The Energetic and Emotional Benefits of the Points used in Emotional Freedom Techniques.
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is 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 input kinetic energy onto specific meridians on the head and chest while speaking about specific problems – whether it is a traumatic event, an addiction, pain, etc. Emily Yuen, LCSW teaches clients to use the points to help process and release as well as reprogram thinking errors through the use of cognitive behavioral therapy and set personal goals with techniques from motivational interviewing. She uses a resiliency based, person centered approach to help people align with personal values and beliefs. EFT can be used as a self-treatment, in a group, or one on one with a trained mental health provider for more difficult topics.
EFT is based on acupressure points in Chinese Medicine. If you are interested in the potential benefits of each point and where they are located, here are some details:
Karate chop point (KC) – side of the hand between the base of the pinky and the wrist.- is used to setup the statement at the beginning, it is also used for psychological reversals (feeling stuck).
Indications for use: Feeling of being stuck, unable to let go, lack of flexibility, obsessive , worry, compulsive, resistance to change, vulnerability
Benefits: Adaptability, letting go, healing grief, being in the present moment
Associated Meridian: Small Intestine – Point number SI3
Eyebrow (EB) – on the inner edge of the eyebrow near the bridge of the nose
Indications for use: Trauma, pain, sadness, irritable, impatient, dread
Benefits: equanimity, calm and healing
Associated Meridian: Bladder – Point number BL2
Side of the Eye (SE) – at the end of the eyebrow on the boney protrusion near the temple.
Indications for use: cloudy thinking, anger, resentment
Benefits: clear thinking and compassion
Associated Meridian: Gallbladder – Point number GB1
Under Eye (UE) – on the check bone directly under the pupil
Indications for Use: anxiety, worry, fear, nervousness, disappointment
Benefits: peaceful, calm, feeling of safety
Associated Meridian: Stomach – Point number ST1
Under Nose (UN) – under the nose above the upper lip
Indications for Use: fear, shame, grief, self-doubt, embarrassment, psychological reversals
Benefits: self-confidence, self-worth, acceptance, compassion
Associated Meridian: Governing Vessel – Point number GV26
Chin (CH) – under the bottom lip above the chin on the center line of the body
Indications for Use: shame, embarrassment, difficulty sticking to decisions, confusion
Benefits: clear thinking, accepting one’s self, self esteem
Associated Meridian: Conception Vessel – Point Number CV24
Collar Bone (CB) – in the depression below the collar bone where it meets the sternum
Indications for Use: Muddled and stuck, indecisive, excessive worry, stress, psychological reversals
Benefits: confidence, clear thinking, aids in moving forward
Associated Meridian: Kidney – Point number KI27
Under Arm (UA) – six inches below the arm pit on the side of the body
Indications for use: low self-worth, obsessing, excessive worry, guilt, apathy
Benefits: Clear thinking, self-confidence, calm, compassion
Associated Meridian: Spleen – Point number – SP21
Top of Head (TH) – on the center line at the top of the head
Indications for use: unclear, ungrounded, restless, uncertain, worried, up in the head
Benefits: Grounding, calming, relaxing
Associated Meridian: Governing Vessel – Point number – GV20
Gamut Point (G) – on the top of the hand between the 4th and 5th finger bones
Indications for use: Use when your SUD’s level (subjective units of distress) have been lowered to a zero or one.
Benefits: locks the emotions/sensations that you have lowered in place so they don’t creep back up.
Associated Meridian: Triple Warmer – Point number – TW3