EFT

[TheLegend]

I'm currently reading Joyful Recovery From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME by Sasha Allenby before I start the programme.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joyful-Recovery ... 1606931458

And I was wondering how compatible EFT is with the programme. I'm sure it can only help but I'd like others and/or Ashok's input.

[kenvj]

The advice that Ashok gives with the program is to avoid other stuff.

[TheLegend]

[quote="kenvj"]The advice that Ashok gives with the program is to avoid other stuff.[/quote]

I was under the impression, at least from the youtube previews and Ashok's posts, to avoid things that will clash with his hypothesis. Now whether that applies here I'm not sure as EFT doesn't state, in relation to CFS, anything specific.

As I'm likely to do the Perrin Techinque (as Ashok has no problems with it) I thought a 'side dish' of tapping might be worth throwing into the mix. I can't at least see on the surface what harm it could do and importantly it's free.

[steven e]

as i understand it the main reason Ashok advises not trying anything else is so you gain a clear picture of whether his program is working or whether it is something else you are trying. this is important in terms of keeping you committed to doing the techniques. i've been on the programme for almost two months now. it is very carefully constructed to give you the maximum chance of being able to do it on your own at home. and it can take time to work. at the beginning you are a little on trust. and as the main technique can be a little disorienting at the beginning, having other techniques you're exploring could sap your willingness to give it a good go.

i took Ashok's advice at the beginning and stopped exploring other avenues whilst i got a grasp of his program. i even stopped visiting this forum. and i'm glad i did. i think that if i had continued checking out other things i wouldn't have been so focussed on giving the program a good go. and i know it would have just intensified the doubts that sprung up on starting something new. as it is after a few weeks i really got into the swing of the techniques and exercises he's developed and have now been seeing some really good results. i've already been in situations that a few months ago could have caused a relapse and haven't relapsed.

so i guess my advice would be to give the program your undivided attention for the first month or two. there is a lot in it and it takes a while to really integrate it into your life. then when you're established you might want to start bringing in other practices you feel would support it.

i know it can sound a little like being proscriptive and like mind control to say don't try anything else. my experience is that it is actually coming from quite a canny place about how the mind operates at the start of something new and is an attempt to make sure you'll get the maximum benefits from the program.

hope that helps. the more i work with this program the more i believe that Ashok really has found something here and is coming from the crux of cfs.

best wishes
steven

[TheLegend]

Thanks for that steven,

I guess it's whether another 'avenue' is specific to CFS. For example, I have an appointment with a headache clinic in January. Now obviously it's not CFS specific but daily chronic headaches are a massive factor in my illness. If I can get a handle on them then I know I'll be considerably improved.

As I've mentioned elsewhere in this sub-forum I've investigated the perrin technique as a physical therapy. Ashok sees no issues with this. It appears the crucial element is keeping one's attention on the programme and not having it constantly diverted away.

[Ashok Gupta]

Hi All,

I think that EFT is ok to use, as long as it does not divert you from the main techniques in the programme. In fact I believe EFT works as a form of amygdala retraining, and my version of this is the Soften and Flow technique in the programme. Essentially, when you tap on your body at the same time as tuning into physical sensations that are unpleasant, or memories which are unpleasant, the amygdala can't rationalise deliberately moving towards an experience which you don't like. Therefore it concludes that it is not traumatic, and releases the resistant traumatic conditioning within its circuitry, thereby allowing the sensations to subside. I think this is the most rational explanation of how EFT works, especially given that experiments have shown that you can tap in any sequence anywhere, and you get a similar result. Furthermore, it is very similar to EMDR and some NLP stuff which achieves similar results in similar methods,

Kind regards
Ashok

[Emergo]

I am an EFT fan and started it a year before starting the ARP. The only thing I can't get my head around, is that EFT "demands" that you go into the feelings to get to the emotion behind them but ARP teaches NOT to pay attention (except within the S&F technique) to the symptoms.

I'm curious to how to combine these....

[JR]

I just consider EFT to be like a short version of Soften and Flow. It teaches my amygdala that the feelings/sensations are nothing to be concerned about, because I'm focussing on them calmly, with acceptance. Seems to work especially well if I'm having a lot of anxiety.