Many people don’t know that the T in EFT stands for “Techniques”, which is plural.
When Gary Craig, the creator of EFT, was studying Thought Field Therapy and teaching EFT, he understood that the process would grow and change with time. Each time a new person learned tapping, they had the opportunity to add a new twist.
I love the fact that tapping is constantly growing and changing. The way I use tapping today is radically different than just five years ago. I have added techniques from hypnosis, NLP, parts mediation, and many other protocols to my work. (Learn how I use these other techniques with tapping.)
One of the drawbacks to all of this innovation is that we end up leaving behind lots of useful tools and techniques. In the last few months I have found myself returning to many of these older, forgotten tools because they work.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Collarbone Eye Roll
I find that the Collarbone Eye Roll is most useful when the intensity of the issue you are working on is at a 2 or less on a scale of 0–10. It is also a great way to seal your work. If it feels like there is a shadow of an issue left after you have worked on it, the Collarbone Eye Roll is a great way to resolve that feeling.
To do the Collarbone Eye Roll focus on the issue you are tapping for, tap on the collarbone point and continue to tap there until you finish this routine.
While tapping keep your head still and your eyes open:
- rotate your eyes 3 times clockwise
- rotate your eyes 3 times counterclockwise
- move your eyes from floor to ceiling 3 times, like you are watching a helium filled balloon rise up
- dart your eyes left to right 3 times, as if you are watching the ball in a tennis match
Finger Points
When you look at most tapping point diagrams you see only the ones that are on the body. Even in my book on using EFT for Anger Management I excluded these points.
There were a few reasons I moved away from teaching the finger points:
- The main reason was that I was having enough success with just the tapping points on the head and body so didn’t feel that I needed them.
- It was easier to use fewer points when teaching beginners.
- When I was working on the phone with clients who didn’t have a headset, I found they were awkward points to reach because they were holding the phone with one hand.
Recently, when tapping for my own issues, I have found myself using the finger points more and more and they have been very effective at clearing issues quickly.
Rubbing The Sore Spot
In the early versions of tapping we were instructed either to tap on the side of the hand or to “rub the sore spot” when we repeated the set-up phrase.
The sore spot is located between the shoulder, collarbone, and pectoral muscle. It is called the sore spot because it can feel tender. This is the place in the body where the by-products of the lymphatic system are dumped.
In addition to adding this to the beginning of my tapping sessions, I find it relaxing to rub the sore spot even when I am not working on a particular issue.
Liver Spot
The liver spot is located directly below the nipples on the edge of the rib cage. I think one of the main reasons the liver spot is not often taught is because some people find it embarrassing to explain in mixed company.
Tapping on the liver spot is great for helping to relieve frustration, anger, and rage.
Doing More, Not Less
I can appreciate the move to simplify tapping, but I worry that sometimes in our attempts to make it simpler, we end up losing some of its power.
Please let me know what your experience is of bringing back some of these often forgotten tapping points.
Hi!
I agree with you when you say that EFT has lost a little bit while trying to do things faster. I don’t see the need to gain a few seconds by not tapping on some points.
I use all of them in my sessions. And when things get a little bit stuck I use the 9 gamma with the eye movements. They work really good.
EFT is already a fast healing technique. I think it is important to give the client and their issues the time they need to det over it.
Thanks for your emails. I like what you share.
Regards
Carola Ulriksen
Thank you Gene. I sometimes use the full recipe with the gamut point when the client is stuck at a 1 or 2. It is rare. However, I generally do use the liver and wrist points.
I love your work. I often pick up something new or something I’ve forgotten.
Thanks.
Frances Soda
Thanks Gene.
I was taught that there is no wrong or right order to tap. Moving around the tapping points, including the fingers and the backs of the hands, and finding points that make you ‘feel’ more is more important and that everyone is different and different points can work on different occasions.
I don’t like driving in heavy traffic especially if the weather is bad and I find either the collar bone point or the sore point invaluable then.
Tapping is good. Tapping anywhere is good. Just keep tapping!!
Eileen.
Totally agree with tapping on the collar bone or sore spot to deal with traffic. I also use the sore spot in place of the karate chop point when driving
Awesome tools. I do like to use all the points. Clients dig in deep when they do all of them. Thanks for your podcasts and emails. It has been greatly appreciated. Kind regards
I can’t address the difference between using additional points or not because I always use the liver point and the finger points. I face the palms of both hands downward, and tap the bottom of one wrist on the top of the other wrist. I do it this way because the triple warmer (ring finger) runs along the TOP of the hand, as does the large intestine meridian (index finger). The other 3 finger points run along the palm side of the hands. I use the gamut when the client seems to be a bit stuck, but I never used the collarbone eye roll, which I will now try and appreciate your telling us about it.
And Gene, thank you SO much for the fabulous resources you offer, and for free! Your podcasts are invaluable!