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Tap, tap, tap. Pam Nyden says that's the secret to stop smoking. Or to lose weight. Or to overcome your fears. Just tap, tap, tap.
From her home on the Fairfield-Bridgeport border, Pam teaches clients about the Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT. Using principles similar to acupuncture, the process uses a series of taps on specific pressure points around the body, accompanied by repetitive mantras, to relieve stresses and anxieties. Pam says she's seen it cure many problemseven if she's not quite sure how it works.
"I always use the analogy that it's like electricity. When you turn on a light switch, you don't really know how it works," Pam says. "In fact, you don't really care. You just know that you were in a dark room, and the light goes on."
Pam was trained as a massage therapist. But over the years, carpal tunnel syndrome made the career too tough on her hands. Determined to help people deal with their stresses, she became certified as a life coach. Through that process, she discovered EFT, and became convinced of its effectiveness after trying it out herself.
"I was terrified of going to the dentist. I was the worst patient," Pam says. "Once I learned this technique, I was able to tap while I was in the chair. It was unbelievable."
Pam teaches her clients the simple process, sometimes even over the phone. Essentially, a patient applies light taps to a sequence of pressure points. While doing that, they repeat statements, acknowledging their fears or desires but pledging to overcome them. After a few sequences, Pam says, it works almost immediately.
Some doubt EFT's effectiveness, saying it mostly works as a placebo. But Pam says it has helped her and her clients tremendously. She's used the technique to help people with fear of flying and to deal with stress.
"You have nothing to lose by trying it," Pam says.
Have you ever tried EFT? Did it work? Share your stories in the comments below.
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