Learn EFT – EFT 101: Does Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) work for…?

This article is part of the EFT 101: What is EFT? series.

The most common question I get is, “Does Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) work on …[insert physical or emotional aliment]?” The answer is yes and no.

In my own practice I have seen EFT be successful in helping with joint aches, headaches, warts, nasal congestion, upset stomachs, and swollen kidneys.  Some of my clients have had success with anger, inability to forgive, sadness, and loss.  It has worked on writers block and focus issues.  I have clients who have seen progress with learning disabilities and autism.  There has also been success with killing cravings for sweets, carbs, and cigarettes.

Gary Craig’s web site has cases studies on success with Pain Management, Addictions, Weight loss, Allergies, Children’s Issues, Animals, Vision, Headaches, Panic/Anxiety, Asthma, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, Depression, Dyslexia, Carpal Tunnel, Anger, ADD-ADHD, Fears/phobias, Eating disorders, OCD, Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Neuropathy, Fear of Flying, Claustrophobia, Agoraphobia, Anorexia/Bulimia, and Sports and other Performance.

So, yes, more than likely EFT can be helpful for what ever you would like it to work on.

Gary’s mantra is, “Try it on everything?” Because there are no known side effects to EFT, the only thing you have to risk is the time you take to tap.

BUT (and this is a very important but) it is very important to keep two things in mind.

First, some issues are going to take much more work than others. As you spend time doing EFT, you are going to have “one minute miracles”, where after one round of tapping you will find total relief.  This isn’t going to happen every time. You wouldn’t expect a cut finger and a torn muscle to heal in the same way and at the same rate.  EFT is no different.

Keep your expectations realistic when doing EFT.

Second, some issues are much more complicated than others. Some issues are going to be very straight forward to deal with.  Other issues, especially issues that have taken years to grow, are going to be very complicated.  For a beginner, it might be overwhelming in knowing where to start.

That’s okay.  We all were beginners once.  Just because you didn’t have success this time does not mean EFT does not work on that issues.  It only means how EFT is being applied at this time is not successful.  It is very possible that you are just not approaching the issue the right way.

Like all things, this will come with time.  The more you try EFT, and the more time you spend reading others experiences with EFT, the better you are going to get and the higher your success rate is going to be.

Even to this day, after years of experience, I still set aside four or five hours a week to continue to hone my skills and to learn more.

If EFT is not working, see it as a blessing, as a chance to dig a little deeper, and a chance to get better at EFT.

About Gene Monterastelli
Gene is a Baltimore, MD based EFT practitioner, the editor of Tapping Q & A, and the host of the Tapping Q & A Podcast (archive | iTunes). Learn more about Gene here or find out how to work with Gene here. You can connect with Gene on his personal twitter, his tapping twitter or on facebook.