A Breakthrough in Treating Trauma FREA was started by a group of therapists and healthcare professionals who use energy techniques in their practices. These energy therapies (also called ‘Energy Psychology’) refer to a family of techniques which change how we feel by stimulating the body’s energy system. Just as we have a physical body with nerves and blood vessels, so also we have energy pathways in our bodies, called acupuncture meridians. The basic principle underlying these methods is that emotional symptoms are caused by blockages in our energy system. These blockages impede the free-flow of energy, (called chi or qi), causing fatigue, emotional distress and ‘dis-ease.’ Tapping acupressure points, just like in acupuncture, stimulates these meridian channels and restores the free flow of energy through our bodies. “Qi is the fundamental life force that permeates all things. Qi connects and animates everything in the universe. When the flow of qi is impaired, there is fatigue and dis-ease. When the flow of qi is free and unimpaired, there is abundant energy and radiant health.” Master Hong Liu.
When we feel “stressed,” it is because our body’s innate Fight or Flight response has been engaged. Our hearts beat faster, lungs breathe deeper, blood pressure rises, blood flows from the internal organs to our arms and lungs, and we prepare to Fight or Flee. While this adaptive response saved our ancestors’ lives eons ago facing threats and predators, it is no longer adaptive when the “threats” we face now are deadlines, demanding bosses, traffic jams and buzzing I-phones. The energy therapies are somatic (body) techniques, rather than cognitive (thinking) techniques. They directly influence our body and our limbic (emotional) mid-brain. They reduce stress by “downregulating” the Fight or Flight response. When we’re no longer feeling “stressed” and all “revved up” by Fight or Flight, we feel calmer, more balanced and relaxed, and better able to make good decisions and communicate clearly. The new energy therapies include:
EFT – Emotional Freedom Techniques
TFT – Thought Field Therapy
TTT - Trauma Tapping Technique
TAT – Tapas Acupressure Technique
WHEE – Wholistic Hybrid of EMDR & EFT
The most popular of these techniques is EFT, developed by Gary Craig. EFT is a spin-off of TFT --- Thought Field Therapy, which was developed by a clinical psychologist, Dr. Roger Callahan.
Like many discoveries in science, Callahan made a fortuitous discovery. While working with a patient with a severe phobia of water, whom he called “Mary,” during one session she noted that she was also feeing nausea. At this time Callahan was studying a technique called Applied Kinesiology, or “muscle testing.” He asked Mary to tap an acupressure point below her eye, which is connected with the stomach meridian. He reasoned that as nausea occurs in the stomach, tapping a stomach meridian point might relieve the nausea, which it did. But he was very surprised when “Mary” told him that her fear was gone ---- along with the nausea ---- and proved it by walking outside to a swimming pool and sticking her toes in. TFT is a very powerful technique ---- and a breakthrough in trauma treatmentiii. However it has largely remained in the hands of professionals. EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), TTT (Trauma Tapping Technique) and WHEE are simplified forms of TFT. All four techniques involve tapping points on the body. Thousands of people around the world are tapping on themselves to relieve aches and pains, fears and phobias, anxiety and depression, cravings and addictions, and many ‘negative’ emotional conditions. Tapping is sometimes called “the people’s therapy” because it is a safe, simple self-healing technique that people can do for themselves and their loved ones.
This is part two of a three part series. Read this article in full on our web site, includes references and citations. #metoo, #saam, #metoorecovery, #metoohope, #metoohealing
If you have been raped, assaulted, or abused recently,