What is EFT tapping? Evidence and how-to guide

Emotional freedom technique (EFT), also known as EFT tapping, is an alternative therapy for anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and some other conditions.

Tapping on different parts of the body, primarily on the head and in the face, helps balance energy and reduce physical and emotional pain.

Practising EFT you tap on certain points of your head and face to unblock energy flows. According to EFT advocates, tapping on these meridian points with the fingertips restores the balance of energy to resolve physical and emotional issues.

As with acupuncture and acupressure, tapping involves the body’s energy meridian points, which are a concept in Chinese medicine.

It can also work in a similar way to mindfulness, as it can draw a person’s attention to their body and breathing. It may serve as a mental distraction from the issues that are causing anxiety or stress.