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The meridian system of the body that EFT tapping accesses has been mapped and used for around 4,000 years in the East (Valdez, Suarez and Martinez, 2003). This energy system is fundamental to Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Shiatsu, Feng Shui, Reiki, Jin Shin and all the many and varied metaphysical systems of the East that we in the West are only now beginning to measure and appreciate though the scientific method (Tsuei, 1996).
The ancients theorised that everything is given life by a mysterious life force energy which they named ch’i (ki, chi, qui – the pictogram does not easily translate into the symbols of the West). The means by which this energy is distributed in the body is a network of energy pathways known as the meridian system.
Meridians are energy pathways in the body that both energise the body and are connected to psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing (Kleinman and Lin, 1981). There are twelve pairs of these energy pathways named for each of the internal organs and processes of the body (liver, gallbladder, heart, lungs etc) plus two others, which are not paired (conception and governing vessels) (Ridolfi, 1992).
To briefly study how the emotional aspect of the meridians can interact with physical issues, it is useful here to take an example. The Liver meridian, for instance: Chinese Medicine uses the metaphore of a government official in charge of planning (Ridolfi, 1992). The pathway itself starts in the big toe, runs up the inside of the leg, goes around the external part of the reproductive system, through the liver itself and branches into the lungs, eventually joining the Lung meridian. The other branch goes towards the back of the throat and up through the eyes, connecting to the Governing Vessel (Ying House Staff, 2006). Immediately we begin to see how too much alcohol can interfore with bedtime pleasures and how the jaundiced state of a liver can manifest in a yellowing of the eyes. Equally, the meridian connection between the reproductive system and the liver can correlate with, for example, the connection between unprotected sex and diseases of the liver – Hepatitis B, for example.
Emotionally, the Liver is associated with anger and emotional behaviour either controlled (planning) or uncontrolled (lack of planning) (Beresford-Cook et al, 2003). Beresford-Cooke et all go on to describe how the development of a Liver imbalance from childhood repression, the inability to express oneself and “working to someone else’s plan” (Beresford-Cooke et al, 2003, p 124) can result in excessive behaviour designed to distract from frustration and anger: alcohol abuse, excessive eating, anorexia/bulimia, workaholic behaviour and so on, resulting in the liver being overloaded, with a consequent reduction in its ability to detoxify the body. Additionally, Liver imbalances may result in unbalanced emotions, such as PMT, inappropriate crying at the thought of a loved one, tactlessness, panic attacks etc (Beresford-Cooke et al, 2003).
An unbalanced Liver, therefore, having had emotions associated with it repressed, may result in physical issues due to a person’s inability to express herself. These may appear to be unrelated, such as inflexibility of the body (or emotions), problems with the muscles and tendons (pain as well as stiffness), vision issues, lack of co-ordination etc (Connelly, 1994).
This brief examination of the connection between physical and emotional issues rooted in the Liver meridian begins to explain how meridian therapies can address both disturbing feelings and physical dis-eases and how one (a physical imbalance) may be a result of the other (emotional imbalance).
Although only the Liver meridian was studied above – and that briefly - we can see how each meridian has both physical and emotional issues related to it. Thus, using the meridian system to approach and heal emotional and physical issues makes a great deal of sense.
Luckily, we have an accessible system to do just this in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).
EFT energises the meridian system by tapping specific points on the face and upper body to address and release emotional issues. It works on the basis that all negative emotions are caused by disruptions in the energy system (Craig, 2004). By tapping on points on the meridian system these disruptions can be released, enabling ch’i to flow more freely, so bringing relief from a variety of problems such as (but not limited to) trauma, phobias, anxiety, fear, compulsive behaviours, pain etc.
EFT can be done over the phone and by skype as well as in person, so no matter where you are in the world, contact me for a free 20 minute phone consultation.
References
Beresford-Cooke, C, Williams, L and Pole, N; 2003; Shiatsu Theory and Practice; Oxford; Elsevier Health Sciences
Connelly, D M; 1994; Traditional Acupuncture: The Law of the Five Elements; Columbia; Traditional Acupuncture Institute
Craig, G; 2004; The Manual; Self Published; Accessed: 23/07/2004; URL: http://www.emofree.com/downloadeftmanual.asp
Kleinman, A and Lin, T-Y; 1981; Normal and Abnormal Behaviour in Chinese Culture; Philadelphia; Springer
Ridolfi, R; 1992; Shiatsu-Do: The Handbook; London; The British School of Shiatsu-Do
Tsuei, Prof J J; 1996; Scientific Evidence in Support of Acupuncture and Meridian Theory; Accessed: 25/02/09; URL: http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?Id=1087
Valdés, Dr F B, Suárez, Dr L F and Martinez, Dr M del C R; 2003; Acupunctural Analgesia in Surgical Cases; Accessed: 25/02/09; URL: http://www.medicc.org/publications/medicc_review/V/1/acupunctural.php
Ying House Staff; 2006; Liver Meridian - Foot Jue Yin - General Information; Accessed: 24/02/09; URL: http://www.yinyanghouse.com/acupuncturepoints/liver_meridian_information
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