Fighting Food Cravings With Energy Tapping

by Fred Gallo PhD

As a psychologist who believes in alternative methods of healing, I have practiced over the years many different techniques in order to help my patients conquer their weight related problems. One of the most powerful techniques also happens to be the simplest — a refreshingly easy little tapping method I developed, based entirely on the way energy flows through our bodies. This technique is part of a set of methods known as Bioenergy Therapy, which exists in the same branch of medicine as acupressure and acupuncture¹.

A little background: Five thousand years ago, people in China discovered that the body has an energy system that follows specific pathways called “meridians.” Predating the Chinese findings by a couple thousand years, a very similar system had been founded in India, based on “prana,” meaning “the life force that gives us energy.”

In modern times, chiropractor George Goodheart, founder of Applied Kinesiology, discovered the effectiveness of tapping at specific meridian points to alleviate physical pain. Psychologist Roger Callahan and psychiatrist John Diamond found that tapping is beneficial for eliminating negative emotions such as anxieties, phobias, depression and anger. Clinical studies have confirmed these findings, including investigations that use sophisticated brain imaging devices. These investigations verify that tapping firmly (but not hurtfully) on various meridian points in the body can produce a relaxation response in the brain, with the overall effect being a calmer, more relaxed state.

I have found through adapting and perfecting these techniques over the last ten years that they can help us overcome a range of weight related issues, from fighting food cravings to improving our motivation for exercise.


A Quick and Easy Technique That Ends The Urge to Overeat

The next time a powerful food craving rears its head, use this simple technique to help get through it without finding yourself standing in front of the pantry. It will help to interrupt energy blockages in your body, stop the craving, and restore harmony to the body and mind.

• First, rate your craving: Rate the level of the craving from one to ten, with ten being the strongest urge possible.
  
• First tapping point: Tap steadily on the side of your hand (in the spot where your hand would make contact if it were karate chopping) while saying three times, "Even though I have this craving for ___ (specify), I deeply accept myself."
  
• Second tapping point: Tap lightly with two fingers about ten times under both of your eyes, on the bony orbit.
  
• Third tapping point: Next, tap lightly with two fingers about ten times under both of your collarbones, close to the center of your chest.
  
• Fourth tapping point: Then tap lightly with the palm of your hand about ten times approximately six inches beneath your armpit on your side.
  
• Re-rate the craving: Rate your level of craving again. It will usually be lower. If not, repeat the process in sequence until it becomes manageable.
  
• Celebrate: Congratulations! You succeeded in not indulging the craving, and now it's time to reward yourself through some positive reinforcement, one of the most powerful methods for overcoming bad habits. Do something fun, write about this milestone in your journal or call a friend to share your experience.