For thousands of years Eastern medicine and philosophy has recongised the connection between mind and body. When we think logically it is obvious that the mind affects the body and the body affects the mind. If we feel embarrassed we blush, if we believe in our minds that there is a threat our heart rate quickens and our adrenaline increases, preparing us for fight and flight, and if we remember an event where we felt shameful, the feeling of shame comes back to us physically. But despite this the concept of mind and body has become much more separated in Western medicine, which does not place much emphasis on the role of the mind and emotions in physical healing. In fact the majority of Western medicine is built on a mechanistic view which tries to fix the symptoms that the body is expressing without looking too deeply for the cause (of course, there are some exceptional doctors who do not operate in this way but they are in the minority).

The new paradigm in biomedical sciences understand the mind and body is one. It has now been shown that the receptors for the emotions are not just in the brain as originally thought. Instead they are on every cell of the body. This means that our emotions run throughout our whole system and are felt thoroughout our whole body. For more information on the science behind bodymind and the research of one of its key scientists, Candace Pert click here.

This shift in scientific consciousness gives us a clear understanding how energy therapies such as EFT work.

EFT was created by Gary Craig, who originally studied Thought Field Therapy (TFT) with Roger Challahan. Gary created a more simplified and accessible version of TFT and made it widely available to all that wanted to learn it.

EFT is a form of energy psychology, and is fastly becoming one of the most popular therapies of the new millenium. Its popularity has increased rapidly due to its success in helping thousands of people overcome disease, pain and emotional challenges, and for many people it's effects are extremely fast.

EFT works on the principles that body, mind and emotions are all linked and are affected by each other. Although this concept is not widely recognised by practitioners of Western medicine, it has been understood for thousands of years in Eastern practices and philosophies.

EFT also works on Einstein's understanding that everything, including our bodies, is composed of energy. Free flowing energy in the body is synonymous with health and happiness, but blocks created by trauma and life challenges create emotional disruption, sickness and disease. EFT works by shifting the bodies energy system to allow the free flow of energy.

When you suffer stress, trauma, grief, pain, loss, embarrassment, anger, or any situation which you find disruptive on an emotional level, it is stored in the body and makes an imprint on your physiology. If this is not released or dealt with then it remains stored in your emotion memory. Then every time you remember the issue or event, you go through the same physiological symptoms as if it was happening in the present. Talk therapies can be useful for identifying these issues, but talking about the problem does not usually shift it. In fact it often exasperates it as you re-live the event over and over again both emotionally and physiologically. These stored events that we carry around with us from our past and often re-live on a day to day basis puts a tremendous strain on the bodies energy system, but this can be completely resolved with EFT.

EFT involves tapping on various points on the bodies meridian system - the same system used as acupuncture. Whilst tapping on the points the participant also tunes in to the problem or issue that they are facing. The problem that is worked on can either be a physical or an emotional one. By tapping on the points whilst focusing on the problem the energy around that specific problem is released. So you will still remember the event or issue that has caused the disruption, but it will no longer create a physical disruption for you or change your biochemistry when you remember it.

Just to clarify before I make any assertions about the effectiveness of EFT for those overcoming CFS/ME, I would like to point out that it was the main (but not the only) healing tool that I used for my own recovery from a severely disabling case of the illness. And yes I am aware that everyone with CFS/ME has vastly different needs, so I would also like to also reassure readers that I have since trained to be an Advanced Practitioner of EFT and am using EFT with my CFS/ME clients on a regular basis. EFT has been of benefit to every single client that I have worked with so far, and for hugely different reasons.

For my own experience EFT helped me to resolve the physic pain I was feeling, and also resolve the emotional baggage which was contributing to a weakened immune system and a disrupted energy system. For my own remarkable healing story click here.

For my clients there have been numerous successes. All have found that when they have resolved their emotional issues with EFT there has been a definite improvement in their health and well being. Many have used EFT to help them get to the route cause of issues such as feeling driven, (a common challenge among those overcoming the condition). Others have used the technique to help them resolve the physical pain that accompanies the condition. And others still have adopted the technique as part of their symptom management.

It is worth noting that the EFT manual is free and those overcoming CFS/ME can download it and use it to immediately start managing their pain and symptoms. But it is best to work with a practitioner on any emotional issues. A practitioner will quickly help you get to the route of issues and resolve them, but it is quite challenging to work on such issues on your own.

This page is currently under construction. Please check back in the next few weeks as I will be adding resources and graphics. Thank you