Questions and Answers about the EFT Tapping Procedure
by Betty Moore-Hafter
* A note from Betty: "These Questions and Answers refer to the variation of EFT that I prefer using. Please see my How To Do EFT page for a full explanation."
- When there are points on both sides (eyebrow, side of eye, etc.), do you have to tap them both?
- How close is this version to Gary Craig's original?
- I don't understand the Top of Head and Inside Wrist. They don't seem to be specific points like the others.
- What is the 9-Gamut? Is it necessary to learn and use the 9-Gamut?
- What is the SUD's? Is it necessary to keep rating the problem?
- Do you have to do the whole tapping process each time?
- What if you don't seem to be getting results?
- What if you're in public and can't tap?
- Explain the extra hand points and how you end with affirmations.
1. When there are points on both sides (eyebrow, side of eye, etc.), do you have to tap them both?
No. When there are points on both sides, you can tap just one of them. You might tap on the right side with one round of tapping and tap on the left side with the next. It's also ok to tap some on the right and some on the left. You can experiment - there's no way to do it wrong. You can also use both hands for tapping and tap both points at the same time. That usually feels very good, but it's not necessary.? ^
2. How close is this version to Gary Craig's original?
The first part - Karate Chop or Sore Spot for the Set-Up, then the seven points from the Eyebrow to the Under Arm - is exactly like the original "short version" of EFT. It is in the rest of the procedure that there are several variations. Gary used to tap points on each finger but has dropped that now. Some of us have found that the same meridians are accessed when you return to the Karate Chop, tap the Inside Wrist, and tap the Top of Hand, so we like to add those spots. Gary Craig also uses the Top of Head frequently now but usually does not continue with the hand points. ^
3. I don't understand the Top of Head and Inside Wrist. They don't seem to be specific points like the others.
According to acupuncture tradition, the crown of the head is called the "Hundred Meeting Point". We have found that using all the fingers and tapping lightly in a small circle just around and on the crown is very soothing and really helps the process. It may also stimulate the right and left hemispheres of the brain. The Top of Head just indicates that whole area (the crown and an inch or two all around it). Just tap that area in whatever way is comfortable for you. ^
When you lightly tap across the Inside Wrist, you're stimulating the Lung, Heart and Heart Governor meridians that used to be accessed by the finger points. This is easier and more efficient. So Inside Wrist actually refers to three points which are across the wrist on the inside area. More specifically, the three points are in the crease area of the inside wrist - one towards the thumb-side, one towards the little finger-side and one right in the middle. ^
4. What is the 9-Gamut? Is it necessary to learn and use the 9-Gamut?
This was a part of the Original Recipe of EFT and is described in Gary Craig's manual. The Gamut Spot is the Top of Hand spot. As you tap it, you do 9 things (eye movements, tapping and counting) which balance the right and left brain. In 1997, Gary discovered that his results were just as good without the 9-Gamut and so it was dropped as an essential part of EFT. It's well worth knowing, and it actually feels very good. It has also been called the Brain Balancer. Here's a description and ideas about when to use it. ^
5. What is the SUD's? Is it necessary to keep rating the problem?
SUD's means "Subjective Units of Distress" and it is the 1-10 scale we traditionally use to rate the intensity of the problem. Most people find it easy to "give it a number", low (1-3), medium (4-7) or high (8-10). The value of using the SUD's is that it makes it easier to tell if anything has changed. Even if the change is not dramatic, the number may seem to have gone down. Then you keep tapping, bringing the number lower and lower. If the 1-10 scale seems cumbersome or if you don't like using it, just skip it. However, our results are best if we are persistant with the original issue and keep tapping until the problem is gone or almost gone. ^
6. Do you have to do the whole tapping process each time?
It is best to practice the Basic Recipe enough to know it well, then you can experiment with variations. Many people find that tapping the Karate Chop spot alone while saying or thinking set-up phrase ("even though…") gives them much relief. Some people find one spot (the Collarbone is a favorite) that works well for them, and they may do the set-up and that one point. Because the acupuncture points are like gateways for the energy to move and tapping simply helps the energy system come into balance, you can't do it wrong. Any tapping you do will be beneficial. What we know is that the full procedure usually gives the greatest benefits because all the major meridians are accessed either directly or indirectly and a more thorough clearing and balancing is made possible. ^
7. What if you don't seem to be getting results?
The most likely problem is that your issue is too broad, too big and too general. If you tap for something like "depression" or "low self-esteem", those issues are complex and many-faceted. EFT works best when you break any big issue up into much more specific parts. Specific events, memories, thoughts or feelings are good focal points for tapping. Instead of the depression, think of one thing you feel depressed about and tap for your feelings about that. Instead of the global self-esteem issue, think of one past event that hurt your self-esteem and tap for that. ^
8. What if you're in public and can't tap?
When in public, I've done lots of tapping for myself in ways that completely disguise what I'm doing. You can tap the Karate Chop point in a way that just looks like a little nervous habit, like drumming the fingers on that spot as you repeat the set-up phrase mentally. You can rub the Sore Spot with the other arm covering your hand and say the set-up phrase silently. Using both hands to rub the points around the eyes looks quite normal - as a matter of fact, many of us do this intuitively for stress relief. You can hold and rub the points while taking a deep breath in and out, which is almost as effective as tapping them. As long as you're repeating the words in your mind, you'll be doing EFT with no one the wiser! ^
9. Explain the extra hand points and how you end with affirmations.
This is just one variation of EFT, similar in some ways to Dr. Pat Carrington's "Choices" method (www.EFTupdate.com). It feels very good to end on a positive note, with an additional affirmation beyond the "I deeply and completely accept myself" statement. I like to add this affirmation at the end of the Set-Up (after the third time you say the "Even though…" statement). Then I bring it in again while tapping the three optional hand points. One of the best to add is simply, "And I'm willing for this to change." You don't have to add the hand points and the affirmation every time. They are completely optional. Especially in the beginning, it may feel best to tap for the problem several times and help it to diminish before bringing in an affirmation. ^
Here's an example of adding an affirmation:
The Set-Up (Karate Chop spot)
"Even though I have this sadness, I deeply and completely accept myself
Even though I have this sadness, I deeply and completely accept myself
Even though I have this sadness, I deeply and completely accept myself
… and I'm willing for this to change."
The Sequence
(Tapping the points from Beginning of Eyebrow through Top of Head) "This sadness… this sadness…" etc.
(At the hand points, change to the affirmation)
(Karate chop again) "Still, I'm willing for this to change"… (Inside Wrist) "I'm willing for this to change…" . (Top of hand) "I'm willing for this to change."
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