By physically using your fingers to tap specific energy points in your body, you can alleviate emotional distress, ease pain, and possibly even lose weight. Tapping is an easy, self-help technique that you can do almost anywhere when you are having a moment of anxiety or minor pain to feel better fast.
The science behind tapping is twofold. The first is that you are basically performing acupressure on yourself. The second is that you are using a self-help psychology technique to express your problems.
What acupressure does for you
Acupressure is an alternative medicine technique for healing by using the fingers to press on key points in the body, which stimulates the body to heal itself. Acupressure originated around 5,000 years ago in Asia and has been adopted by many Western clinicians who want to offer their patients non-traditional medical options.
The pressure and rhythm applied to the body in acupressure can vary from vigorous shiatsu massage to slow kneading of larger muscles. Tapping is usually used for the face and head since these are sensitive areas with many nerve endings. By tapping your body rhythmically, you are also activating a calming response in your body to reduce stress.
Energy meridians in the body
You activate energy centers under the skin by touching the skin’s surface. Energy gets blocked due to trauma that we have experienced. These can be from both physical and emotional traumas. Tapping activates the energy flow to eliminate the blockage and restore balance to your body.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, There are twelve energy meridians in the body. Tapping along these meridians releases energy that travels throughout your body. The energy flow is necessary for blood circulation and all essential bodily functions.
Self-talk to express feelings
An essential part of EFT therapy is expressing the feelings that are creating the blockage of energy. In addition to tapping, you are verbally stating what is bugging you. Getting it off your chest by saying it aloud can immediately release tension.
After saying what is causing you to be stressed, angry or depressed, you say something genuinely kind to yourself. You accept yourself in spite of the bad feelings that you are experiencing. Then, as you tap, you continue to express the inner conflicts that upset you.
Here are the steps for EFT:
1. State the problem and tap your hand
You begin by saying what you are experiencing that is causing the distress. For example, you might be worried about the pressure of planning an upcoming party. You might say, “Although I am stressed out about planning the holiday party, I love and accept myself.”
While you state aloud your problem and self-love statement, use the fingers of one hand to repeatedly tap the outer fleshy edge of your opposite hand below your pinky finger. You can tap as many fingers as you feel comfortable with either hand. Repeat your statement aloud three times while tapping.
2. Your eyebrow
Tap the spot on the inner edge of your eyebrow where the hair begins to grow. Either side of your head is fine to tap. Do what feels comfortable. As you do this, speak honestly about how you feel. Following our party planning example, you might say, “I’m stressed because there is so much to do for this party.” Spend about 10 seconds tapping each of the next several points on your body.
3. The outer eye
Tap the outer eye corner on the bone below your outer eyebrow hair. This can be on either side of your head. Again, say how you feel, for example, “I’m worried I’ll forget something important.”
4. The bone under your eye
Tap your fingers under your eye on the bone and again speak honestly about your feelings. For example, “I am exhausted.” Keep tapping for 10 seconds.
5. Under your nose
Tap under your nose and above your lip. Express more feelings, for example, “I’m afraid people will judge me.”
6. Your chin
Tap below your bottom lip in the crease of your chin for ten seconds while again saying aloud your feelings. For example, “Will it be good enough?”
7. Your collarbone
Tap your fingers against your collarbone for 10 seconds on either side of your body. Say something else you are feeling, such as “There’s not enough time.”
8. Under your arm
Tap your fingers and speak your feelings about two inches down from your armpit. For example, “I’m so stressed out.”
9. The crown of your head
Tap your fingers one last time and again say your feelings about what is causing you stress. For example, “I feel so stressed.”
10. Take a deep breath in and exhale it out.
Jessica Ortner, author of The Tapping Solution for Weight Loss and Body Confidence, demonstrates the basics of tapping your upper body in this video. Her book focuses on the emotional side of weight gain and how this simple tapping technique can release us from overeating due to stress.
Final Thoughts on Learning to Tap Your Way to Better Health
Although this technique may help your body release whatever is blocking your energy, it is a quick solution you can use today. You can also seek the help of a professional to help you with tapping as therapy. The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) uses tapping as a form of psychological therapy. EFT is growing in popularity, and you can seek out a certified practitioner in EFT in your area here.
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