Decolonizing “Emotional Freedom Technique”

You’ve heard of “Emotional Freedom Technique”, right? It seems like every coach on YouTube has a video on EFT. Or maybe you’ve seen it called “Tapping”. Typically, the process involves tapping on different parts of the body while repeating an affirmation, usually something intended to help you let go of old patterns or boost self-confidence. Seems pretty chill.

Hate to break it to you, but like so many other techniques in the world of Big Wellness, EFT has been extracted from Chinese cultural practice and rebranded. And yes, this is cultural appropriation.

Let’s back up. What’s going on here?

Cultural appropriation of Chinese Medicine (and of Chinese culture, and of other East Asian cultures, and of other Indigenous cultures, etc.) is nothing new. It’s a pillar of Imperial Western colonization. More recently, there was a boom of cultural appropriation in the 1960s that continues to this day. Here are a few relevant examples:

•  1960s-70s: George Goodheart appropriates watered down Chinese Medicine concepts in an attempt to validate his “Applied Kinesiology”, which is a controversial technique at best.

• 1980s: Roger Callahan names his tapping technique “Thought Field Therapy”. This is the precursor to EFT.

• 1990s: Gary Craig selects a specific series of acupressure points, and combines the tapping process with Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) affirmations. While he did originally credit Chinese Medicine for his technique, he still cherry-picked, rebranded, and patented a form of medicine to which he had no ancestral connection. EFT was released into the public domain in 2010.

So what’s the problem?

This type of appropriation often fetishizes the “ancient-ness” of Chinese Medicine, while simultaneously implying (or stating outright) that it was “improved upon” by the white folks who are trying to rebrand and sell. This demeans and devalues Chinese practices, cultures, and peoples. This is theft.

Additionally, all of the above techniques use hand-wavy language like “energy blocks” to describe the acupressure points and channels (“meridians” is an outdated translation). This is imprecise, and it waters down and minimizes the essential cultural context and diagnostic techniques that make Chinese Medicine so powerful. Remember that Chinese Medicine is individualized based on pattern diagnosis; there is no single technique that works for everyone.

A phenomenon often occurs that I like to call “Cultural Misappropriation Telephone”: Each step that takes us further away from the original source has the potential to mistranslate, misunderstand, or otherwise get something wrong. Always consider who you’re learning from and remember that lineage and integrity matter.

Chinese Medicine is a complete medical system. While more commonly used modalities like acupuncture and cupping certainly pack a punch (yes hello I know I’m biased), there are plenty aspects to Chinese medicine that are lesser known; some aren’t even taught in Western acupuncture schools.

With all of this in mind, let’s go back to the root, starting with Qì Gōng 氣功.

Qì Gōng 氣功, which translates to “Qì Work”, (I prefer to leave “Qì” untranslated, since its meaning is contextual and the term “energy” is reductive.) is an Indigenous Chinese somatic practice. Specific techniques vary by lineage. Some are more Yīn (restorative), others are more Yáng (invigorating). Most of us who practice are perpetual beginners.

Common components include:

• Shaking - This was considered the most crucial element by many of my teachers.

• Universe Stance - A gentler “horse stance”, meant to create space to settle after shaking.

• Forms and walks - Moving meditation.

• Breathing Techniques - A living tradition of Daoist “breathwork”.

• Slapping channels and tapping acupressure points: Often selected in accordance with the season and with the purpose of the form.

• Chanting - Pre-Daoist, Daoist, and/or Buddhist, depending on the lineage.

Imagine how much more powerful acupoint tapping is in the context of a regular Qì Gōng 氣功 practice, woven together with all of these wonderful somatic Qì-moving and Qì-building techniques.

If you do use EFT with your clients, please attribute it properly. To start, here is some information on the most commonly used points in EFT. While I have included some basic indications here, acupuncture points are meant to be used together, and to be individualized based on pattern diagnosis. Each point has multiple indications, many of which depend on the points that are involved. In addition to the points below, the act of tapping also stimulates acupoints on the fingertips, particularly the Pericardium Channel.

Small Intestine 3, or Hòuxī 後 谿 “Back Stream”

Called the "Karate Chop Point" by EFT (please stop using this fetishizing term), the 1st point is on the side of the hand, right below the knuckle bone on your pinky. Distal point for back/neck/shoulder pain and tension. Regulates the SI channel and Governing Vessel.

Bladder 2, or Zǎnzhú 攢竹 “Gathered Bamboo”

The 2nd point is right where your inner eyebrow ends. Commonly used for vision and sinus disorders.

Gallbladder 1, or Tóngzǐliáo 瞳子髎 “Pupil Crevice”

The 3rd point is on the outer edge of the eye, right on the bone between the orbit and the temple. Used to treat vision, temporal/supraorbital pain and headaches.

Stomach 2, or Sìbái 四白 “Four Whites”

The 4th point is right below the center of the eye, on top of the cheekbone. Treats vision, local paralysis.

Governing Vessel 26, or Rénzhōng 人中 “Human Center”

The 5th point is on the philtrum, right below the nose. Helps with consciousness, calms the spirit, psychoemotional issues (One of Sūn Sī Miǎo’s 13 Ghost Points), acute lumbar sprain.

Conception Vessel 24, or Chéngjiāng 承漿 “Container of Fluids”

The 6th point is between the chin and the lower lip. Facial disorders, severe thirst, stiffness at nape of neck. Psychoemotional disorders (One of Sūn Sī Miǎo’s 13 Ghost Points).

This is Kidney 27, or Shūfǔ 俞府 “Shu Mansion”

The 7th point is right below the collar bone on either side of the sternum. Treats cough with phlegm, chest pain, trouble breathing, rebellious Qì, anxiety.

This is Spleen 21, or Dàbāo 大包 “Great Wrapping”

The 8th point is underneath the armpit on the midline, in the space between the 7th and 8th ribs. Unbinds the chest, supports weak limbs.

This is Governing Vessel 20, or Bǎihuì 百會 “One Hundred Meetings”

The 9th and final point is right on the top of the head in the middle. This point descends wind and raises Yang. Treats tinnitus, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, lethargy, palpitations, severe depressive symptoms.

Final Thoughts:

Remember that Chinese Medicine is an Indigenous form of medicine. Any efforts to claim “discovery”, to rebrand, or to dilute this medicine are acts of colonial violence.

When practicing a form of Indigenous medicine or spirituality, especially if it is not our own ancestral practice, we must spend every day earning the right to carry it. We must always learn from the source and practice humility.

I don’t know that there’s a perfectly “right way” to handle situations like this. I don’t have all of the answers. I don’t know if there’s a better term to use than EFT, or if that would fall into the same “rebranding” trap. That being said, harm reduction matters, and proper attribution is a place to start.

I also want to acknowledge the real benefits of acupoint tapping: It’s something that you can to yourself, anytime, anywhere, and it’s basically free of cost. All of the above points are useful, even if they’re not perfectly indicated.

And hey, if you really love EFT and find it super helpful, then maybe it’s time to see a Chinese Medicine practitioner 😉.

Images, point indications, and translations are adapted from Manual of Acupuncture, by Peter Deadman and Mazin Al-Khafaji.