Page 33 - American Nurse Today January 2008

✓ below nipple (B)—about 1 inch below the nipple in men and where the breast meets the chest wall in women
✓ thumb (TH)—the outer side of the thumb
✓ index finger (IF)—the side of the index finger fac-
ing the thumb
✓ middle finger (MF)—the side of the middle finger
✓ baby finger (BF)—the inside of the baby finger
✓ karate chop (KC)—the fleshy part of the outer hand.
• Nine gamut procedure. Continuously tap the gamut point (located on the back of the hand about 1⁄2 inch between the base of the knuckle of the ring and baby fingers) while performing these steps:
1) Close eyes.
2) Open eyes.
3) Look to lower right.
4) Look to lower left.
5) Roll eyes in a circle.
6) Roll eyes in the opposite direction. 7) Hum 2 seconds of a song.
8) Count to 5.
9) Hum 2 seconds of a song.
• Repeat the sequence step. Valuable tool
Proponents of EFT say that it’s not meant to replace
traditional psychological or physical health care, but to provide an additional tool that can quickly and easily reduce symptoms of psychological or physical distress. EFT shouldn’t be used to treat serious psychological conditions, unless the practitioner is a qualified profes- sional with experience treating them.
EFT is noninvasive and easy to use. And people have reported immediate relief. So EFT just may be a valuable tool nurses can use in their personal and professional lives to reduce headaches, anxiety, fear, and more. ✯
Selected references
Emotional Freedom Techniques. www.emofree.com/home.htm. Ac- cessed November 6, 2007.
Ruden R. Why tapping works: speculations from the observable brain. www.energypsych.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlen- br=28. Accessed November 6, 2007.
Waite W, Holder M. Assessment of the Emotional Freedom Tech- nique: an alternative treatment for fear. www.srmhp.org/0201/ emotional-freedom-technique.html. Accessed November 6, 2007.
Wells S, Polglase K, Andrews H, et al. Evaluation of a meridian-based intervention: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), for reducing spe- cific phobias of small animals. J Clin Psychol. 2003;59(9):943-966.
Joan C. Borgatti, MEd, RN, is owner of Borgatti Communications, which provides writing, editing, and coaching services. Her website is www.joanborgatti.com.
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January 2008 American Nurse Today 33