Does it work? Yes, and no . . . Like anything else, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)  has its benefits, but it is definitely not going to make your fibro go away completely. It does, however, help my symptoms and make my fibro easier to live with, so I've added it to the resources I use to help me cope.

I downloaded the free EFT manual from http://www.emofree.com and read the information provided, memorizing the steps needed to perform a treatment. The first symptom I tried it on was a migraine, and it worked pretty well. The first treatment eased the pain, and after two more runs through the steps, the migraine was gone completely.

My next experiment was with the constant pain I have in my neck and shoulders, and I found that a single treatment eased the pain temporarily, but it needs to be repeated on a fairly frequent basis. The manual says that some things can take multiple treatments over time to fully resolve, but since this particular symptom is aggravated every time I lift or carry anything, I suspect that it will continue to come back and need additional treatments.

I haven't tried it on any emotional issues yet, but that is something I'm definitely planning. One of the recommendations in the book is "try it on everything", and I plan to. I figure the worst that can happen is that I'll spend a few minutes on a treatment that doesn't have an effect, and I think that small investment is worth the chance that it will help.

It seems unlikely that tapping on energy meridians could have any negative effects, but the manual recommends that you discuss the treatment with your doctor before trying it, and I think that is a very good idea. There may be a reason that you shouldn't tap in a particular area, and your doctor is the best person to make that determination.

That being said, EFT is definitely going to be added to my personal arsenal of coping techniques, and I have no hesitation in recommending that you check it out for yourself, with the caveat that I am not a doctor, and this post is personal opinion only.

This post is offered for informational purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. Advice from a competent doctor should be sought before trying ANY new treatment, to ensure that it is safe in your particular situation.

A few years ago, my rheumatologist suggested that I try a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) for my fibromyalgia pain.  She gave me a prescription, and I jumped through all the insurance hoops, picking up my TENS unit a few weeks later.

I visited a physical therapist to learn how to use it, and started taking it to work with me every day. I used it constantly for a while, and it does help while I’m using it (if I manage to figure out where the electrodes need to be,) but the pain always comes back shortly after I disconnect it.

I still use the TENS now and then, but it’s no longer the only non-medication weapon in my arsenal. I sometimes combine it with things like herbal teas or aromatherapy, especially if the pain is bad enough not to respond to a single method; but there are times I can’t use it because the best replacement electrodes can be a bit pricey (and are frequently not covered by insurance,) or because I’ve run out of spare batteries.

A TENS is a good option for temporary pain relief, with a few caveats. Those with a pacemaker should not use them, since the electrical signals from the TENS unit can interfere with how the pacemaker works. They should also be used with extreme care by anyone with a heart condition. Electrodes should never be placed near the eyes, or over the nerves from the neck to the throat or brain; and should never be used on the head or neck if you have blood or blood vessel problems, or if you have convulsions. Finally, don’t use a TENS unit when you’re pregnant, since the effects of a TENS on an unborn child are unknown.

I was complaining about a fibro flare not too long ago, and someone recommended that I try EFT. I bookmarked the site they sent me (http://www.emofree.com/), and then I forgot all about it until today.

Someone I follow on Twitter tweeted a link to her blog (FibroMom), She was talking about trying tapping, which sent me check the link on @meridiantapping’s profile page, and when I went to that site, it reminded me of the EFT suggestion.

I have to admit, it took me a while to find the bookmark (I have LOTS, and sometimes I get lazy, and don’t put them in the folder they should be in,) but I’ve found it now, and am seriously checking it out. I figure the worst that can happen is that I’ll waste a little time on something that doesn’t work for me; but I also figure that if I don’t try it, I may be missing out on something that CAN help.

I’ll keep you posted on how it goes, and if anyone else has tried it, I’d love to hear about their experience

No matter the illness, there are tons of natural alternative treatments out there that you can try to ease your symptoms with fewer risks than prescription medications have. Many of these treatments can be used in conjunction with standard medical therapies, and some can actually replace prescriptions, eliminating uncomfortable side effects and minimizing the risk of interactions.

Treatments like acupuncture, massage, accupressure, reflexology, myofascial trigger point release, herbs, nutritional supplements, essential oils, diet changes and many more can reduce your stress levels and anxiety, ease your pain, minimize side effects from prescription medications, improve your nutrition and health, and just plain make you FEEL better.

I don't advocate just dropping traditional medicine and using only natural treatments, though. Suddenly discontinuing many medications can be extremely dangerous, causing seizures or even death. This type of medication must be tapered off slowly, under medical care, to prevent damage. If your doctor is not open to alternative treatment options, or demands that you follow his treatment plan, you may want to consider finding a new doctor who is more willing to take your desires into account. Remember, your doctors are your employees, members of your team, but they are NOT the decision makers. They are there to advise you on treatment options and aid you in developing a treatment plan that works for you; but it is YOUR body, your mind, and YOU must make the final decision.