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Anxiety and the Rise of EFT Tapping

February 23, 2026

In recent years, the prevalence of anxiety has skyrocketed, with the most significant rise seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This also coincided with a rise in stress and stress-related issues such as sleep deprivation and nervousness. In clinical practice, anxiety remains one of the most common reasons why people seek support.

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As effective as talk therapy is, a new approach has emerged that has proven to be more effective in reducing anxiety or anxiety-related symptoms. EFT or tapping has emerged as a powerful, innovative tool that can significantly calm a restless mind and improve the physical symptoms of anxiety or panic. While traditional talk therapy can be effective at understanding a patient’s thoughts and sensations, it lacks the understanding of how anxiety is stored as energy, or more precisely, as a blockage in specific meridian points in the human body. Also, it can often retraumatise patients as they are forced to relive painful memories or experiences, leaving them feeling low-spirited and thus vulnerable.

It’s not always easy to “talk away” the fight-or-flight response in the body. That’s why a somatic approach called Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as EFT tapping, can really help to release and unblock the energy of anxiety, thereby clearing blocked meridian points. Emotional Freedom Technique is a structured method of tapping on specific meridian points while vocally expressing the issue at hand, and gently tapping on specific points on your body with your fingertips.

To better understand the mechanism of the meridian points and the entire network of meridians, and to learn where the EFT tapping points are, it can be helpful to explore resources such as Tapping School, where Rad Swierkowski, an expert therapist with 20 years of clinical experience, shares insights and free resources to deal with anxiety, stress, and fear.

As mentioned above, EFT requires us to tap on specific meridian points. Nine meridian points are considered the main points in the EFT tapping sequence. Once we start tapping, we also begin phrasing the issue at hand, focusing on the emotion in the body, how it feels, and what sensations are present.

How an EFT Tapping Session Works

The structure of a tapping session is quite simple.

First, identify the issue you want to work on. For example, if you want to work on the anxiety you are experiencing because of your boss at work, you need to figure out how you really feel about it. Then rate the intensity of that anxiety in your body on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is weak and 10 is strong. This is done using Subjective Units of Distress (SUD).

Once you know the intensity of that feeling, in this case, anxiety because of your boss, you create an acceptance statement, such as:
“I still love and accept myself anyway,” or
“I choose to accept this feeling in my body.”

You say this while tapping on the karate chop point, located on the fleshy side of either hand, close to the pinky finger.

The karate chop point is connected to the small intestine meridian and helps release psychological reversal or self-doubt. Repeat your setup statement three times whilst tapping on the karate chop point. For example:

“Even though I feel this anxiety, I deeply and completely accept myself.”

The Main EFT Tapping Points

In addition to the karate chop point, there are 8 other main tapping points used in EFT.

Top of the Head

Connected to the governing vessel meridian and associated with releasing lack of focus and brain fog. It is also linked to the crown chakra.

Form your first reminder phrase here. For example:
“I feel this anxiety in my stomach.”

Tap about seven times while repeating:
“This anxiety in my stomach.”

Eyebrow Point

Connected to the bladder meridian and helps release deep frustration and impatience.

Reminder phrase example:
“This feeling in my stomach really makes me feel sick.”

Side of the Eye

Connected to the gallbladder meridian.

Reminder phrase example:
“I can’t really take this anxiety anymore.”

Under the Eye

Connected to the stomach meridian and helps release fear, anxiety, worry, and nervousness.

Reminder phrase example:
“This burning feeling in my stomach.”

Under the Nose

Connected to the governing vessel meridian and helps release shame, embarrassment, and powerlessness.

Reminder phrase example:
“I feel like this anxiety is really draining me.”

Chin Point

Connected to the central vessel meridian and associated with releasing confusion, uncertainty, and indecision.

Reminder phrase example:
“I can’t really function with this anxiety.”

Collarbone Point

Connected to the kidney meridian and helps release general stress, overwhelm, and feeling stuck.

Reminder phrase example:
“I’m really looking to release this deep anxiety in my stomach.”

Underarm Point

Connected to the spleen meridian, it helps release guilt, worry about the future, and obsessive thoughts.

Reminder phrase example:
“I’m ready to release all that stuck anxiety in my stomach that is causing me distress.”

After the Tapping Sequence

This completes one full tapping sequence. Once you finish, check the intensity level of your main issue, in this case, anxiety. Ask yourself:

“How do I feel right now?”

Usually, the intensity decreases by two or more points on a scale from 0 to 10. It’s also good to take a few deep breaths.

If the intensity decreases significantly, you can stop. If not, you can create a new setup statement with slightly adjusted reminder phrases and work through the tapping sequence again to further reduce the stress or anxiety.

Research and Case Study

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 clinical studies found that EFT tapping produced a large and statistically significant reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to control groups (Clond, 2016). Studies like these reinforce the notion that EFT can bring long-awaited relief from anxiety when other methods have failed.

Sources
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