This experience answers two questions that I am consistently asked:
1. How well does EFT work if you are doing it on your own? And
2. Does it last?
I have had chronic TMJ and headaches for as long as I can remember. I volunteered for a clinical study using mouth guards and an experimental topical ointment that promised relief if I was willing to keep using the (unnamed) topical drug. I was told that if I didn't follow their protocol, I'd need surgery on my jaw. Obviously, the facial pain and headaches were bad enough that I was open to being a medical guinea pig. After my first appointment and wearing the incredibly uncomfortable mouth guard, I knew there had to be some other way. Fast-forward two years to my introduction to EFT.
As a newcomer to EFT, I was very skeptical about how effective EFT could be for such a chronic physical problem (hopeful and willing, but skeptical). I tried it half-heartedly on my TMJ without stunning success. Here's what I was saying:
Even though I have chronic TMJ…
The ache lessened a bit, but didn't go away. I watched more of Gary's DVDs and read about what to do if it doesn't feel like EFT is working. Two of Gary's suggestions were to be specific and persistent. So, I went back to work on my TMJ.
I visualized the pain and gave it as much specific language as possible. And I did several rounds. Here's what I formulated this time:
Even though I feel intense pressure in the back of my left jaw, and when I bite down it's excruciating…
Even though the pressure and pain in my jaw feels like a screwdriver is being driven into my wisdom teeth…
Even though this pain and pressure feels like a dull screwdriver pressing into the muscle and bone of my jaw…
TOP OF HEAD: this intense pain
EB: aching pressure
SE: like a dull screwdriver jammed into my jaw
UE: this ache
UN: this intense pressure
CH: can't bite down
CB: jammed into my jaw
UA: intense pain in my left jaw muscles
TOP OF HEAD: still have the pain in my jaw
EB: it hurts like hell
SE: the intense pressure
UE: hurts so bad it itches in the muscle
UN: like broken glass when i bite down
CH: tired of the pain
CB: this intense pressure and pain
UA: pain in my jaw
TOP OF HEAD: little better, but it still really hurts
EB: remaining pressure and pain
SE: remaining glass shards in my jaw
UE: still have pain in my jaw
...and here, I stopped when I felt/saw a little explosion of energy or light. I'm not sure how to describe it, other than a burst of warm energy right inside of the jaw muscle I'd been focusing on. And the pain was totally gone. I chomped down and wiggled my jaw and tried to get the pain back. No dice. It was completely gone. Talk about being sold on EFT.
Three years later, I'm still marveling that I wake up in the mornings without searing jaw pain. I can yawn without my jaw slipping out of place and I no longer worry about it getting stuck open (which it used to do... and that really hurts!). Once again, I can't thank you enough Gary. Both for introducing EFT and for your perseverance in getting it out to a world that sorely needs it (no pun intended).
Peace,
Lorie
Thank you very much for this article. I had a client with TMJ who resolved her issue quickily when we discovered that the genesis of the problem was that she had to keep her mouth shut as a child to escape her father's beatings.
Some of my own issues have not resolved even though I feel that I have addressed the core issues. It is encouraging to be reminded that specificity and persistence can create results in the end as well.
saw a tmj specialist...he told me to tap..but he said to tap between eyes.then above eyebrow, then side of temples, then low on sides of jaw, then under chin and then above upper lip...why i dont know..
my neck is my worst complaint..i dont know what to do...or how to tap for this..is there a right way or wrong
Lori, WOW! I went thru about same thing when I was very young. I didn't find EFT til I got up to about 50+..I did traditional eft,,but then went to faster eft.. However I guess I have taken in my "perception" of my growing up very difeernt then /how I should have.I had it in with hurt,pain,rejection etc. However I had to "change "how I looked at it thru my mom..Once I got it thru my head of how She did her best & her way of giving love I saw it very diferent..I have felt soo angry with her..Now I see how she protected me etc.. Im working now on my TMJ.Not as bad as it was or like your..Just sore,with swollen glands..I have several issues to clean up yet..However I have a different feeling & "perception"on outcome..
Disclaimer: All information on this website is for educational purposes only, and the content is not intended to suggest that it is a
substitute for proper medical care or good common sense.
While EFT has produced remarkable clinical results, it must still be considered to be in the experimental stage
and thus practitioners and the public must take complete responsibility for their use of it.
In addition, the articles on this site represent the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the
founder of EFT, Gary Craig, nor the owner of this web site, Stefan Gonick.
EFT never ceases to amaze me! The process is gentle and often provides benefits where other methods fail.
