotti, M; Thyer, B (Jun 2009). "Some comments on "Energy psychology: A review of the evidence": Premature conclusions based on incomplete evidence?". Psychotherapy. 46 (2): 257–61. doi:10.1037/a0016027. PMID 22122623.
  20. ^ van Wormer, Katherine; Thyer, Bruce A., eds. (2010). Evidence-Based Practice in the Field of Substance Abuse: A Book of Readings. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-4129-7577-3.
  21. ^ Feinstein, David (March 2023). "Integrating the manual stimulation of acupuncture points into psychotherapy: A systematic review with clinical recommendations". Journal of Psychotherapy Integration. 33 (1): 47–67. doi:10.1037/int0000283. ISSN 1573-3696. S2CID 248935681.