Tuesday, September 21, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Shown to be Effective in New Studies

By Meg Jordan, PhD, RN, CWP, Global Medicine Hunter

SAN FRANCISCO--)  Can a simple self-tapping procedure along a dozen or so points in the head and upper body, done while repeating to oneself a phrase designed to reverse a disturbing condition,  actually do any good?  

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), at first glance, seems too bizarre to produce the kinds of results its innovators and practitioners purport:  less anxiety, relief from chronic conditions, freedom from PTSD and more.  The claims of healing have mounted to the point where serious researchers decided to apply the scientific method to EFT, and explore whether this self-taught modality could serve the millions who suffer from psychological distress, anxiety and depression.

So far, researchers found that  EFT can be applied to a wide variety of challenges--from physical prowess to symptom reduction. EFT helped improve performance of basketball free-throws. It's an effective adjunctive treatment in a type of seizure disorder; and a clinical report revealed how even a single session of EFT could reduce stress-related symptoms after motor vehicle accidents.

These findings on EFT are presented in a new peer-reviewed journal, Energy Psychology: Theory, Research and Treatment. Committed to providing rigorous, high-quality research and clinical insights in the evolving field of energy psychology, the journal editor, Dawson Church, PhD, wrote that energy psychology has "demonstrated its efficacy for a wide range of psychological and physical problems, from phobias to pain to post-traumatic stress disorder."

Church's editorial estimated economic cost savings of energy psychology modalities could be significant when compared to conventional treatments of psychiatric drugs and counseling.  

As a member of its editorial review board, I am excited about the potential savings, but even more enthusiastic about the potential for applying rigorous scientific investigation to so many mind/body and energy psychology modalities that have been too often dismissed by conventional researchers for operating at the fringe.  Alleviating suffering while addressing the urgent crisis in health care costs and access are anything but fringe objectives.

For more information, EFT can be learned through dozens of free programs online.   

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Dr. Meg Jordan, PhD, RN, CWP, is Department Chair and Professor of Integrative Health Studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies. She is a medical anthropologist and registered nurse specializing in behavioral health and integrative healthcare.   mjordan@ciis.edu