As a physical therapist, healing isn’t just about strengthening muscles or increasing flexibility—it’s about addressing the mind-body connection. Chronic pain, physical limitations, and even recovery from injury can be deeply intertwined with our emotional health. In recent years, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) has gained recognition as a powerful tool that can complement physical therapy treatments by addressing the emotional and psychological factors that influence physical well-being.

Let’s explore what EFT is, how it works, and why it can be a game-changer for your physical therapy patients.

What is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?

Often referred to as “tapping,” EFT is a form of psychological acupressure that combines elements of cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, and energy healing. The technique involves gently tapping on specific acupressure points on the body while focusing on a particular issue—whether it’s physical pain, emotional stress, or trauma. The idea is to release blockages in the body’s energy system, which can result from unresolved emotions or stress, helping to restore balance and promote healing.

EFT works by stimulating acupressure points located along the body’s meridian lines—these are the same points used in acupuncture. Through tapping on these points while concentrating on a specific issue, EFT aims to reduce the emotional charge related to that issue, ultimately improving both emotional and physical health.

The Mind-Body Connection in Physical Therapy

The mind and body are not separate entities; they work together to influence overall health. Chronic pain, for example, is not just a physical sensation—it’s often intertwined with emotional stress, anxiety, and past trauma, and is sometimes more related to a pain processing disorder rather than any physical ailment itself. When patients experience pain, it can trigger emotional responses like anxiety, frustration, fear, or sadness, which can, in turn, amplify the perception of pain. This creates a vicious cycle of stress, pain, and emotional distress that can hinder recovery.

EFT helps break this cycle by targeting the emotional triggers that may be contributing to physical pain and limitations. By addressing the emotional aspects of pain, EFT can make physical therapy more effective and enhance the body’s ability to heal.

How EFT Can Benefit Physical Therapy

Here’s how incorporating EFT into physical therapy can benefit both you as a clinician and your patients:

1. Reducing Pain Perception and Muscle Tension

Pain often has an emotional component, whether it’s from trauma, stress, or anxiety. EFT can help patients release emotional blockages that exacerbate their pain, making it easier to engage in physical therapy exercises without being distracted by emotional distress. Studies have shown that EFT can significantly reduce pain levels, allowing for more focused and effective rehabilitation.

When patients combine EFT with physical therapy, they may experience less muscle tension, more mobility, and a quicker recovery time. The tapping process helps to activate the body’s relaxation response, which can reduce stress and alleviate tight muscles, making it easier for patients to engage in exercises that were once difficult.

2. Addressing Trauma and Emotional Blocks

Physical injuries and pain are often accompanied by emotional trauma—whether from the initial injury, a prior experience, or the anxiety surrounding recovery. Emotional blockages can hinder physical progress, as the body may subconsciously “guard” against further pain or discomfort.

EFT can be particularly helpful for patients who have experienced trauma or have a history of chronic pain. By tapping on specific points, EFT helps release trapped emotions related to the injury, allowing the body to heal without the emotional weight holding it back. This emotional release can also help reduce anxiety or fear related to movement, enabling patients to trust their bodies again.

3. Improving Stress Management and Relaxation

Chronic stress is a major factor in muscle tightness, tension, and overall physical discomfort. When the body is under stress, it activates the fight-or-flight response, which leads to muscle stiffness and increased pain. By incorporating EFT into therapy sessions, physical therapists can help patients reduce stress and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and healing.

By using EFT, patients can manage their stress more effectively, which can lead to improvements in both their physical and emotional well-being. Patients who are less stressed are more likely to engage fully in therapy exercises and experience less discomfort during and after treatments.

4. Enhancing Mental and Emotional Well-being

Physical recovery isn’t just about healing the body—it’s also about restoring emotional and mental health. EFT is a powerful tool for helping patients process negative emotions like fear, frustration, or sadness that may be hindering their recovery. By releasing these emotions, patients can feel more empowered and positive about their healing journey.

The mental clarity and emotional relief gained from EFT can help patients stay motivated during their physical therapy sessions and remain committed to their rehabilitation goals. A positive emotional state is crucial for improving treatment outcomes and maintaining long-term physical health.

5. Supporting Mindful Movement

Incorporating EFT into physical therapy can also help patients become more mindful of their movements. Since EFT involves focusing on the present moment and tapping on specific points, it encourages patients to develop greater body awareness. This mindfulness can help patients identify and address areas of tension or discomfort during physical therapy exercises, leading to more effective and targeted rehabilitation.

Mindful movement also enhances the body’s connection to the emotional and psychological components of pain. By being more attuned to their body, patients can release built-up tension and experience greater freedom of movement.

How to Integrate EFT into Physical Therapy

Incorporating EFT into physical therapy doesn’t require extensive training—it’s a simple technique that can be easily learned and applied during treatment. Here’s how physical therapists can integrate EFT into their sessions:

1. Introduce Tapping During Assessments
   After performing an initial assessment, therapists can introduce EFT by having patients tap on specific points while discussing their pain or emotional triggers. This allows patients to release emotional tension before beginning physical therapy exercises.
2. Incorporate Tapping Techniques Before or After Exercises
   Encourage patients to tap on acupressure points before starting physical therapy exercises to help relax the body and reduce pain perception. Alternatively, EFT can be used after exercises to release any tension that may have built up during the session.
3. Focus on Trauma-Informed Care
   For patients who have experienced trauma, EFT can be a great tool for creating a safe space to address emotional wounds. It allows patients to acknowledge and process emotions related to their injury or pain, which can improve their ability to participate in physical therapy.
4. Empower Patients to Use EFT at Home
   Empower patients to continue using EFT techniques at home, especially for managing stress, anxiety, or pain between therapy sessions. This can enhance the overall healing process and give patients a sense of control over their recovery.

How to Perform EFT (Tapping)

1. Identify the Issue

• Start by identifying the specific issue you want to work on. This could be emotional stress, anxiety, pain, or trauma. Be as specific as possible about the problem, such as “I have tension in my lower back” or “I feel anxious about my upcoming presentation.”

2. Rate the Intensity

• Before you begin tapping, rate the intensity of the issue on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being no intensity and 10 being the most intense. This helps you track your progress throughout the process.

3. The Setup Statement

• The setup statement acknowledges the issue while providing self-acceptance. This helps to release resistance and accept yourself despite the problem.
• The setup statement follows the format: “Even though I have [the problem], I deeply and completely accept myself.”
• Example: “Even though I have this back pain, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
  • You will say this statement three times while gently tapping on the karate chop point (the fleshy part of the outer edge of your hand, on the pinky side). This is the starting point for the tapping process.

4. The Tapping Sequence

• After the setup statement, begin tapping on the following meridian points on your body. Use the tips of your fingers (usually the index and middle fingers) to tap gently on each point. Tap about 5-7 times per point, and keep your focus on the issue you identified.

Here’s the sequence:

1. Side of Hand – Karate chop the side of your hand
2. Top of the Head (Crown) – Tap on the top of your head using your fingertips.
3. Eyebrow Point – Tap on the area where your eyebrow begins, just above the bridge of your nose.
4. Side of the Eye – Tap on the bone just beside your eye, on the outer edge of the eye socket.
5. Under the Eye – Tap just below the eye, on the bone.
6. Under the Nose – Tap in the indentation between your nose and upper lip.
7. Chin Point – Tap on the indentation between your chin and lower lip.
8. Collarbone Point – Tap about 1-2 inches below the collarbone, where it feels tender.
9. Under the Arm – Tap about 4 inches below the armpit (on both sides of the body).

5. Repeat the Sequence

• As you tap on each point, repeat a phrase or word that reflects the issue. For example, you can say, “This back pain” or “I am anxious about this appointment” as you tap on each point.
• The goal is to acknowledge and release any negative emotions or tension associated with the issue.

6. Reassess the Intensity

• After completing one round of tapping, take a deep breath and assess how you feel. Re-rate the intensity of the issue on a scale of 0 to 10. If it has decreased, you’re making progress.
• If the intensity has not gone down, repeat the process or focus on a more specific aspect of the issue. You may also try saying a more specific phrase related to the issue.

7. Continue Tapping as Needed

• Continue tapping until you notice a significant reduction in the intensity of the issue. Some people may need several rounds of tapping for maximum relief, while others may experience a shift after just one round.

8. Positive Affirmations (Optional)

• After tapping for the problem, you can end by focusing on positive affirmations or statements of self-empowerment. For example:
  • “I am free from pain.”
  • “I am calm and confident.”
  • “I am at peace with myself.”

Tapping on these positive affirmations helps reinforce the positive shift in energy.

Final Thoughts

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a powerful tool that complements physical therapy by addressing the emotional and psychological factors that affect physical health. By incorporating EFT into treatment plans, physical therapists can help patients reduce pain, release emotional blockages, manage stress, and improve their overall well-being. This holistic approach can lead to better rehabilitation outcomes and faster recovery, ultimately helping patients achieve lasting physical and emotional healing.

If you’re interested in learning more about how EFT can benefit your physical therapy practice or would like guidance on integrating it into your treatment plans, feel free to reach out. Your healing journey is as much about emotional well-being as it is about physical progress—and together, we can unlock a new level of healing.

References

Church, D., & Brooks, A. J. (2010). The effect of a brief EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) self-intervention on anxiety, depression, pain, and cravings in healthcare workers. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, 9(5), 40–44. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6381429/

Feinstein, D. (2012). Acupoint stimulation in treating psychological disorders: Evidence of efficacy. Review of General Psychology, 16(4), 364–380. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1089268012453707

Clond, M. (2016). Emotional freedom techniques for anxiety: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 204(5), 388–395. https://journals.lww.com/jonmd/Abstract/2016/05000/Emotional_Freedom_Techniques_for_Anxiety__A.9.aspx

Church, D. (2013). Clinical EFT as an evidence-based practice for the treatment of psychological and physiological conditions. Psychology, 4(8), 645–654. https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=35751

Church, D. (2018). Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) improves multiple physiological markers of health. Explore, 14(1), 29–33. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830717301188