PTSD and Trauma: Do-It-Yourself Technique Out-Performs Memory-Erasing Drug -- Better Results, no Side Effects

A combination of focused thought and tapping on key acupuncture points is a promising new treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

San Francisco, Calif. (PRWEB) February 5, 2006

Harvard University researchers made headlines when they used prescription drugs to erase traumatic memories in what experts hailed as a step toward preventing and curing post-traumatic stress disorder. But according to some health care practitioners, a new and rapidly expanding acupressure tapping technique may provide faster and more lasting relief.

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is common among soldiers in combat, accident victims, and anyone who has survived a bombing, beating, rape, or other shock. Its devastating effects are often permanent, producing nightmares and haunting memories that interfere with every facet of daily life. PTSD affects an estimated 20 million Americans and is the most important mental illness affecting the military.

But drugs are only one approach. In 2004, Jeannie Ertl, a senior clinical social worker at the Naval Medical Center San Diego, used something entirely different. She tested EFT on 15 patients with PTSD, 12 of whom found it helpful at relieving or eliminating anxiety and stress.

One was Seaman Wilbur Hurley, who while serving in Iraq witnessed a young Marine’s suicide. After returning to civilian life in Maryland, Hurley had vivid nightmares, isolated himself from friends and family, and suffered debilitating anxiety attacks.

Hurley’s symptoms disappeared when he visited EFT practitioner Susan Hannibal, who taught the technique to Hurley, Ertl, and several military chaplains. In EFT, patients focus on a traumatic event while tapping on key acupuncture points, a procedure said to balance the body’s energy field, relieving stress and restoring health.

After a single session, Hurley left Hannibal’s office singing. “It was pretty much the greatest day of my life,” he said. Even when he concentrated on the worst events he witnessed in Ramadi, he couldn’t find a single memory that bothered him.

Results like these don’t surprise Gary Craig, the Stanford-trained engineer who developed EFT. In 1994, Craig and a colleague visited a Veterans Administration hospital in California, where they worked with 6 Vietnam War veterans.

“These men hadn’t had a moment’s peace in 20 years,” says Craig. “Their lives revolved around their terrifying memories.” But after just a few minutes of tapping, all of the men experienced profound release. Much of this was caught on camera and is available free on DVD to anyone by requesting it from….

EFT

PO Box 1393

Gualala, CA 95445

“Traumatic memories and phobias usually respond quickly to EFT,” he says, “and the results are often permanent. EFT not only prevents post-traumatic memories from causing problems, it successfully treats memories that are decades old.”

EFT may be the world’s fastest-growing self-help technique. Between 5,000 and 10,000 people download its website’s free instruction manual each week, and its weekly newsletter has 165,000 subscribers.

The free instruction manual can be downloaded by anyone at http://www.emofree.com/downloadeftmanual.htm?ref=prwhurley

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