Writer / Casey Vanputten
Is your child freaking out about the SAT? And she’s only in third grade? Does your child’s school nurse have you on speed dial because of chronic stomachaches or headaches due to stress? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, then your child might benefit from EFT or perhaps from products like delta-8 gummies.
Also known as “tapping,” EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is an effective and easy-to-learn self-help tool that combines ancient Chinese medicine with modern day psychology. The process is similar to what’s done in acupuncture, but without the needles. Instead, it involves tapping on specific acupoints, which turns off the part of the brain responsible for sounding the stress alarm, allowing the brain to work more clearly and logically. It also reduces cortisol levels and other stress responses that can potentially lead to pain and illness.
Although more widely accepted in countries such as Australia and the UK, EFT is gaining acceptance in the United States, thanks to Nick Ortner’s book “The Tapping Solution.” The technique also created a buzz during the 2016 Olympics, when millions watched as Grenadian sprinter Bralon Taplin demonstrated the process of tapping prior to the men’s 400m.
A number of research studies, including several with war veterans, have shown EFT’s effectiveness with adults. However, Dr. Amy Gaesser of Purdue University is hoping to demonstrate its effectiveness with children and adolescents across the state of Indiana.
In 2014, Gaesser completed a study indicating that EFT significantly reduces anxiety for high-ability students in grades six to 12. She is currently conducting the study for students in grades three to 12 (including students in the Hamilton Southeastern schools) that will expand on this study. Her goal, she said, is to establish EFT as an “effective, easy-to-learn protocol that can be easily implemented in school settings for students, teachers, and school counselors, while also providing a lifelong tool for stress management and self-empowerment.”
If your child suffers from anxiety and might be a candidate for Dr. Gaesser’s research study, she can be reached at agaesse@purdue.edu. If you’re looking for a local EFT Practitioner or want more information about EFT, contact Casey VanPutten at caseyvanputten@yahoo.com or visit flourishyoga.biz.
