Emotional Freedom Techniques

What is a SUDS score?

In Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Tapping Sessions, the Subjective Unit of Distress Scale (SUDS) is employed as a metric to assess the intensity of a client's distress. This scale ranges from 0, indicating an absence of stress, to 10, representing the highest level of stress.

Throughout the EFT Tapping process, both the practitioner and the client aim to reduce the SUDS score to zero or a level approaching zero. It is important to note that the SUDS score is a subjective indicator and does not provide an objective measurement of stress. The critical aspect is not the score itself, but a relation to the level of distress the client is experiencing in relation to a specific issue, which serves as an indicator of either progress or the need for additional sessions.

It is also observed that the SUDS score may increase when EFT Tapping is applied to sensitive issues. This increase can be attributed to the emotional sensitivities that may arise when addressing deep-seated emotional wounds. Consequently, it is advisable to allow a minimum of two days for the client to settle before revisiting a sensitive issue, to prevent potential overwhelm.

Research indicates that, generally, once a distressing issue has been effectively addressed through EFT Tapping, the SUDS score associated with that issue tends to remain low, often close to zero. This underscores the efficacy of EFT Tapping in reducing emotional distress and maintaining a state of reduced stress post-intervention.

How quickly does EFT Tapping work?

EFT Tapping can lead to immediate stress relief symptoms in clients, such as yawning, crying, sighing, burping, or feeling tired. These signs suggest the body is transitioning from a state of stress to relaxation.

However, the journey to heal emotional wounds or phobias through EFT Tapping varies for each individual, as does the time needed for recovery. It's crucial to avoid rushing the release of stored emotions, as this can overwhelm the nervous system.

Clients beginning EFT Tapping may focus on perceived issues, but often, like an iceberg, there's more beneath the surface than initially realized.

While everyone desires quick relief from stress, the effectiveness of EFT Tapping varies; it may be swift for some and slower for others.

Common factors that can hinder the effectiveness of Individual EFT Tapping Sessions include:

• Overbooking Individual sessions: Daily Individual sessions might not yield faster results and could lead to panic attacks or emotional shutdowns. It's important to let the body assimilate what's been processed in each session, akin to slowly releasing pressure from a shaken soda can may prevent an emotional overwhelm.

• Addressing too many issues: In individual sessions with Eflowtion Support Services, clients set three initial goals to focus on. Constantly changing goals or adding new ones in each session can dilute the effectiveness, as each session may not fully address these evolving issues.

• Allocating a dedicated time and space for an EFT Tapping Session: EFT Tapping serves as a tool for diminishing stress. To effectively address a specific issue, it's important to have a quiet, uninterrupted space for your session. Setting aside sufficient time to concentrate on the EFT Tapping process is crucial for effectively reducing stress related to a particular problem. Attempting to squeeze an EFT session into a short lunch break or amidst busy meeting schedules may not yield an accurate SUDS score for the issue at hand. External pressures like looming work deadlines, hunger, or frequent disruptions can exacerbate already pre-existing stress.

• Misunderstanding EFT Tapping's nature: Unlike traditional talk therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EFT Tapping involves discussing issues to tap on but focuses more on tapping acupressure points while concentrating on distressing issues. If an EFT Tapping becomes rather a talking session it can reduce the time for tapping, thus diminishing its effectiveness. However, there is always room for a debrief before and after each session.

Is EFT Tapping safe?

Emotional Freedom Techniques is generally recognized as safe with minimal risk of side effects. While some individuals might experience emotional reactions during sessions, no negative effects have been reported.

Studies indicate that EFT tapping can help alleviate stress, reduce cravings, enhance performance, and alleviate symptoms of various conditions.

Clinical research supports its effectiveness, showing significant physiological changes through this method, confirming its safety and efficacy for diverse groups and conditions.

Though EFT Tapping is safe it is always advisable to inform your treating team before commencing EFT Tapping as a complimentary therapy. As EFT Tapping may increase or decrease stress during its application, any medications that you’ve been prescribed may or may not be affected.

Making your EFT Tapping experience comfortable

Whether you're participating in an individual or group EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) session, dedicating a specific time and space for it can enhance its effectiveness and your relaxation.

EFT Tapping may lead to emotional release, so it's wise to be prepared. Keep a glass of water and some tissues nearby in case you experience strong emotions.

If you feel tired after the session, give yourself time to rest and recover. Following the session, consider engaging in healthy activities like:

• Going for a relaxing walk

• Taking a nap

• Listening to music you enjoy

• Dancing

• Singing

• Spend time with pets.

• Partaking in a favourite hobby or physical activity.

• Enjoying a healthy meal.

Meridian Lines or Primo Vascular System?

Recent research has revitalized interest in the physiological mechanisms underlying Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or Tapping, particularly through the exploration of the primo-vascular system. This system, initially proposed in the 1960s by Korean scientist Kim Bong-Han and further investigated in recent studies, is suggested to provide a physical basis for the meridian system used in traditional acupuncture and EFT. The use of tracer dyes in contemporary research has demonstrated a close alignment between this newly identified vascular system and traditional acupuncture points. This alignment offers a potential explanation for how EFT might exert its therapeutic effects, suggesting that tapping on these points could facilitate the transmission of electrical signals within the body, thereby promoting health and well-being.

Visual evidence from surgeries that have utilized staining techniques to highlight these vascular systems has provided compelling physical proof of structures corresponding to acupuncture points. This evidence supports the hypothesis that EFT operates by interacting with a tangible, physiological system within the body. The identification of these structures not only bolsters the credibility of EFT as a therapeutic intervention but also bridges the gap between traditional healing practices and modern scientific understanding.

This detailed investigation into the scientific foundations of EFT, underscored by the discovery of the primo-vascular system, presents convincing evidence of the technique's effectiveness. By establishing a concrete physiological mechanism through which EFT and acupuncture exert their effects, this research enhances the acceptance and utilization of these practices in the treatment of psychological and physical ailments. The convergence of traditional knowledge and contemporary scientific findings enriches our understanding of the body's healing processes, offering promising avenues for holistic health treatment.