The magic touch (From Warrington Guardian)

The magic touch

2:56pm Friday 26th October 2007 in Health & Beauty By David Morgan

ALTERNATIVE therapies have opened our eyes to a world of remedies outside the realm of conventional medicine.

But perhaps none have made as much impact in recent times as Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT) - a relatively new healing technique that has helped people make positive changes to their life.

EFT is a simplified form of acupuncture but does not involve needles. Instead, people stimulate meridian points' around the hands, face and body.

"Emotional Freedom Therapy is based on the theory that there is energy flowing around the body and we are simply tapping our natural ability to heal," said Penketh therapist Lyndon Garvey.

One of the main benefits of EFT is that many people can learn the technique themselves rather than having to rely on a specialist.

"This is the beauty of EFT," said Lyndon.

"Around 60 per cent of people can get immediate results. Obviously some people need specialist assistance and the therapy does not work for everyone but many people can do it for themselves."

EFT can help with a broad spectrum of physical and emotional problems such as eliminating cravings and additions, alleviating pain, soothing stress, combating fears and phobias and even helping with deep-seeded problems like past traumatic memories. Lyndon added: "I work with a lot of people who have a history of abuse and it's remarkable how it helps them."

Lyndon said one of his greatest success stories was aiding a client who had diabetic neuropathy, which meant the nerves on his feet were starting to wear.

He had tried all matter of treatments from sleeping pills and anti-depressants to chiropody but it was only when he tried EFT that his pain was alleviated.

Similarly, Lyndon dealt with a client who was suffering with severe anxiety about stopping smoking.

But after the tapping method, the client was able to cut down to just five cigarettes a day before eventually quitting.

Like with many alternative therapies, Lyndon acknowledges that many people will be sceptical and confessed that he was a cynic himself at first. But he urges people to try it before they rule it out.

He said: "EFT is perhaps the most bizarre looking technique and many people are sceptical at first.

"However a defining feature of EFT is that people do not have to believe it will work for them.

"Indeed, many of the people I have worked with thought the technique was silly but got good positive results nonetheless."

The therapy was created by clinical psychologist Roger Callahan - under the title of Thought Field Therapy' - when he was working with a lady who had an extreme fear of water.

It was then developed for large groups by Gary Craig.

Today, the treatment is rapidly growing in popularity and has been used by Paul McKenna on his I Can Change Your Life television series.

In fact, Garry Craig firmly believes the process will be used in every school and prison within 10 years to help alleviate unwanted emotions and problems.

Now Lyndon is on a mission to spread the message of EFT and often conducts seminars throughout the county incorporating EFT theory, success stories, pain issues and a technique workshop.