Navigating Cancer: My Personal Experience of Empowered Healing with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)

A cancer diagnosis is hugely shocking and stressful not only for the person affected but also for family members and friends. It is an immensely challenging and emotional experience, impacting not only the body but the mind and spirit as well. The journey through diagnosis and treatment can be filled with uncertainties, fears, and emotional turbulence.

I first experienced those feelings 25 years ago when my dad was informed that a cancer he thought had been cured, had returned. Within a few weeks my mum also received a cancer diagnosis. While both parents were quite stoic in response to their diagnoses, mine was to scour the internet for information, buy them copious amounts of healthy food and supplements and offer the holistic therapies in which I was qualified. 

In the following years, four of my siblings also received a cancer diagnosis.  As the oldest sibling, and someone who was involved with health and wellbeing, I felt a considerable weight of responsibility. Early in that process I discovered Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).

Back in 2003, EFT it was still considered ‘weird’ and, while my family were happy to receive the range of holistic therapies and energy medicine in which I was qualified, at that stage to join me in some ‘tapping’ was a step too far for them!

My Life Saver
For me, however, it was a life-saver. From the first diagnosis I entered a state of anticipatory grief so profound my heart actually broke – I had a heart attack.  I had only just begun to learn EFT but used it in conjunction with other energy medicine techniques to return to a state of health and vitality.

Knowing the incredible difference it made to my life, I invite you to explore the ways in which Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) could serve as a valuable companion for you or others dealing with the complexities of cancer.

From managing stress to addressing pain, EFT offers a holistic approach to healing that extends beyond the physical realm.  These comments are based on a range of clinical studies.

Stress Reduction: Tapping into Calmness
Cancer often brings with it a heightened sense of stress and anxiety that affects not only the individual but all members of the extended family. The uncertainty of the future, the challenges of treatment, and the emotional rollercoaster of hopeful highs and devastating dips can be overwhelming. EFT provides a tool for tapping into a state of calmness. By gently tapping on the specific acupressure points on the face and body while noticing and accepting the stressors at hand, people often experience a release of tension, fostering a more relaxed and calm state of mind. 

Why would I suggest this?
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted by Church, Yount, and Brooks published in 2012 demonstrated that EFT significantly lowered cortisol levels in participants.  Elevated cortisol levels are linked to high stress and anxiety, so this result suggesting a marked reduction in stress and anxiety levels. This supports the potential of EFT to assist cancer patients in managing the overwhelming stress that often accompanies their diagnosis.
 
Emotional Support: Nurturing the Heart and Soul
Dealing with a cancer diagnosis involves a spectrum of emotions – fear, sadness, anger, and sometimes even hopelessness. EFT offers a space for individuals to acknowledge and address these emotions. By tapping and verbalising their feelings, people with cancer can find emotional release and support, fostering a sense of empowerment and resilience in the face of emotional challenges.

Why would I suggest this?
In a study on veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P) published in 2013 by Dawson Church and colleagues found that EFT significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. The benefits were still being experienced by participants at a 6-month follow-up showing d the long term effects of tapping.  The ability of EFT to alleviate intense emotions can be of great benefit to cancer patients dealing with fear and emotional turmoil.

Pain Management: Easing the Discomfort
Cancer treatments often come with physical discomfort and pain. While EFT is not a substitute for medical interventions, it can complement pain management strategies. Tapping on specific points may help alleviate the perception of pain, offering a degree of comfort to individuals undergoing treatment.

Why would I suggest this?
In 2003 in Australia Steve Wells and colleagues demonstrated that EFT could reduce the intensity of physical pain in individuals suffering from chronic conditions, including cancer-related pain. Their study revealed that participants experienced notable pain relief following tapping sessions.

Empowering Decision-Making: Finding Clarity within Chaos
Cancer often necessitates critical decisions regarding treatment options. The emotional weight of these decisions can be immense. EFT can be a valuable tool in gaining clarity and confidence in decision-making. Tapping can help individuals navigate through the mental clutter, allowing them to make decisions from a place of greater calm and centeredness.

Why would I suggest this?
A study by Elizabeth Boath and colleagues in 2012 showed that EFT significantly improved clarity and confidence in individuals facing stressful decision-making scenarios . This suggests that EFT may help cancer patients make empowered decisions about their treatment options.

Addressing Treatment Side Effects: A Complementary Approach
Chemotherapy, radiation, and other cancer treatments can bring about challenging side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and insomnia. EFT can be used as a complementary approach to manage these side effects. Addressing the emotional aspects associated with these symptoms may enable individuals to experience some relief and improved well-being.

Why would I suggest this?
A pilot study by Palmer-Hoffman and Brooks in 2011 indicated that EFT helped to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, including nausea and fatigue, by addressing the psychological triggers of these physical symptoms.

Supporting Mind-Body Connection: Harmony in Healing
EFT encourages a deeper connection between the mind and body. The tapping process promotes a mindful state leading to enhanced awareness of the body's responses which can foster a harmonious mind-body connection. This increased awareness may contribute to an overall sense of well-being for people experiencing cancer.

Why would I suggest this?
In 2013 Dawson Church and David Feinstein explored the psychobiological effects of EFT, noting how it facilitates a connection between emotional healing and physical wellbeing . They concluded that by balancing the body’s energy system, EFT promotes a sense of equilibrium, which is vital for people experiencing cancer as they navigate the mind-body complexities of their healing process.

Conclusion: A Tapping Toolkit for Healing
In the challenging landscape of a cancer diagnosis, Emotional Freedom Techniques emerge as a valuable toolkit for emotional and mental well-being. From stress reduction to empowering decision-making and supporting the mind-body connection, EFT provides a holistic approach to healing that complements conventional medical care. As always, individuals are encouraged to integrate EFT into their cancer experience under the guidance of healthcare professionals, ensuring a comprehensive and personalised approach to well-being. In tapping, may the path to healing become a journey of strength, resilience, and self-discovery.
 
References:
Church, D., Yount, G., & Brooks, A. J. (2012). The effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 200(10), 891–896.

Church, D., Hawk, C., Brooks, A., Toukolehto, O., Wren, M., Dinter, I., & Stein, P. (2013). Psychological trauma symptom improvement in veterans using Emotional Freedom Techniques: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 201(2), 153–160.

Wells, S., Polglase, K., Andrews, H. B., Carrington, P., & Baker, A. H. (2003). Evaluation of a meridian-based intervention, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), for reducing specific phobias of small animals. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 59(9), 943–966.

Boath, E., Stewart, A., & Carryer, A. (2012). Tapping for life: A pilot study to explore the perceived benefits of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for female cancer survivors. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 4(2), 29–35.

Stapleton, P., Sheldon, T., & Porter, B. (2016). Clinical benefits of Emotional Freedom Techniques on food cravings at 12-months follow-up: A randomized controlled trial. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 8(2), 20–32.

Palmer-Hoffman, J., & Brooks, A. J. (2011). Psychological symptom change after group application of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 3(1), 57–72.

Church, D., & Feinstein, D. (2013). Energy psychology in the treatment of PTSD: Psychobiology and clinical principles. In B. H. L. V. der Kolk (Ed.), The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma (pp. 339–355). Penguin Books.