Tap away any pain!

Our bodies are built to heal from injury, but sometimes emotional stress and trauma can disrupt the body’s natural energy field, which hypersensitizes nerves and creates muscle tension that reduces blood supply, lowers oxygen and brings on more pain, explains Eric Robins, M.D., a Los Angeles urologist and pelvic pain specialist. Enter tapping, a simple technique that Dr. Robins uses to help his patients break the pain cycle. It works by restoring energy balance to the body— similar to acupuncture, but without needles!— by sequentially tapping nine “meridian points,” or energy hot spots. “Tapping can clear away any negative emotional charge, cuing muscles and nerves that it’s safe to relax and let go so the body can heal itself,” he explains. “And it works on all types of pain—from arthritis to migraines to nerve pain!” Here’s how you can tap your pain away: Begin by continuously tapping your fingertips on the “karate chop” area of your hand (see illustration) 5–7 times while repeating an affirmation that addresses your specific concern like: Even though I have this stabbing pain in my back, I deeply and completely accept myself. Moving sequentially through the other eight points on the body (see illustration), tap with your fingertips 5–7 times on each spot repeating a reminder phrase that acknowledges the area of pain, like: This pain in my lower back. You can use the tapping technique as often as you’d like to ease discomfort, illness or stress and update your affirmation based on your symptoms, says Dr. Robins. For more information or to watch a tapping demonstration, visit Thetappingsolution.com, or pick up The Tapping Solution for Pain Relief by Nick Ortner.