How Tapping Trauma Therapy Or Emotional Freedom Technique Can Help Manage Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that can occur after a traumatic event. This disorder can lead to symptoms that interfere with daily life. Still, a variety of treatment options exist for managing PTSD symptoms, including tapping trauma therapy.

Also known as the “emotional freedom technique,” tapping therapy uses controlled tapping of different points on the body to reduce symptoms of trauma, stress, and anxiety. This technique can address some of the unique challenges that PTSD presents and has been shown to provide relief from the disorder’s depressive symptoms. 

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is a condition that can arise in the months or years after a traumatic event, such as an incident of physical or sexual abuse, a crime, a natural disaster, an accident, or military service. It is often characterized by persistent emotional distress in the aftermath of trauma. It can also be associated with other emotional and mental symptoms. 

PTSD symptoms can include, but are not limited to:

• Trouble sleeping.
• Feelings of guilt or hopelessness.
• Recurring experiences (or “flashbacks”) of the traumatic event.
• Strong emotional reactions to reminders of the traumatic event.
• Irritability or recklessness.

Additionally, PTSD may lead to a variety of physical symptoms, which may include: 

• An increased startle response.
• Fatigue.
• Nausea.
• Increased tension.
• Physical pain.

According to the diagnostic criteria presented in the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5, symptoms must persist for a minimum of one month in order to qualify for a PTSD diagnosis. If symptoms last less than one month, they may instead point to a condition called acute stress disorder (ASD). This disorder may mimic PTSD but with a shorter duration. You may refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) if you want to know more about the diagnostic criteria for each disorder.

PTSD can negatively affect an individual’s everyday life and emotional well-being. Left unchecked, symptoms of trauma or C-PTSD can interfere with work and daily responsibilities and lead to other conditions such as depression and substance abuse. When it comes to PTSD prevalence in the U.S., it is estimated that 70% of American adults have experienced an event that has caused them trauma, even once, in their lives.

What is the emotional freedom technique (EFT) or tapping trauma therapy?

EFT, or emotional freedom techniques, is considered a form of energy psychology. EFT involves tapping on specific meridian points on the body while focusing on psychological issues to alleviate emotional distress and promote well-being.

EFT tapping is one of a variety of methods that can treat post-traumatic stress disorder, combat the negative effects of PTSD, and help patients recover from a traumatic event. Other treatments for trauma and C-PTSD include :

• Therapy such as prolonged exposure therapy (PET), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and group therapy.
• Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
• Mindfulness and meditation.
• Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

The emotional freedom technique, also known as EFT or EFT tapping, has been gaining attention for its potential to aid in PTSD recovery and improve the symptoms of psychological trauma. The theory behind EFT treatment stems from traditional Chinese medicine, which claims that tapping certain energy points on the body, also known as “meridian points," promotes energy balance, reduces negative emotions, and improves well-being. 

The EFT process starts with identifying an issue that is causing distress and trauma, such as a painful memory or an ongoing stressful event. The individual then rates their distress about the issue on a scale of one to ten, ranging from not distressed at all to extremely distressed. 

After noting this number, the individual creates a statement relating to the challenge they are currently experiencing and a statement of self-acceptance. These are the messages that will be repeated during the tapping process. Some examples might be, “Even though I am feeling extremely anxious, I love myself deeply and completely, and I am going to be alright,” or “Even though I am experiencing a lot of stress, I completely accept and love myself.” 

The individual then repeats these statements out loud while repeatedly tapping on a series of EFT tapping points, which include:

• The outer edge of the palm.
• The top of the head.
• The eyebrows.
• The outer corners of the eyes.
• Under the eyes.
• Above the upper lip.
• The middle of the chin.
• Above the collarbone.
• The underarms.

After tapping each point while saying their chosen phrase, the individual then reevaluates their current distress level on the same scale of one to ten, comparing it with their original score and repeating the process if necessary. The EFT process can be repeated as often as needed until the discomfort or physical sensations of distress are reduced. 

Although you can practice EFT tapping on your own, you may see more significant benefits and a faster reduction in symptom severity with the help of a professional. Proposed clinical guidelines recommend a series of 10 EFT sessions conducted by a clinical EFT practitioner for the treatment of PTSD. 

How effective is EFT tapping in treating mental health conditions such as PTSD

More research is needed to determine EFT’s effectiveness in treating PTSD. However, early research is promising. A 2013 study found significantly reduced psychological distress among veterans experiencing PTSD who were treated with emotional freedom techniques. After six sessions of EFT, over 86% of the subjects who were war veterans no longer met the clinical criteria for PTSD. Moreover, a 2017 survey found that 63% of EFT practitioners reported PTSD resolution within ten sessions of EFT treatment.

There is some evidence indicating that clinical, emotional freedom techniques may also be helpful in reducing the effects of stress, depression, and anxiety, which may be beneficial for those whose PTSD presents with those symptoms. 

For example, the study "Reexamining the effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial" investigated the impact of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on stress biochemistry and psychological distress. Participants were randomly assigned to EFT, psychoeducation (PE), or no treatment (NT) groups. The EFT group showed significant reductions in cortisol levels and stress biomarkers compared to the PE and NT groups. However, the subjective reports of psychological distress did not reflect these biochemical changes, suggesting EFT's effectiveness in reducing stress markers but not necessarily perceived stress.

EFT and therapy

When it comes to helping individuals recover from a traumatic event and symptoms of C-PTSD, cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly recommended treatments. A licensed therapist can help you explore the emotions surrounding a traumatic event in a safe and supportive setting while giving you the tools you need to manage symptoms of C-PTSD as they arise. 

Your healthcare provider may recommend therapy independently or with other treatments, such as medication or mindfulness techniques for C-PTSD or signs of trauma. In some cases, EFT tapping may be a helpful supplemental treatment for specific symptoms of PTSD, including anxiety and depression. Preliminary evidence shows that EFT sessions are effective for symptoms of clinical PTSD—an intervention for someone dealing with traumatic memories and anxiety.

Individuals experiencing PTSD may find it difficult to conduct their day-to-day activities, and leaving the house can be challenging in the aftermath of a traumatic event. In these cases of complex PTSD, online therapy may be a helpful option. With the help of a licensed trauma therapist such as those on BetterHelp, you can receive personalized PTSD treatment from the comfort of your own home at a time that’s most convenient for you. 

Research shows that online therapy can be an effective alternative to in-person therapy for those experiencing PTSD. A 2007 study highlighted significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity among patients who received internet-based therapy. A 2022 study found that online cognitive behavioral therapy was just as effective as in-person therapy in treating PTSD. 

Although managing PTSD symptoms can feel overwhelming, help is available to get it successfully treated. A licensed mental health professional can help you find the right treatment plan for your situation so you can manage your C-PTSD symptoms and get on the path to recovery. There are a lot of treatment options out there that have passed clinical trials for effectively managing complex PTSD symptoms and traumatic memories. Consult a mental health professional for more information.