Emofree Techniques

The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or emofree, was founded by Stanford engineering graduate and ordained minister, Gary Craig. On his site, Craig boasts that EFT can remedy any personal problem you may have, from the common cold to enhancing your golf game. As an alternative form of medicine, EFT has been surrounded by controversy and referred to as pseudoscience by some.

About EFT

• EFT draws from mind-body medicine, otherwise known as mind-body interventions, in that the technique is based on the belief that the mind and body are inextricably linked; according to EFT, better emotional health leads to better physical health. The technique is akin to acupuncture but without needles. Practitioners of EFT lightly tap their fingers on points of the body that are normally used in acupuncture. The technique is said, by its founder and followers, to require no training or background; it is simple enough to complete at home. However, many products, training classes and credentialing programs are available for those wishing to further their EFT expertise.

The Technique

• In order to set yourself up for EFT, identify the spot on your body that is related to the issue you would like help resolving. Then, repeat a neutralizing affirmation three times while massaging or tapping the identified "sore spot" for your issue. The EFT manual suggests this affirmation: "Even though I have (insert the issue to be dealt with here), I deeply and completely accept myself." All spots and affirmations are outlined on the EFT website as well as in the manual.
  Next, begin "sequencing," which is to tap, with your dominant hand, along different points on the body, repeating affirmations that are specific to your issue.
  After sequencing, perform the "9 Gamut Procedure." The gamut point is located on the back of the hand, between the ring and index finger. Tap this spot while performing these nine actions in sequence: with your eyes closed, with your eyes open, eyes open but looking hard to the right, eyes open but looking hard to the left, roll your eyes clockwise, roll your eyes counterclockwise, hum the melody of a song for two seconds, quickly count to five, and hum a song for two seconds once more. Then repeat the steps for sequencing.
  This is only a basic outline for EFT. Depending on the issue you want to deal with certain steps, tapping points and affirmations may change.

The Controversy

• Some people believe EFT is nothing more than a scam or psuedoscience. Partly this is because the founder is not in fact a doctor. Ultimately, EFT has never been scientifically studied, and can never be, as the supposed energy fields it is helping to change cannot be scientifically proven nor measured.
  Some arguments used for EFT are false or unfounded. Craig refers to Einstein to support the theory that all things are made up of energy; however, it is a very different type of energy that Einstein spoke of than what EFT is based on. (For that matter, Einstein does not say everything is made of energy, merely that mass can be converted to energy.)
  Skeptics argue that EFT's success is based on something known as the "placebo effect." Studies on the placebo effect have shown that when you are injured or ill, the body will release hormones that help defend itself against further injury or illness. These hormones are released when we think we have found a reliable treatment for our condition, thus making you feel better, but not actually healing you in the long run. It can also be a purely psychological effect with no hormone activity--you think you're going to feel better, so you do.