Nick Ortner's Blog, page 13

Hope for PTSD: Research Shows Tapping Can Help (Often in 10 Sessions or Less!)

Unfortunately, trauma is quite common. And many people will experience at least one (if not more) traumatic event in their lives – whether that be related to a childhood experience, accident, combat, natural disaster, assault, abuse, injury, or something else.

Healing from these experiences takes time, and many people are left deeply wounded and affected by trauma for many years to come. In fact, it’s not uncommon to develop something called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, after having been through this kind of experience.

It is estimated that about 12 million adults in the U.S. have PTSD during any given year.[1]  Clearly, PTSD is a serious issue. For the many people living with this life-altering condition, effective treatment strategies are deeply needed!

Fortunately, the research is becoming more and more clear that Tapping works extremely well at helping people resolve their PTSD symptoms… so that they can heal and move forward in their lives with greater ease! 

Today, I want to highlight an important major review study that helped demonstrate just how effective Tapping can be for PTSD treatment. 

Please note: As always, if you are experiencing any physical or mental health concerns, consult with a doctor, therapist, or other qualified health practitioner. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

A meta-analysis study: a scientific gold standard

In 2017, researchers conducted what is called a meta-analysis study on Tapping for PTSD.[2]

A meta-analysis is a type of study where researchers take data from a bunch of different studies on the same subject, analyze all of the data together, and use statistical methods to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of a technique. This kind of study is considered a gold standard in research techniques. 

In this 2017 meta-analysis on the effectiveness of EFT Tapping in the treatment of PTSD, the researchers gathered data from seven different randomized controlled trials (want to read up on a few of these studies? Click here!). All of the studies included in the analysis were considered high-quality studies that met American Psychological Association (APA) standards. 

The researchers analyzed all of the combined data from these seven studies and used statistical techniques to draw conclusions about how well Tapping works for PTSD. 

What did the results of this meta-analysis show?

When analyzing all the data in the meta-analysis, the researchers came up with a statistical measure of effect size. In psychological research, an “effect size” helps us understand how well an intervention works compared to control.

With the particular statistic calculated in this study, anything over 0.8 is considered to be a large effect size. In this case, the effect size was found to be quite high… at 2.96![2] This means that treatment with EFT is considered to have a very large effect when it comes to PTSD.

In other words, the data showed that people who received EFT Tapping treatment improved much more than the people who were in the control groups (who didn’t do any Tapping). This suggests that Tapping is very effective, provides a significant benefit, and really works!

That’s such an encouraging result! When pooling all the available data from high-quality studies, the researchers were able to confirm that people with PTSD respond REALLY well to EFT Tapping as a treatment option.

What’s more, the researchers were also able to compare EFT against other standard treatments for PTSD like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). When looking at the data, the authors saw that all three treatments had similar effect sizes.[2] This suggests that all three of these treatments were comparable in terms of effectiveness.

It’s really exciting to see that in this rigorous analysis of the data, EFT Tapping proved to be just as effective as these other well-known and well-respected treatment options for PTSD.

The researchers also noted that Tapping was shown to be effective in a variety of age groups and demographics. 

Tapping practitioners see amazing results in their clients with PTSD

After the 2017 meta-analysis on Tapping for PTSD was published, another group of researchers wanted to hear from real-life EFT Tapping practitioners about their experiences in treating people with PTSD. So, they took a group of 448 practitioners and surveyed them.[3]

The survey findings from this study showed that most practitioners find that even complex PTSD can be remediated in less than 10 EFT sessions. And 89% of the practitioners said that less than 10% of their clients make little or no progress with Tapping treatment.[3]

It appears that most people with PTSD get better when they are treated with EFT Tapping. And in most cases, it only takes 10 sessions or less for people to find relief and improve. 

Can you believe that? It’s pretty remarkable how powerful this technique seems to be for PTSD!

The research is clear: Tapping is an effective PTSD treatment option 

Clearly, there’s a lot of evidence to back up the use of Tapping for PTSD treatment. 

In fact, experts in this research recommend that Tapping should be used a first-line treatment option for PTSD.[4]

Here’s what the authors of one study concluded about the benefits of EFT Tapping for PTSD:

        “Studies of EFT in the treatment of PTSD show that

         (a) time frames for successful treatment generally range from four to 10 sessions;

         (b) group therapy sessions are effective;

         (c) comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression improve simultaneously;

         (d) the risk of adverse events is low;

         (e) treatment produces physiological as well as psychological improvements;

         (f) patient gains persist over time;

         (g) the approach is cost-effective;

         (h) biomarkers such as stress hormones and genes are regulated; and

         (i) the method can be adapted to online and telemedicine applications.”[4]

If you are curious to learn more about what the researchers have learned about using Tapping for PTSD, check out this research paper: Guidelines for the Treatment of PTSD Using Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). 

And if you want to read about how Tapping can specifically help young people with PTSD, go here (spoiler alert, Tapping is considered one of the top treatment choices!).

Getting support

The research I’ve highlighted today suggests that Tapping belongs among the first-line treatment options for PTSD. 

It appears to work really well for healing from PTSD, and it has the potential to help SO MANY people find relief from such a difficult and life-altering condition. 

If you or someone you know is affected by PTSD, I encourage you to learn more about Tapping and to give it a try. You may want to work with a Tapping coach or therapist to guide you on your journey for personalized support.

 You can also head to The Tapping Solution App to start your Tapping journey. We’ll teach you how to Tap, and help you make the most out of our vast library of Tapping meditations. 

We’ve even got specific categories like the Military/Veteran Support Collection or Crisis Support: First Aid Kit Collection for you to explore – which are always FREE to use for anyone who needs them!

Until next time…

Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner

References “How Common Is PTSD in Adults?” U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.aspSebastian B, Nelms J. The Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Meta-Analysis. Explore (NY). 2017 Jan-Feb;13(1):16-25.Church D, Stern S, Boath E, Stewart A, Feinstein D, Clond M. Emotional Freedom Techniques to Treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans: Review of the Evidence, Survey of Practitioners, and Proposed Clinical Guidelines. Perm J. 2017;21:16-100.Church D, Stapleton P, Mollon P, et al. Guidelines for the Treatment of PTSD Using Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). Healthcare (Basel). 2018;6(4):146. Published 2018 Dec 12.

 

Related posts:Some Inspiration for YouTapping Research: EFT Found to Be Effective Intervention for Young Adults with Suicidal IdeationThe Links Between Pain, Stress, and Emotions – And How You Can Help Yourself Break Free

Support Your Healing: Understanding the Ties Between Emotions and Physical Ailments

Have you ever felt butterflies in your stomach? Has your heart ever pounded in fear? Has your gut ever been tied up in knots when you are worried? Have you ever lost your appetite in grief?  

These are all common experiences demonstrating what is known as the mind-body connection. 

Across the app, particularly in our Support Your Body category and Support Your Healing collection, you can find Tapping meditations that speak to the idea of the mind-body connection, encouraging you to address the emotional component of your physical health concerns.

Today, we’re going to dive into the mind-body connection a little bit deeper, so that you can better understand why the ties between your symptoms and your emotions are so important. 

You may be surprised at just how profound the impact can be when you begin to explore these connections!

Note: Please consult with a doctor on any symptoms you are experiencing. The information and meditations referenced here are designed to support your healing, and may help you on your healing journey when combined with proper medical care, nutrition, exercise, and healthy habits.

The mind-body connection

Science shows that the brain and body are intimately connected and constantly communicating. The state of our mind, meaning our thoughts, emotions, stress levels, etc., affects the state of our body – and vice versa. 

Dr. James Gordon, founder of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, explains the biology behind the mind-body connection like this: 

“The brain and peripheral nervous system, the endocrine and immune systems, and indeed, all the organs of our body and all the emotional responses we have, share a common chemical language and are constantly communicating with one another.”

The examples of butterflies in the stomach or a pounding chest are just some of the ways in which we can consciously observe the interplay between mind and body.

But underneath the surface, much more is going on. When we are in a state of stress or emotional arousal, our bodies respond with things like increased inflammation, elevated blood pressure, enhanced pain signaling, digestive disturbances, muscle tension, and more.

The work of researchers and mind-body experts in the field like Dr. John Diamond, Louise Hay, Deepak Chopra, Bruce Lipton, and many others teach us that our emotions, thoughts, and beliefs can have a profound impact on our physical bodies. There is even scientific evidence proving that emotions, thoughts, and beliefs can directly impact our biology by altering gene expression, changing hormone levels, and so much more.

Concepts from practices like traditional Chinese medicine even link specific emotions to certain organ systems and physical ailments. Anecdotes abound with real-life examples of these kinds of connections. Many doctors and nurses often observe “types” of patients that follow certain patterns – such as cardiac patients tending to have challenges with expressing anger, for example.

Why the mind-body connection matters – and how to use it to your advantage

“You have the power to heal your life, and you need to know that. We think so often that we are helpless, but we’re not. We always have the power of our minds… Claim and consciously use your power.”

– Louise L. Hay

So, why does all of this matter? Why do we care so much about the mind-body connection?

All of this science and research, all of these experts, and all of these anecdotal reports… they don’t just teach us that there is a strong link between emotions and physical health. They also suggest that we, within ourselves, have the capacity to promote healing in our own bodies. 

You see, we can use the principles of the mind-body connection to our advantage. The links between emotions and physical health conditions are so important to understand because they provide hope that positive change is possible. They remind us that we have the power to create more ease and wellbeing in our own bodies when we choose to deal with and process our emotions.

So often, we can feel disempowered when it comes to our physical health. We fall into the trap of thinking that there’s nothing we can do about it.

But our emotions are actually influencing our body. And so, we can empower ourselves in our own healing if we take a closer look at our emotions and do the work to process them in a healthy way.

That’s why we’ve created Tapping meditations in The Tapping Solution App to help you do just that. With Tapping, we can create more harmony between the mind and body.

Our Tapping meditations are designed to support your healing from various symptoms by focusing on the emotions, memories, and thought patterns that may be affecting your body. In these sessions, we’ve gathered insights from leaders like Louise Hay to bring you the tools you need to heal using the wisdom of the mind-body connection.

Real-life stories: The mind-body connection and Tapping in action

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve witnessed the power of the mind-body connection in action with the help of Tapping. People who have dealt with health challenges like back pain or gut issues or headaches for years will finally uncover a repressed or stuck emotion… and all of a sudden their physical symptoms will completely shift. 

After trying so many different things to heal – diets, supplements, therapies, medications, and so on – the emotional component is often the missing piece of the puzzle that finally offers BIG relief.

We get amazing feedback from our users after they Tap in the app. Here are a couple examples of the types of experiences real people have had with various Tapping meditations: 

“I just did the Support Your Healing: Inflammation tapping and I’m hooked! While it only went down 2 points in my score, I could feel an immense shift. SO much fear and anger trapped inside that I was unaware I was holding.” 

-Kathy

“I just did the Support Your Healing: Indigestion, Acid Reflux and more. All I can say is WOW! I have dealt with anxiety and digestive issues all my life. No medications work. And the doctors could never tell me what was causing my problems. With this Tapping meditation I started out as a 10 by the end I was down to 4. The emotions welled up for sure. I feel calmer and my stomach is more settled. I can now face my day with more joy and energy and calm.” 

-Darla

“Wowzers. I’ve had low back pain for 7 months with no known cause. As soon as I listened to the words of [Support Your Healing: Lower Back] and did this tapping session this morning, it all clicked into place on why the pain was there. The pain was reduced after tapping this morning and I just gave it a second round and can feel further reduction. I am so excited to release this pain and the fears that I’ve been unconsciously holding on to.” 

-Dawn

And remember: you don’t have to tap specifically on your symptoms or ailments to experience physical results. Sometimes, just tapping on an emotion can have surprising effects! Take this example from one user after trying the Releasing Anger session:

“This is the first time I used the Releasing Anger meditation. I had a headache for ten days, then I used the app and the headache went away. I keep using it. I had tried books, an online course, but nothing helped my anger until now.” 

– Ruth

Try these healing Tapping meditations for yourself

If you are ready to experience the profound power of the mind-body connection, then you’ve got to give it a try for yourself! To get started, I encourage you to open up The Tapping Solution App and explore some of our Tapping meditations. 

There are several different ways to find a meditation that might be right for you:

1. Browse the Support Your Healing collection

The meditations in the Support Your Healing collection are based on the work of my dear friend the late Louise Hay and other experts in the field. We are so honored to be able to feature Louise’s work, including her powerful healing affirmations from the book Heal Your Body, with the blessing of Hay House (the publishing company she created). 

In this collection, you’ll find a wide variety of different symptoms and health conditions, so you can choose one that resonates with you.

2. Explore the Support Your Body and Pain Relief categories

Beyond the sessions in the Support Your Healing collection, you’ll also notice this same theme of the mind-body connection being addressed in a bunch of different content across the app, such as in our Support Your Body and Pain Relief sessions. 

In these categories, you can scroll through to find specific topics that are right for you, such as Release Shoulder Pain, Support Your Body: Heart Health, or Healing Your Lungs.

3. Use the Search tool

A simple way to find content to support you is to use the “search” feature in the app. Simply go to the app, click on the “search” icon, and type in either your physical health concern or an emotion you’ve been struggling with lately. Then tap, and see what happens!

“When you’re happy, relaxed, and free of stress, the body can accomplish amazing, even miraculous, feats of self-repair.”

– Dr. Lissa Rankin

As you dig deeper into the content in the app, you’ll notice we address the mind-body connection often. We highlight this theme so often because it is so powerful. Countless people have found significant relief from physical health concerns when they address the emotional component of their experience!

So, try it out for yourself! See what happens when you explore and address emotions that may be linked to your symptoms. You might just be surprised by the results.

Until next time…

Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner

Related posts:Some Inspiration for YouTapping Research: EFT Found to Be Effective Intervention for Young Adults with Suicidal IdeationThe Links Between Pain, Stress, and Emotions – And How You Can Help Yourself Break Free

12 Reasons to Use The Tapping Solution App

Wherever you are on your Tapping journey, I thought it might be helpful if I shared some of the top reasons to use The Tapping Solution App – some of which you might be familiar with, and some of which might surprise you!

So let me ask you… what would you like to be able to accomplish in your own life? What’s one change that could transform your life for the better? 

Pick an item from the list below and discover Tapping meditations in the app that can help:

#1. Say Goodbye to Stress and Anxiety  #2. Get a Better Night’s Sleep #3. Boost Focus and Productivity #4. Get Relief from Pain, Symptoms, and Illness #5. Face Your Fears  #6. Upgrade Your Self-Care Practice #7. Supercharge Your Athletic Performance #8. Support Your Weight Loss Efforts #9. Find Financial Freedom and Abundance #10. Improve Your Relationships #11 Build Your Confidence and Self-Esteem #12. Feel Even Better than You Already Do

Note: Along the way, I’m going to share some curated lists of Tapping meditations you might want to try out, depending on where you are at, what you are dealing with, and what kind of support you are looking for. So be sure to check them out, and then search in the app for the titles that catch your eye!

12 Reasons to Use The Tapping Solution App

Maybe you are totally new to The Tapping Solution App, and you aren’t quite sure what to do when you open it up and start scrolling through all the options…

Or maybe you haven’t even downloaded the app yet, because you aren’t really clear on how it could help you…

Or maybe you already use The Tapping Solution App regularly, but you tend to gravitate to the same handful of sessions over and over again and are curious about other ways in which Tapping could benefit you.

Whatever the case, I want to make sure you know about some of the different reasons to use the app that can change your life for the better.

Because even for long-time users of the App, there’s always more to explore! The content in our app goes really deep. We’ve got over 500 different Tapping meditations, covering SO many different topics. This means there are countless ways to use the app and improve your life for the better!

Here are just a few examples (the options really are endless!):

#1. Say Goodbye to Stress and Anxiety

Are you overwhelmed by all the things going on in your life? Are you feeling stressed and worried about it all? Do you deal with anxiety on a regular basis?

You might be surprised just how quickly you can say goodbye to stress and anxiety. After over 1 million plays of our “Releasing Anxiety” Tapping meditation, the average reported reduction of anxiety was 41% in just 9 minutes. Wow!

One of the things that Tapping does best is to help calm down the brain and body so that we can get out of the stress response (fight or flight) and return to a state of calm and balance. And our app is chock full of content that will help you do just that – quickly and effectively!

You can click on these links to learn more about Tapping for stress relief and Tapping for anxiety relief.

Playlists of Tapping meditations to explore in the app:

For when you’re anxious:

From Fear and Worry to PeaceHelp Me Stop WorryingI’m Stressed About UncertaintyIt’s Going to Be OkayMicro Boost of Worry ReliefReleasing Anxiety Turn Your Day Around: Feel Safe and Grounded in Your BodyTurn Your Day Around: Release General AnxietyTurn Your Day Around: Tapping for Anxiety, Tap and Breathe5 Day Releasing Anxiety Challenge

For when you can’t stop overthinking and your mind is racing:

Change Your Thinking CategoryHelp Me Stop OverthinkingInstant Boost of PatienceMicro Boost of Overthinking ReliefMicro Boost of PresenceTurn Your Day Around: Release Overwhelm#2. Get a Better Night’s Sleep

Whether you’ve got insomnia or you just want to get deeper, more peaceful sleep at night, The Tapping Solution App will help you learn to sleep like a baby.

The sessions in our Sleep Support Category can be used before bed to help you relax your brain and body, release any worries or tension, and prepare for restful sleep.

Tapping can also be beneficial for sleep when used at any time of day. When you use Tapping throughout the day to address stressful situations and release emotions like anxiety, you can set yourself up for better sleep later on when it’s time for your head to hit the pillow. 

To learn about the fascinating science and research behind Tapping for sleep support, go here.

Playlist of Tapping meditations to explore in the app:

For when you can’t sleep:

Big Day Tomorrow Keeping You UpClearing Stress & Frustration About InsomniaDeep Sleep PatterningFall Asleep FasterNervous Tension & Stress ReleaseReleasing a Bad DreamQuiet My Racing MindSettle Your BodySleep Through the Night Sleep ProgrammingWind Down ATM#3. Boost Focus and Productivity to Crush Your Goals

Whether you have goals to advance in your career, or write a book, or exercise more, or clear clutter from your house, Tapping has the potential to supercharge your focus and productivity so that you can turn your dreams into reality. 

Tapping is really good at helping to break through the barriers that hold us back from going after what we want – whether those are negative emotions, limiting beliefs, low energy, a critical inner voice, or something else.

We’ve got meditations in the app that will help you release your resistance to taking action, get focused and energized, and feel empowered to reach your goals. 

Playlists of Tapping meditations to explore in the app:

For when you’re feeling sluggish and unmotivated:

Instant Boost of FocusIncrease Motivation and Productivity Sleep ProgrammingIncrease Self-Discipline Sleep ProgrammingMicro Boost of Focus Motivate Me to… Category (you can choose a specific topic that is relevant for you)Productivity Boost ATM

For when you’ve got a creative project on your agenda and want to feel inspired:

Instant Boost of EnergyMicro Boost of InspirationMicro Boost of CreativityMotivate Me to Finish Something I StartedMotivate Me to WritePre-Creative Time PrepReleasing the Fear of CriticismTurn Your Day Around: Quieting the Critical Voice#4. Get Relief from Pain, Symptoms, and Illness

Whether you’ve got a cold, a headache, back pain, or a long-term health challenge, Tapping is a wonderful healing tool to support your physical health.

Tapping is designed to help you address and release emotions and stressors, like the ones that may be connected to your physical symptoms (such as pain, gut issues, allergies and more). It helps the brain to relax and it helps turn down signals that lead to difficult symptoms.

By releasing stress with Tapping, we can help support our bodies in repairing, healing, and coming into balance.

Check out our entire Support Your Body category in the app to explore the mind-body connection and use Tapping to heal (and be sure to check out the sessions we have that feature the healing work of Louise Hay!).

Playlists of Tapping meditations to explore in the app:

For when you are in pain or recovering from an injury:

Get Stronger Sleep ProgrammingIncrease Your MobilityInjury Recovery BoostPain Relief Category (you can choose a specific topic that is relevant for you)Release General painReleasing Overwhelm and Frustration about Chronic Pain5-Day Pain Relief Series

For when you are under the weather and aren’t feeling well physically:

Gut Healing Sleep ProgrammingIncrease Healing Sleep ProgrammingInstant Boost of HealingMicro Boost of HealingRelease Colds & Flus Sleep ProgrammingSettle Your StomachSupport Your Healing collection (these are Louise Hay-based sessions that address the emotional and limiting beliefs tied to physical ailments)Support Your Body Category (you can choose the specific symptom or ailment you are dealing with)

 For when you are navigating a challenging health issue:

Chronic Illness Support ATMI’m Stressed About My HealthSettle Your Body  Support Your Body Category (you can choose a specific topic that is relevant for you)Turn Your Day Around: Feel Safe & Grounded in Your Body#5. Face Fears Your Fears 

If you are like most people, then fear can sometimes hold you back. Whether it’s a specific fear or phobia, or a general unease about the unknowns ahead, fear is a common roadblock on the road to success and happiness. 

One of the reasons I love Tapping is that it helps us release our fears and embody our most courageous selves. Tapping actually rewires the brain’s connections, sending calming signals to the brain letting it know we are safe.

I encourage you to explore the app as a way to release your fears so you can live a free, full life.

Playlist of Tapping meditations to explore in the app:

For when you are afraid and fear is getting in the way:

Fears and Phobias Collection (you can choose a specific topic that is relevant for you, like Fear of Flying or Fear of Driving)From Fear and Worry to PeaceInstant Boost of CourageInstant Boost of SafetyIncrease Self-Confidence Sleep ProgrammingLimiting Belief Buster: “Fear of Failure”Micro Boost of Inner StrengthMicro Boost of EmpowermentReleasing FearTapping Into Courage #6. Upgrade Your Self-Care Practice

You might be someone who’s dedicated to self-care, and who loves exploring new tools and practices that help you deal with challenges and feel your best. And that’s a great reason to use The Tapping Solution App!

Whether you tune in for a quick Micro Boost of Gratitude, or you tap on releasing a difficult emotion, or you do a relaxing and soothing session like an ATM or Sleep Journey, you can think of the app as a little toolbox of self-care that you can carry with you in your pocket anywhere you go. Opening up the app and taking a few minutes to Tap can be a real “treat yourself” moment.  

And if meditation is already a part of your self-care toolbox, Tapping is a great companion to add in! Tapping before meditating can quiet your mind and relax your body, allowing you to go even deeper with your practice. We have a whole category for this purpose called Tapping Into Meditation. So be sure to check it out! 

Playlists of Tapping meditations to explore in the app:

For when you’re feeling overworked and burned out and need some extra support:

Burnout Recovery I’m Stressed About WorkMicro Boost of EnergyMicro Boost of ResilienceTurn Your Day Around: Morning Stress RelieverTurn Your Day Around: Evening Stress Relief

 For when you want to just relax and chill out:

Instant Boost of PeaceInstant Boost of GratitudeMicro Boost of Muscle Tension ReliefMicro Boost of RelaxationSettle Your BodySleep Journey CollectionTurn Your Day Around: Afternoon ResetTurn Your Day Around: Let Go & AllowTurn Your Day Around: Feel Safe & Grounded in Your BodyTapping into Meditation CategoryWind Down ATM #7. Supercharge Your Athletic Performance

Peak performance is about mind, body, and spirit. It’s not just about physical strength and conditioning; it’s also about focus, resilience, motivation, drive, and so much more. 

From speeding up recovery, to increasing energy levels, to boosting motivation, to helping you get into the flow state, Tapping can help with many different aspects of fitness, athletics, and exercise performance.

We’ve even got some meditations in the app that were created in collaboration with three-time Major League Baseball All-Star Sean Casey, who uses Tapping himself to up his game!

Playlist of Tapping meditations to explore in the app:

For when you’re gearing up for a workout or a big game:

Flow CreatorGet Stronger Sleep ProgrammingInstant Boost of FocusMicro Boost of EnergyMotivate Me to ExercisePre-Workout PrepPre-Athletic Event PrepPre-Game Prep#8. Support Your Weight Loss Efforts

We believe Tapping is an extremely powerful tool for creating lasting change. And that includes aiding in weight loss efforts! It can help us release stress, process stuck emotions, create healthy habits, find motivation to stick with change, establish loving relationships with our bodies, and so much more.

And there’s a ton of research supporting the power of Tapping for weight loss!

If you’ve been struggling with weight, body confidence, or maintaining good health, you’ll find an abundance of resources in the app that can help you.

Playlists of Tapping meditations to explore in the app:

For when you are struggling with your weight and body confidence:

Critical Self Talk (Weight Loss/Body Confidence)I’m Stressed About My WeightLimiting Belief Buster: I Never Stick to AnythingLimiting Belief Buster: I Have Bad GenesLove and Accept Your Body (Weight Loss/Body Confidence)Micro Boost of Self-LoveMaster Weight Loss ManifestorReleasing Weight Loss AnxietyWeight Loss & Body Confidence ATM

 For when you are struggling with cravings and eating habits:

Cravings Buster CollectionGetting Back On TrackMake Healthy Eating Choices Sleep ProgramingMotivate Me To Eat BetterPre-Meal Prep#9. Find Financial Freedom and Abundance

Money and finances might not be what first comes to mind when you think of Tapping. But did you know that we’ve got an entire “Wealth & Abundance” category in the app? You’d be amazed at the results people get and the opportunities that enter their lives after Tapping!

If you want more abundance to flow into your life, then it might be time to use Tapping to clear away limiting beliefs and make way for whatever it is you want to experience more of.

Playlist of Tapping meditations to explore in the app:

For when you’re feeling stressed about your finances:

Clearing the Blocks to ManifestingI’m Stressed About MoneyI’m Stressed About My TaxesIncrease Abundance and Prosperity Sleep ProgrammingMicro Boost of Financial Stress ReliefSleep Journey for AbundanceStress & Anxiety About Finances#10. Improve Your Relationships

With Tapping, you can address the emotions and stress that arise in relationships, opening you up to more ease and deeper connection. 

Whether you are single, romantically involved, or working on relationships in your family or career, the sessions in the app can help you to release stress, feel more comfortable being yourself, and navigate conflict with greater ease.

We’ve got an entire category in the app specifically on Relationships. But you’ll likely find that Tapping to release stress in other areas of your life will impact your relationships in a positive way as well. 

Playlists of Tapping meditations to explore in the app:

For when you are dealing with conflict in your relationships:

A Stress-Free Family GatheringBecome More Lovingly Assertive Sleep ProgrammingClearing Negative Energy Picked Up From OthersI’m Stressed About My SpouseI’m Stressed About My FamilyIntimate Relationship Support CollectionMicro Boost of ForgivenessPre-Important Discussion PrepPreparing for a Difficult Conversation at WorkTurn Your Day Around: Love, Peace, & LightReleasing HurtReleasing JealousyReleasing Resentment

For when you’re feeling social anxiety:

Be Calm in Social Situations Sleep ProgrammingInstant Boost of Self-LovePre-Meeting New People PrepPre-Social Activity PrepMicro Boost of CourageReleasing the Fear of CriticismReleasing the Pain of RejectionReleasing That Critical VoiceYou are Enough #11. Build Your Confidence and Self-Esteem

Confidence and self-esteem are an area that many of us struggle with. And that impacts almost all areas of our lives, from our careers, to our relationships, to our body image, to our big life decisions.

Learning how to build ourselves up, treat ourselves with kindness, and believe in ourselves is a key skill to learn. And the great news is that Tapping is a really good way to cultivate confidence and develop a healthy sense of self-esteem and self-worth. 

From our 5-Day Confidence series, to our You Are Enough meditations, you’ll find this theme across the app in a variety of types of content… because it’s just that important!

Playlists of Tapping meditations to explore in the app:

For when you’re down on yourself and full of self-doubt:

I am Enough Sleep ProgrammingInstant Boost of CourageInstant Boost of Self-LoveInstant Boost of You Are EnoughMicro Boost of Self-LoveMicro Boost of Inner StrengthReleasing Self-DoubtReleasing That Critical VoiceTurn Your Day Around: Quieting the Critical VoiceYou Are Enough5-Day Confidence Series#12. Feel Even Better than You Already Do

This might be my personal favorite way to use the app. Tapping can help to elevate your mood so you can feel even better in your daily life than you can imagine! And who doesn’t want to live every day to the fullest? 

Here’s something important I want you to understand. Tapping can be just as helpful when we are feeling off and need to release some negative emotion as it is when we feel good and just want to feel even better! I love using Tapping to help turn around a bad day, but I also love using it to boost my positive emotions and anchor in what already feels good.

I encourage you to come spend time in the app to help you boost your mood and become a positivity powerhouse that radiates joy wherever you go.

Playlists of Tapping meditations to explore in the app:

For when you’re feeling good and just want a pick-me-up to feel even better:

Create a Great Day ATMCultivating HopeGrow Younger ATMInstant Boosts (Browse and pick any that speak to you! Try Instant Boost of Gratitude, Instant Boost of Hope, Instant Boost of Happiness, etc.)Micro Boosts (Browse and pick any that speak to you! Try Micro Boost of Energy, Micro Boost of Joy, Micro Boost of Optimism, etc.)Turn Your Day Around: Create a Great DayWake Up Happy Sleep Programming21 Day Gratitude Challenge 

What are your favorite reasons to use the app? Would you add anything to this list?

Share with us how you like to use the app in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear your ideas!

Until next time…

Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner

 

 

Related posts:How Does Tapping Work?Take the Next Step, Again and AgainWhen I Forget to Tap…(Going Public!)

Tapping in Prisons: Supporting the Work of Compassion Prison Project

Ever since I first learned about Tapping, I’ve been a man on a mission to share it with everyone I possibly could. I had experienced the transformative power of Tapping for myself, and I knew that it could change so many lives – and our world – if we only taught more people how to do it.

Through the years, I’ve had the pleasure and the honor to work alongside powerful changemakers and healers who are working to build a better world, bringing tools like Tapping to the communities who need them most. 

Today, I want to introduce you to one of those incredibly special changemakers: Fritzi Horstman. Fritzi is the founder of Compassion Prison Project, an organization dedicated to bringing compassion and healing to prisons and communities.

Compassion Prison Project’s mission is to help prisons incorporate trauma-informed practices into the day-to-day lives of prison residents and staff to create safer prisons, reduce violence, and encourage trustworthiness through peer-to-peer support and empowerment. 

I’ve worked alongside Fritzi to incorporate Tapping into their curriculum, and I’m so excited to share today a little bit about their mission, the projects we’ve collaborated on, and what you can do to support this important work! (Be sure to scroll down all the way to check out the photos – they gave me chills!)

The mission: addressing the impact of childhood trauma in prison communities 

The main focus of Compassion Prison Project is on childhood trauma and how it affects the lives of men and women living and working in prisons

Did you know that 98% of people living in prison experienced childhood trauma?

Extreme childhood adversity causes people to live in a state of fight or flight, compromising their capacity to learn new skills and develop empathy. Abused children often grow up believing that violence is a solution. Traumatic responses can lead to imprisonment, and prison can then trigger flashbacks from childhood leading to dangerous behavioral reactions like rage and acting out. It’s a vicious cycle that can be hard to break.

Through their ongoing efforts on the ground, Compassion Prison Project is working hard to bring childhood trauma awareness, education, and healing to prisons and communities both in the U.S. and globally.

The goal of this powerful work is to break the cycle by educating about childhood trauma and teaching ways to heal from it; for those who are incarcerated, their communities, and future generations.

This quote from their website sums up the mission well:

“It is our belief that when each of us heals our own trauma, we’re doing our part to heal the world. So let the healing begin, for everyone, everywhere, especially for the most traumatized people in our society, those living in prison.”

Tapping is one of many healing modalities being taught in prison communities

We were honored to be a part of one of Compassion Prison Project’s initiatives: a program called Trauma Talks.

This 16-part video series offers education and healing tools to prison residents. After watching each video in the Trauma Talk series, residents sit in groups of 10-12 to discuss what they’ve learned together. They use corresponding workbooks to explore their own trauma history and practice tools to help them heal – including yoga, mindfulness, gratitude, somatic experiencing, and, you guessed it, Tapping!

The Tapping Solution has offered video instruction, Tapping meditations, and workbook materials to help prison residents learn Tapping and apply it in their everyday lives.

As we know from the research, Tapping is a very powerful way to calm down the stress response and turn off the fight-or-flight system. This fight-or-flight system plays a major role in trauma and the harmful long-term effects of traumatic experiences, which makes Tapping an effective tool for processing and healing from trauma.

I’m so glad to know that Tapping is being used to bring real relief, especially to a group of people who has been so heavily impacted by trauma.

How you can support the cause

It fills me with gratitude to know that people like Fritzi are helping tools like Tapping get to a community who so needs the resources and support.

With organizations like the Compassion Prison Project, we really can create ripples of change that will bring healing to those who need it and create a brighter future for the generations to come!

This is such a powerful movement, and I encourage you to learn more by checking out the Compassion Prison Project website and exploring all the amazing things they are up to.

If you have the resources and are called to, please donate directly to the cause here. You can also learn about volunteering opportunities here.

Until next time…

Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner 

P.S. Want to see Tapping in action? Check out these photos from a Compassion Prison Project one-day workshop.

The Tapping session pictured below was led by Tara Packer.

 

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10 Mantras to Power You Up for a Great Day

Our thoughts have real power. 

The way we speak to ourselves, the beliefs we have, and the intentions we bring to each day can make a major impact on how we feel and how we respond to the events that unfold.

Here are 10 mantras that can help bring intention to your thinking and set you up for having a great rest of your day.

Feel free to say them out loud to yourself as you read along to really reinforce these positive messages.

  I have the power to create the life I want.   I choose to take care of myself and do what nurtures me.  I have time to slow down.  I honor my process and my pace.  I welcome growth, learning, and positive change.  I choose to put my energy towards the things that matter to me.  I trust and love myself.  I keep my heart open to new possibilities.  I am ready for whatever this day brings.  I have the power to make today a great day.

Take a few minutes to let those words sit with you. Notice how your body feels in this moment, and how good it feels to affirm these beliefs for yourself!

We might not be able to predict what will come next today or what is ahead for us. But we can choose to bring these kinds of positive intentions with us as we move forward. 

So go out there and get after it… You’ve got this! 

I trust that you are going to have a great rest of your day, because you are going to choose to make it that way.

Until next time…

Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner

P.S.  Want more like this? Try our short Active Transformational Meditation titled Create a Great Day. This session is under 6 minutes long and is an easy way to bring positive energy to your day so you can live your day to the fullest! 

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10 Gratitude Affirmations to Change Your Day for the Better

I talk and think about gratitude a lot. Because we know that gratitude is SO powerful! 

Gratitude has a positive ripple effect on almost every aspect of our lives. And research even shows us it can have a wide range of positive effects on our physical and mental health.

But often, we spend a lot more time complaining than we do thinking about what we have to be grateful for.

So right now, I wanted to offer us some gratitude affirmations to help us intentionally bring an attitude of gratitude into our day today.

10 Gratitude Affirmations for a Great Day

Take a moment to read the following gratitude affirmations, and feel free to repeat them to yourself in your mind or out loud.

I am grateful to be in the here and now.I will approach this new day with a grateful heart.I am grateful for the opportunities that today has offered me already…And I’m grateful for the chance to have new and unexpected experiences as I go along.I am open to gratefully receiving the lessons of this day.I will notice the big and small things that bring me joy…And I will notice the beautiful moments of connection this day offers.The more I practice gratitude, the more I notice to be grateful for.I will bring this attitude of gratitude into every action I take today.I am grateful for this amazing life I am living. 

How did those affirmations land with you? How did it feel to take a moment to ground yourself in gratitude?

Imagine how it might impact the rest of your day to intentionally tap into this energy of gratitude… And imagine how you might feel if you brought this energy of gratitude into all the parts of your day that have yet to unfold… 

I hope that each and every one of us will take this feeling with us and practice gratitude actively today!

Tapping into Gratitude

And if you’d like to take this even deeper, why not Tap on it? 

I encourage you to check out our 21-Day Gratitude Series in The Tapping Solution App. Over the course of 21 days, you’ll use Tapping to cultivate gratitude, relax your body, and uplift your spirit. You’ll be amazed by how much can change after just a few weeks of a daily gratitude practice!

Here’s a sneak peak into a few of the topics covered in the series:

Day 1: Gratitude for This MomentDay 2: Gratitude for the PastDay 3: Gratitude for the FutureDay 4: Gratitude for My GrowthDay 5: Gratitude for Home

Click here to find the series in the app and see what’s in store for all 21 days

Until next time…

Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner

Related posts:Tapping Research: EFT Found to Be Effective Intervention for Young Adults with Suicidal IdeationThe Links Between Pain, Stress, and Emotions – And How You Can Help Yourself Break FreePrescriptions for Health & Happiness

Tapping for Kids – This video of my nephew has over 3.2 MILLION views!

My nephew Lucas recently recorded a video of himself doing a short Tapping meditation, and we posted it on our social media.

That video now has more than 3.2 MILLION views.

This is a really proud uncle moment for me! Lucas is such a special kid, (as are his siblings!) and I think it is really incredible that he is modeling how to use Tapping to boost confidence, so that kids all around the world can learn to do the same.

The outpouring of support for Lucas in the comments on the video has been SO heartwarming. Parents are telling us how helpful it was for their kids to see another kid Tapping, and that the video has opened the door for their kids to feel more comfortable and confident giving Tapping a try.

You’ve got to check out the viral video for yourself, so go ahead and watch it below or on our instagram page here (and be sure to read some of the amazing comments while you’re at it ).

And if you have kids, I encourage you to share this video with them! The short process Lucas guides us through is less than one minute long and can be used before school, sports, presentations, and more. 

Until next time…

Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner

P.S.  If you want to see more content like this, then follow along with our Tapping for Kids Instagram page! We’re excited to keep adding to this page with more resources to help bring Tapping to kids around the world.

P.P.S.  Did you know that we have a whole category in The Tapping Solution App dedicated to topics just for Parents & Kids? These Tapping meditations will help your child build lifelong skills and begin to approach new situations with confidence and resilience! Check it out here.

After your child taps along, let us know if the Tapping helped them feel more confident by commenting below! Related posts:Study Drugs? How EFT Can Help You Focus Better Than Any PillTapping Case Study: Turning Bullies Into Enlightened LeadersTapping for Parents, Teachers, Children, and Teens

The Power of Tapping for Weight Loss: A Research Review

Did you know that among the many benefits of Tapping is weight loss?

We at The Tapping Solution believe Tapping is an extremely powerful tool for creating lasting change. And that includes aiding in weight loss efforts! It can help us release stress, process stuck emotions, create healthy habits, find motivation to stick with change, establish loving relationships with our bodies, and so much more.

And the great news is that Tapping for weight loss isn’t just some hearsay thing. There’s a ton of research to back this up!

I know I’ve shared bits and pieces and gone into a few of the scientific studies before, but today I wanted to gather all of the research on the subject into one place, so you can see just how much amazing evidence there is to support Tapping as a weight loss tool.

Here’s what the science has to say about Tapping for weight loss

There have been several scientific studies conducted on Tapping for weight loss, and more are being conducted year after year. So far, the results have been very encouraging.

When people go through EFT Tapping intervention programs for weight loss (often delivered over the course of several weeks), the data shows that they improve significantly. Specific factors that show improvements after Tapping include:

WeightFood cravings“Power over food”Restraint from food cravingsEmotional eatingUncontrolled eating [1-9]

After learning Tapping, people lose weight, they no longer have as intense of food cravings, they show more restraint around food, and they gain freedom from emotional eating. Studies have confirmed time and time again that Tapping can lead to some really amazing results and powerful changes in people’s lives!

It’s awesome to know that the science is backing up what so many people know to be true: Tapping is a powerful weight loss tool.

Here are some highlights from the research if you are curious about some of the specifics:

A 2016 study found that EFT was comparable to CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) at reducing food cravings. [1]In a 2018 study, 76 participants went through a six-week Clinical EFT course focused on improving emotional eating and treating emotional triggers associated with food. The results showed that during the course, participants lost an average of one pound per week. Between when the course ended and the one-year follow up, participants continued to lose weight – about two pounds per month! The data also showed improvements in restraint with food and “power over food.”[2] A 2019 study with 200 participants showed that after just a 4-day EFT Training workshop, craving levels went down by 74%. Wow! [3]A 2020 study found that EFT could help people after bariatric surgery to improve their eating habits. When treated with EFT, people noticed improvements in emotional eating and uncontrolled eating, for example. [4]In a 2022 study, a Tapping program for weight loss helped participants lose an average of about 13 pounds over six weeks. [5]

If you want to read the studies yourself, scroll down to the “References” section where you’ll find links to all of these studies and more!

Beyond weight loss – Tapping improves mental health, too

In addition to changing the numbers on the scale and reducing the intensity of food cravings, Tapping has also been proven to help people who are overweight to improve their mental health. 

Several studies have shown that Tapping interventions help people who are overweight to feel less depressed and less anxious. [5,6,7,10,11]

This is so important, because our mental and physical health are tightly connected. When your mental health is in a better spot, you’ll be more likely to take care of yourself, to feel your best, and to successfully engage in healthy, sustainable behavior change.

Tapping leads to long-term, sustainable results

One of the very important (and exciting!) things to note about the research on Tapping for weight loss is that the data shows Tapping leads to long-term, sustainable changes. It’s not about a quick win or losing a bunch of weight fast only to gain it back a little while later.

With Tapping, we see that the improvements are maintained over time.

In the studies referenced above, when researchers followed up with the participants six months later, or a year later, or even two years later after the initial Tapping intervention, they found that the participants’ weight was still down (or decreased even further than it was at first!). Their cravings were still lower, and they still felt better in terms of depression, anxiety, and mental health. [2,4,5-9]

Most weight loss approaches (all those diets and exercise programs out there promising fast results) only offer band-aid solutions that don’t work in the long term. Tapping is different. It is a technique that leads to change for good.

Tapping helps address the root of the issue (stress, emotional triggers, limiting beliefs, old patterns, and so on), so that you can make sustainable changes in your life and feel truly empowered when it comes to your eating and lifestyle choices. 

If you want lasting results, Tapping will help you get there. I’ve seen it happen time and time again for real people, and the research is here to confirm it.

Now, you might be wondering, “Why is Tapping so helpful for weight loss? Why on earth would Tapping on stress and emotions help me lose weight?”

Let’s take a moment to understand how tapping can help, and what this all has to do with stress.

Stress and weight gain go hand in hand

There’s a lot of data out there linking high levels of stress to weight gain.

Stress can make it easier to fall into unhealthy behaviors, and on top of that it also can create physiological changes in the body that contribute to weight gain.

For example, when we are stressed, levels of the stress hormone cortisol rise. Studies have shown that high levels of cortisol actually impair weight loss efforts. Cortisol can increase our appetite and boost sugar cravings, and it is even linked to abdominal obesity! [12-15]

And on the flip side of all that, stress-reduction techniques have been proven to help people lose weight. [16-17]

There’s a whole lot of detailed science we could get into here. But let’s just stick to the basics for now. The more stressed you are, the more likely you are to engage in unhealthy behaviors and the more your body takes a toll. A person with a stressed-out body and a stressed-out mind is more likely to hold onto excess weight.

So, the more you can release stress, the healthier your mind and body will become. And the healthier your mind and body become, the more likely you’ll be able to maintain a healthy weight.

Luckily, there’s this great tool I know about that helps you release stress (and even lower cortisol!) so you can feel your best… that’s right, it’s Tapping!

Tapping produces real changes in the brain that support weight loss

Research on Tapping shows that Tapping actually helps the brain to turn down the biological stress response. In fact, it has been shown to reduce cortisol levels by 43%. [18]

As we learned above, we need to learn to relax our minds and bodies if we want to be successful with weight loss efforts. And Tapping is a super effective tool for actively turning down the body’s stress response. 

Now, if what I’ve shared already isn’t enough to get excited about, there’s more! Tapping is also linked to changes in brain activity that can support weight loss. 

A really cool study from 2019 used brain imaging to learn more about what happens when people use EFT Tapping.[19]

Dr. Peta Stapleton and colleagues scanned people’s brains before and after a four-week EFT intervention. Before the Tapping, parts of the brain that trigger cravings were “lit up” and active when people looked at photos of food. But after Tapping, those same areas of the brain were no longer lit up. When people looked at pictures of food after they Tapped, the brain areas associated with cravings were no longer as active. [19]

This suggested that the brain actually “rewired,” thanks to Tapping, helping people feel less pull towards cravings. So cool, don’t you think? I knew that Tapping could help with cravings… but even I was surprised to see it show up on brain scans so clearly like that!

You can learn more about this intriguing study here.

Tapping resources to support your weight loss journey

I think it’s pretty clear at this point that there is some powerful research going on around Tapping for weight loss. 

We’ve seen that Tapping can lead to real results for people trying to lose weight (dropped pounds, reduced cravings, improved mental state, and so much more), and on top of that we’ve also seen that there are some powerful changes that go on in the background (changes in cortisol levels, altered brain activity, and more) that support weight loss goals.

If you’ve been struggling with weight, body confidence, or maintaining good health, it’s time to give Tapping a try.

I encourage you to check out my sister Jessica’s book, The Tapping Solution for Weight Loss & Body Confidence. This book is seriously life-changing, and it walks you through the entire process so that you feel supported and empowered every step of the way.

Make sure to also check out the resources we’ve put together in The Tapping Solution App.

We’ve got a whole category for Weight Loss & Body Confidence, designed to support you in feeling empowered and inspired to make healthy choices from a place of self-love. From addressing deep-seated beliefs, to cravings, to motivation, these sessions are here to support your vision of cultivating a healthy body while boosting your confidence along the way. 

Here are some of the meditations you can find in the app to support you:

Master Weight Loss ManifestorReleasing Weight Loss AnxietyCravings BustersCritical Self TalkLove and Accept Your BodyMotivate Me to Eat BetterI’m Stressed About My WeightLimiting Belief Buster: I Never Stick with Anything 

And here’s a little something different to add to your self-care toolbox. Try our Weight Loss and Body Confidence Active Transformational Meditation (ATM) in the app. With ATMs, there’s no Tapping, just listening along and letting your conscious and unconscious mind benefit from positive ideas and uplifting stories. It’s perfect for when you want something to listen to when you are in your car, or doing the dishes, or otherwise going about your day-do-day routines.

I truly believe that Tapping could transform the way you live your life, the relationship you have with your body, and your health. Feel free to reach out for support along the way, and let us know the benefits you notice once you start Tapping!

Until next time…

Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner 

ReferencesStapleton P, Bannatyne AJ, Urzi KC, Porter B, Sheldon T. Food for Thought: A Randomised Controlled Trial of Emotional Freedom Techniques and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the Treatment of Food Cravings. Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2016;8(2):232-257. doi:10.1111/aphw.12070Church D, Stapleton P, Sheppard L, Carter B. Naturally Thin You: Weight Loss and Psychological Symptoms After a Six-Week Online Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Course. Explore (NY). 2018;14(2):131-136. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2017.10.009Bach D, Groesbeck G, Stapleton P, Sims R, Blickheuser K, Church D. Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Improves Multiple Physiological Markers of Health. J Evid Based Integr Med. 2019;24:2515690X18823691. doi:10.1177/2515690X18823691Stapleton P, Clark A, Sabot D, Carter B, Leech K. Portion perfection and Emotional Freedom Techniques to assist bariatric patients post surgery: A randomised control trial. Heliyon. 2020;6(6):e04058. Published 2020 Jun 23. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04058Church D, Stapleton P, Raynor D. Skinny Genes’ Six-week, Online, Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques Program: Durable Weight Loss and Improved Psychological Symptoms. Adv Mind Body Med. 2022;36(1):13-21.Stapleton P & Stewart M. Comparison of the effectiveness of two modalities of group delivery of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) intervention for food cravings: Online versus in-person. Open Journal of Social Sciences. 2020;8(2):158-181. doi:10.4236/jss.2020.82014Stapleton P, Roos T, Mackintosh G, Sparenburg E, Sabot D, Carter B. Online delivery of Emotional Freedom Techniques in the treatment of food cravings and weight management: A randomised controlled trial. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine. 2019;4(4). doi:10.21926/obm.icm.1904065Stapleton P, Lilley-Hale E, Mackintosh G, Sparenburg E. Online Delivery of Emotional Freedom Techniques for Food Cravings and Weight Management: 2-Year Follow-Up. J Altern Complement Med. 2020;26(2):98-106. doi:10.1089/acm.2019.0309Stapleton P, Sheldon T, Porter B. Clinical benefits of Emotional Freedom Techniques on food cravings at 12-months follow-up: A randomized controlled trial. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment. 2012;4(1):13-24.Stapleton P, Bannatyne A, Chatwin H, Urzi KC, Porter B, Sheldon T. Secondary psychological outcomes in a controlled trial of Emotional Freedom Techniques and cognitive behaviour therapy in the treatment of food cravings. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017;28:136-145. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.06.004Stapleton P, Church D, Sheldon T, Porter B, Carlopio C. Depression symptoms improve after successful weight loss with emotional freedom techniques. ISRN Psychiatry. 2013;2013:573532. Published 2013 Jul 28. doi:10.1155/2013/573532Jackson SE, Kirschbaum C, Steptoe A. Hair cortisol and adiposity in a population-based sample of 2,527 men and women aged 54 to 87 years. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2017;25(3):539-544. doi:10.1002/oby.21733 Steptoe A, Kunz-Ebrecht SR, Brydon L, Wardle J. Central adiposity and cortisol responses to waking in middle-aged men and women. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004;28(9):1168-1173. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802715Epel E, Lapidus R, McEwen B, Brownell K. Stress may add bite to appetite in women: a laboratory study of stress-induced cortisol and eating behavior. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2001;26(1):37-49. doi:10.1016/s0306-4530(00)00035-4Yau YH, Potenza MN. Stress and eating behaviors. Minerva Endocrinol. 2013;38(3):255-267.Carrière K, Khoury B, Günak MM, Knäuper B. Mindfulness-based interventions for weight loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2018;19(2):164-177. doi:10.1111/obr.12623Paltoglou G, Chrousos GP, Bacopoulou F. Stress Management as an Effective Complementary Therapeutic Strategy for Weight Loss in Children and Adolescents with Obesity: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Children (Basel). 2021;8(8):670. Published 2021 Jul 31. doi:10.3390/children8080670Stapleton P, Crighton G, Sabot D, O’Neill HM. Reexamining the effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial. Psychol Trauma. 2020;12(8):869-877. doi:10.1037/tra0000563 Stapleton P, Buchanan C, Mitchell I, McGrath Y, Gorton P, Carter B. An initial investigation of neural changes in overweight adults with food cravings after emotional freedom techniques. OBM Integrative and Complementary. 2019;4(14):10-21926.

 

Related posts:Tapping Research: EFT Found to Be Effective Intervention for Young Adults with Suicidal IdeationThe Links Between Pain, Stress, and Emotions – And How You Can Help Yourself Break FreePrescriptions for Health & Happiness

Tapping Research: Tapping Eases Chronic Pain

Researchers know that more than 80% of people with chronic pain report experiencing stigma from health professionals, and only 4% report getting any relief from conventional psychological treatments.[1]

Clearly, there are some issues with the current models of care around chronic pain. There’s room for improvement in helping people feel more cared for and supported – and actually helping them find relief!

That’s where Tapping comes in.

Tapping has been proven in the research to help people reduce their pain AND feel less affected by it in their daily lives.

What does Tapping have to do with pain?

Tapping is an amazing tool to help us better cope with pain – and heal from it. That’s because so often, chronic pain is tied to our emotional wellness in some way or another.

When we address our stress and emotions with the help of Tapping, it helps us feel calmer and more empowered as we navigate life with pain. And on top of that, it actually helps the body to move into a state of healing where we can ultimately break free from the pain.

You can read all about the links between pain, stress, and emotions here.

Tapping is one of my all-time favorite pain-relief tools. In fact, I believe so much in the power of Tapping for pain relief that I even wrote a whole book about it!

But it’s not just my own personal belief that Tapping can work wonders for people with chronic pain; there’s research out there proving that Tapping actually eases chronic pain and lessens the impact chronic pain makes on people’s lives! 

Let’s take a closer look one of the studies done on this subject, published in the journal Energy Psychology in 2016.[1]

Study investigates the effects of Tapping on chronic pain

In 2016, a group of researchers led by Dr. Peta Stapleton conducted a study to see how Tapping could benefit a group of people suffering from chronic pain.[1]

They began by giving the group of participants a survey. The questionnaire asked the people about their pain, the challenges they live with, their experiences with healthcare providers, and so on.

Next, all of the participants completed an hour-long group session of EFT Tapping.

Before the Tapping session, immediately after the session, and again six months later, the researchers gathered data on things like pain severity, impact of pain, stress levels, and more.

Finally, the researchers compared the data from before to after Tapping to see if participants experienced any significant changes after the Tapping session.

And guess what? The study findings confirmed that Tapping can offer a huge benefit to chronic pain sufferers.

Results reveal amazing improvements for chronic pain sufferers

The first thing to note is that the survey findings showed a significant link between psychological distress and pain. The more distressed a person was, the worse their pain was. This isn’t surprising, given what we know about how stress can cause pain, and vice versa.[2,3]

The findings also confirmed that Tapping was a very effective intervention that actually helped people feel better; it significantly decreased participants’ pain, improved their stress levels, and boosted their mental health!

Here are some of the highlights from the results when comparing data from before to after the Tapping session:

Pain severity went down by 12%The impact of pain went down by 18%Depression decreased by 30%Anxiety decreased by 42%Stress went down by 38%

Pretty amazing, don’t you think? To me, those are some really impressive numbers.

After just one Tapping session, not only did pain levels improve, but people were also less affected by their pain.

And on top of that, they saw a significant boost in mental health, with lower levels of things like depression, anxiety, and stress. 

This study is an exciting addition to the scientific literature out there, helping to illustrate how powerful Tapping can be for pain relief and how much it can help people improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Additional research on the benefits of Tapping for pain

This study is just one of many that explores the impact of Tapping on chronic health challenges like pain.

In other studies, Tapping has been documented to help with pain from specific conditions like fibromyalgia and tension headaches.[4-6] It’s also been shown to reduce pain in populations like burned out healthcare workers and veterans with PTSD.[7-8]

You can check out more of the science on Tapping here, and access our Science, Research, and Data kit here.

Tapping resources to support you if you are living with chronic pain

If you are living with chronic pain, you deserve support. You deserve tools that can actually help you feel better and see noticeable results – like Tapping!

We’ve got so many different resources to help those living with chronic pain find relief and break free from pain with the help of Tapping. And it’s simple and easy to get started!

Here are some places you can start:

If you are new to Tapping, check out our Tapping 101 page to learn all about how Tapping works and how to do it.Download The Tapping Solution App, where you can find a whole collection of guided Tapping meditations specifically designed for pain relief. We have meditations for a variety of conditions ranging from back pain and sinus pain to endometriosis pain and stomach pain.Try our “5-Day Pain Relief Challenge” in the app, which can help you dive deep into the process and see incredible results fast.Check out my book, The Tapping Solution for Pain Relief, which can be found in our store.And if you want to try out Tapping right away, right now? Go here to try our Tapping meditation titled “Releasing Overwhelm and Frustration of Chronic Pain.”

Until next time…

Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner

ReferencesStapleton P, Chatwin H, Sheppard L, McSawn J. The Lived Experience Of Chronic Pain And The Impact Of Brief Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Group Therapy On Coping. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment 2016;8(2):18-28.“Emotional Stress: Warning Signs, Management, When to Get Help.” Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/6406-emotional-stress-warning-signs-management-when-to-get-help“The pain-anxiety-depression connection.” Harvard Medical School. 2010. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/the-pain-anxiety-depression-connectionConnais C. The effectiveness of emotional freedom technique on the somatic symptoms of fibromyalgia. University of the Rockies, Denver, CO. 2009. Doctoral dissertation, 3372777.Brattberg G. Self-administered EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) in individuals with fibromyalgia: A randomized trial. Integr Med. 2008;7:30–35Bougea AM, Spandideas N, Alexopoulos EC, Thomaides T, Chrousos GP, Darviri C. Effect of the emotional freedom technique on perceived stress, quality of life, and cortisol salivary levels in tension-type headache sufferers: a randomized controlled trial. Explore (NY). 2013;9(2):91-99.Church D, Brooks AJ. (2010). The effect of a brief Emotional Freedom Techniques self-intervention on anxiety, depression, pain, and cravings in health care workers. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal 9(5):40-43.Geronilla L. et al. EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) remediates PTSD and psychological symptoms in veterans: A randomized controlled replication trial. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment 2016;8(2): 29-41. Related posts:Tapping Research: EFT Found to Be Effective Intervention for Young Adults with Suicidal IdeationThe Links Between Pain, Stress, and Emotions – And How You Can Help Yourself Break FreePrescriptions for Health & Happiness

Tapping Case Study – Sleep Issues Resolved

Before she tried Tapping, Vanessa had struggled with sleep issues for a long time. She was skeptical it would help, but she decided to take a chance and give Tapping a try. 

You won’t believe what happened after her very first session.  

Watch the video below to hear from Vanessa herself about her experience:

If you’ve struggled with sleep, then I encourage you to follow Vanessa’s advice and give Tapping a try. Vanessa started with our Sleep Support Challenge – check it out for yourself here! 

Until next time…

Keep Tapping!

Nick Ortner

Related posts:Some Inspiration for YouTapping Research: EFT Found to Be Effective Intervention for Young Adults with Suicidal IdeationThe Links Between Pain, Stress, and Emotions – And How You Can Help Yourself Break Free