Why Does EFT Work? Based on the ancient principles of acupuncture, Emotional Freedom Technique comes from the theory that the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption or blockage in the body’s energy system. These blocks can involve disturbing memories, fears, phobias, anxiety, grief, depression, guilt, shame or worry. EFT is simply tapping lightly on specific acupuncture/acupressure points on the face, torso and hands to gently realign the body’s meridian-energy system. EFT users agree that tapping makes them feel significantly better in a short period of time. Medical technology is just now catching up with what the ancient Chinese knew more than 5,000 years ago. Our bodies and minds have complex energetic pathways. Electroencephalography (EEG), a brain scan measuring electrical activity, indicates that tapping decreases mental activity in the central and front portions of the brain. According to Ronald A. Ruden, MD, PhD in his book Why Tapping Works: Speculations from the Observable Brain, brain chemistry also may be part of the process because stimulation of acupressure points may enhance the production of neurotransmitters and endorphins, which are chemicals that contribute to a sense of wellbeing and stress relief. EFT combines two powerful forms of energy – intention energy and kinesthetic energy. Intention or “thought energy” is activated through verbal statements that focus on the problem. By focusing on the problem with a simple “reminder phrase” the body locates the blockage(s) in the energy pathways related to that specific problem. Beginners are encouraged not to worry too much about the words chosen for statements. A person should trust his/her intuition when developing reminder phrases. The second form of energy used in EFT is kinesthetic energy, the actual tapping of acupressure points, which brings additional energy into the meridian system. Eastern medicine has identified common emotions involved with each energy meridian pathway. For example, the stomach meridian (acupoint under the eye) is associated with emotions of worry and trust/mistrust. However, EFT has a generic, simple protocol in which one taps all of the points even though they may not all be needed for successful treatment. There is no harm in doing so; the body balances the energy naturally and releases what it does not need.