Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a psycho-emotional therapy and a form of psychological acupressure, based on the same energy meridians used in traditional acupuncture to treat physical and emotional ailments, but without the invasiveness of needles. Instead, simple tapping with the fingertips is used to stimulate specific meridians on the head, chest and arms, while mentally picturing a specific problem or situation – whether a traumatic event, an addiction, pain, etc. – and voicing positive affirmations. EFT is based on the theory of electromagnetic energy, which flows all through our body and plays a crucial role in taking control of our health.

Emotional Freedom Technique operates on the premise that no matter what part of your life needs improvement, there may be unresolved emotional issues standing in the way. The medical profession has long known that emotional issues can dramatically affect our body chemistry and that, in turn, can lead to everything from headaches and acute illness to addictions, impaired immune systems and even more chronic diseases such as cancer.

This combination of tapping the energy meridians and voicing positive affirmation works to clear emotional blocks that contribute to poor cellular functioning and disruption of energy pathways. It is a fast-evolving treatment within the field of Energy Psychology and it’s catching the attention of healers, scientists, spiritualists, and many others. It is based on various theories of alternative medicine including acupuncture, neuro-linguistic programming, energy medicine, and Thought Field Therapy (TFT). EFT combines the physical benefits of acupuncture with the cognitive benefits of conventional therapy for a much faster, more complete treatment of emotional issues, and the physical and performance issues that often result. It has received some notoriety through Gary Craig’s EFT Handbook, published in the late 1990s.

Even for physical issues and chronic pain or illness, it is common for emotional stress to impede the natural healing potential of the human body. EFT can be an ongoing process used to clear out old traumas and welcome any new challenges with a healthy, positive attitude. As guilt, anger, fear, trauma and the like become resolved, physical ailments often subside simultaneously.

EFT can help with a variety of emotional and physical issues such as weight-loss, anger and anxiety, phobias, and beyond.

Benefits of EFT

Clinical experience has shown that EFT may be used for a number of conditions and issues and that the benefits include:

Rebalances the body’s energy system by tapping on specific meridians
Clears out emotional ‘debris’ which ultimately eliminates ailments such as headaches, back pains, and other discomforts
Eliminates negative thought patterns and replaces them with positive ones
Helps to welcome new challenges with a positive attitude
Can be self-applied, and can be practiced anytime and anywhere (no equipment needed)

Here’s How it Works

The user inhales the air via a comfortable cannula for about 20-30 minutes. The effect may be compared to inhaling a potentiated concentration of fresh mountain or sea air. As a result, it becomes easier for cells to utilize oxygen in the body. Patients will normally experience positive effects pretty quickly because improved oxygen utilization promotes (mitochondrial) cell activity and communication, regulates metabolism and releases new vital energy.

EFT operates on the premise that although a patient may be exhibiting physical symptoms, often they are linked to a deeper dysfunction of unresolved emotional issues. A practitioner must address all dysfunctions of the patient, whether biochemical, physical, psycho-emotional, or spiritual, to restore health. EFT is a therapy that may be used to address issues on the psycho-emotional level.

Understanding the importance of energy as quantum physics has shown us over the past century, it should be noted that we too as humans are complex energetic beings. A negative thought or deep-seated emotion may disrupt the body’s energy systems. Through EFT, tapping with the tips of fingers on acupuncture points on the face clears these energetic disruptions. In this way, the energy traveling through these channels is balances and flows freely throughout the body, and physical symptoms may dissipate. This connection of body and mind is now better scientifically understood through fields of science such as psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology.

In other words, EFT is a process where we mentally “tune in” to specific emotional issues while stimulating certain meridian points on the body by tapping on them with our fingertips. It appears to balance disturbances in the meridian system. Once you implement EFT in your daily routine, your perspective on any upsetting past experiences begins to change into something challenging yet pleasurable. As you tap, the words come out easily and there is a progressive release of the negative feelings that you may have kept in your body for some time. This method works very simplistically, yet effectively. It can help clear past traumatic experiences and restore the energy balance between your body, mind, and spirit.

“The emotional contributor to disease and ailments and physical things is far greater than the evidence that’s been given to it to date. All of us know intuitively that if we’re carrying around angers and guilts and griefs and traumas, it turns up physically.”
GARY CRAIG, EFT FOUNDER

Science and Safety

EFT is the most widely practiced form of group therapies known as Energy Psychology. A trial conducted by Lucyna Health and Safety Solutions, LLC, shows that EFT is highly effective in reducing depressive symptoms in a variety of populations and settings.
source: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Nonrandomized Trials of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for the Treatment of Depression, 2016

The World Health Organization places major depressive disorder (MDD), or depression, as the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide. According to a study, EFT helps to reduce depressive symptoms and might be an effective treatment strategy worthy of further investigation.
source: The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotional Freedom Techniques in Reducing Depression and Anxiety Among Adults: A Pilot Study, 2016

In a recent study, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) was compared to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for food cravings in adults who were overweight. The study supports the suggestion that CBT and EFT could serve as vital adjunct tools in a multidisciplinary approach to managing obesity.
source: Food for Thought: A Randomised Controlled Trial of Emotional Freedom Techniques and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the Treatment of Food Cravings, Bond University, Australia 2016

2016 Clinical Study: results indicated that EFT is effective in decreasing stress and anxiety levels in student nurses during their education process.
source: The effect of emotional freedom technique on stress and anxiety in nursing students: A pilot study, Carolinas College of Health Sciences, 2016

NYCIM + Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

At the New York Center of Innovative Medicine, EFT is one of many different treatments considered for each patient. However, the use of this therapy is only performed or recommended on patients after an in-depth initial evaluation reveals it would be necessary for your personalized program of treatment. Because each person is unique, and their health needs are different, there is no set protocol for using EFT nor is the patient able to request the use of this therapy if the medical team finds it would not be as helpful as another treatment or specific combination of therapies. The ultimate goal is the complete restoration of health in the most efficient and safe manner, and with so many therapeutic options, it is impossible to know if EFT is right for you without an initial evaluation at our clinic.