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Writer's pictureVernette Butler

EFT & Reiki

In January 2024 I had an operation on my foot and I knew it was going to take a while to heal being that it's a weight bearing joint and it has to heal despite gravity always going to make it swell for a lot longer than anywhere else on the body would.


The day after the opeation was pretty horrendous and that's when I needed something other than painkillers every 4-6 hours to get me through as they were super strong and not doing my tummy any good, so I wanted to limit them as much as possible.


I turned to EFT as I had trained in previoulsy but never really donw anyhting with it, as well as Reiki. I had simply forgotten about these things in my usually busy schedule of teaching various classes and sessions.


I started doing EFt and Reiki everytime the ain got bad and I found it took it right down and lasted about 45 minutes. But that was 45 minutes extra without painkillers, so repeated it.


I also started doing it before going to bed to help with pain, sleep and train me to not get up for the bathroom in the night as it was jst too painful/dangerous and it worked. I didn't get up and I slept well.


Even weeks later as I write this, I am still doing EFT and reiki before bed as well as EFT whe i do rehab exercises to try and retrain my brain connections to my foot.


I have been so mazed how it has worked for me. I honestly dont know how I would've coped without it!

Here's a little more infomation on EFT.


What Is EFT Tapping?

Tapping or EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique is a combination of Traditional Chinese Acupressure (acupuncture without the needles) and Modern Psychology. It involves the use of fingertips rather than needles to tap on the meridian points situated just beneath the surface of the skin. It is non-invasive, simple and pain free.

It appears to affect the amygdala (stress centre in the brain) and hippocampus (memory centre), and both play a role in the decision process when you decide if something is a threat. Clinical trials have shown that EFT is able to rapidly reduce the emotional impact of memories and incidents that trigger emotional distress

It can also works 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.

Tapping procedures can differ slightly from each pracitioner and who they've trained with as well as what the issue may be.


Does EFT Tapping Work?

This powerful technique has been used by an estimated 10 million people worldwide and it has been researched in more than 10 countries, by more than 60 investigators, and published in more than 21 different peer-reviewed journals.

Studies show that EFT tapping can improve psychological disorders.

Most EFT studies rely on feedback from participants, but at least one study found that EFT tapping had measurable results on the body. Participants had lower heart rates and blood pressure after tapping. They also had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress.

A useful resource is the National Library of Medcine (NLM / Pub Med) website as it gives lots of articles on studies for all therapies offered on this site. this link is specifically for EFT.


Using EFT Tapping to Treat Mental Health & Pain

Tapping has been used to treat a variety of psychological conditions, including:

‌Depression. One survey of 20 studies found that EFT techniques reduced symptoms of depression just as well as conventional treatments. The improvement in symptoms lasted over time.‌

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): An analysis of seven studies showed that a series of EFT sessions is effective for a variety of populations with PTSD. No adverse effects occurred, and EFT techniques were effective both as a primary treatment and as a self-help technique.

Phobias. Fewer studies address the use of EFT tapping to treat phobias. One study used EFT techniques on subjects who had phobias. Phobias improved after a single session. For others regular self help treatments of EFT between professional sessions were more helpful.

Anxiety, fear, panic: Although no specific studies to site here, It is often used with success for these issues to the same as above.


Why EFT Tapping?

As a self-help strategy, EFT tapping has advantages over more conventional treatment. It is:

Painless

Easy to do

Less time-consuming than other types of therapy

Control over your own treatment

Non addictive


For more on EFT and having a teaching/tuition session to help with any issues, please eith contact Vernette or read more on www.vernyoga.com/eft




Reiki

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese hands on / off relaxation technique that aids the body in self healing. Reiki treatments are for everyone and only work for the persons greatest good so no harm can ever be done as it promotes your own natural ability to heal. It works on all levels -  physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. There are similar energy healing techniques called Seichem/Sekhem/SKHM which is based in the Egyptian Tradition and Pranic Healing which is in the Indian tradition as well as Cettic Reiki (see below)

The treatment works for the person as a whole rather than for specific symptoms, although Reiki will go where it is needed. It's sometimes useful to think of water on a draining board, it flows to where needed.

Receiving a Reiki treatment is a relaxing simple, non-intrusive hands on therapy. It can be done with the receiver laying down (preferred as its more relaxing) or seated and always fully clothed. The key is to be comfortable enough to be fully relaxed. The practitioner then places their hands non-intrusively in a sequence of positions over the whole body.


What to expect:

This can vary a lot between individuals as the body tries to decipher the energy flow as recognisable sensations. You may feel heat, tingling, prickly sensations, coolness, throbbing, however there is also the possibility you may feel very little other than a sense of well being and deep relaxation. As with the relaxation at the end of my yoga classes, it's not uncommon for people to fall asleep, Reiki still flows if you do nod off!

It can be done hands on and off as the client wishes.

Is Reiki a placebo?

You may be interested the study of Reiki on the National Library of Medicine (NLM / Pub Med)


There are a few variations on Reiki but they alll work the same. It working with that same energy that we all have and that is all around us, that we harness and build through practices such as yoga or having treatments by therapists that have been attuned to tp into the enrgy more freely and channeling it through to us to aid self healing.


For more information on Reiki or receiving a teatment in person or distant, visit www.vernyoga.com/reiki or contact Vernette




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