AAMET Life Magazine - Summer 2011

THE MAGAZINE OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF MERIDIAN ENERGY TECHNIQUES
LIFE
AAMET
SUMMER 2011
REPORT
AAMET Trainers Conference & AGM TECHNIQUE TIRED TAPPING Improve Your Success INDUSTRY NEWS NEW EU REGULATION Herbal Remedies Banned
EFT AROUND THE WORLD
Aloha from
Hawaii
THERAPY REVIEW
Homeopathy
DOSSIER 18-PAGE SPECIAL
INTEGRATIVE
HEALTH SOLUTIONS
EFT in the NHS Freedom from Dental Fears
PLUS: DISCOVER HOW MEDICINES CAN GET US BACK ON TRACK
Hello!
I cant believe the AAMET has reached its first year as a legally constituted Association where does time go? As a celebration, prepare yourselves for some big changes in the next few months starting with our website which will take on a new look and feel. The changes have been made in response to what you told us you wanted which was a more vibrant website, more visibility from our Committee members and features on the home page. You also want to know whats going on in the EFT community and weve made a start by featuring in this edition, those in the medical profession who incorporate EFT into their practice. From the questions that were being sent to the AAMET, it was decided to distribute a survey to our trainers to compare their levels of understanding against the laid down criteria. The results will help us to identify where we need to be more explicit to give our Trainers confidence that they are operating in accordance with our guidelines/regulations. Speaking of surveys - you may even receive an email asking for your vote on certain topics so I think were keeping to our word when it comes to keeping you involved! We are still planning to develop an AAMET Masters Programme and are working on a new Trainer of Trainers package. Whilst this is in progress, we are not appointing any more Trainer of Trainers but we wont keep you waiting long. You also asked us for a Newsletter like Gary Craig used to send out and were working on this also. To make this work though we need your articles or case studies and you can start sending them in right now to comms@aamet.org If you like our magazine (and lots of you tell us that you do) then why not send it to your friends, family, students or anyone who may be interested? We have been asked if the magazine can be available in a different reading format and Kay, our editor, is researching into this. Bye for now.
Proud to be your Association!

Our purpose is to share, help and support anyone interested in but not limited to, Meridian Energy Therapies. The AAMET welcomes members from all over the world
Helena x (AAMET Chairperson)

editor & design Kay Gire comms@aamet.org deputy editor Jane Unsworth comms@aamet.org 2
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If you would like to submit features or contribute to the magazine please send your ideas to our Editor. For enquiries or information on advertising please contact our Communications Team. For information about becoming a member of AAMET, please visit the website and join online.
advertising Communications Team comms@aamet.org AAMET info@aamet.org www.aamet.org
The articles published in the AAMET Magazine represent the views of the contributor/author and are not necessarily the official views of the AAMET as an organisation. The magazine or members of the Editorial team are in no way liable for such opinions. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the contents of this issue are accurate, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or late changes. No article, advertisement or graphic may be reproduced without written permission from the author or publisher.
LIFE
SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org
Contents
LIFE
Summer
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Features
28 INTERVIEW WITH AN EXPERT: HALF AN HOUR WITH DR ANTHONY SHARKEY 38 AAMET TRAINERS CONFERENCE & AGM: THE REPORT
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Review
4
34 FEATURED THERAPY: HOMEOPATHY A QUICK GLANCE
4 TIRED TAPPING: HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR RATE OF SUCCESS 12 NEW EU REGULATION: HERBAL REMEDIES BANNED
Articles
Regulars
6 EFT AROUND THE WORLD SERIES: ALOHA FROM HAWAII
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Dossier
INTEGRATIVE HEALTH SOLUTIONS
18 MEDICINE: THE PRACTITIONERS HIDDEN GUIDE 24 DENTAL FEARS: HOW EFT CAN RELIEVE DENTAL PATIENTS FEAR 32 EFT IN THE NHS: RAPID PAIN RELIEF IN THE SURGICAL WARD
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Tired Tapping
When I sit down to do some tapping and Im tired, I very often use my beloved magic bear. It means then that I dont have to keep lifting my arm and the releases I experience from this style of tapping are just the same for me. It helps me even further if Im working on myself in the second person. Using my tapping bear has lead me to uncover other more refined techniques in applying EFT. There are times when I simply cant be bothered to tap at all, in those instances, I would turn off the light and settle down to sleep. If I find that I cant sleep then I would do my tapping as I lie in bed. I have a simple statement which I repeat in my head and I imagine tapping my bear whilst doing this. Again, I experience the releases just fine. I do however find that I get distracted with other thoughts much more easily as the physical focus isnt there, but I find that acceptable when Im doing some tired tapping. However, I found that I can take it one step further, and instead of imagining myself tapping all the points on the bear one by one, I imagine that Im wearing a magic glove. When I touch the bear with this glove, it activates all the points at the same time. They all light up and the energies shoot around his body, through all his meridians. As I already have my statement I merely think it to myself whilst I imagine touching the bear with the glove and I then experience a big release in one go. This technique has various uses simply because of the speed at which I now experience my releases. As well as being great for when Im very tired, it also takes away any embarrassment about tapping in public. If there is anything I want to work on any time, I just have to get the image of the bear and zap all his energy points with my special glove and within a very short period of time I experience my releases. After a while, the image of the bear may not even be necessary, just the intention of a big release.
EFT techniques
How to improve your rate of success

I use it when Im driving, waiting in queues, chasing my daughter round a soft play centre or just playing football with her. Anytime that its ok to be distracted. I also find that with this technique I can focus in a lot more on the sensations in my body. I feel that when Im trying to place or connect with the emotions, the constant movement of tapping is sometimes a distraction, so to be able to just be still, relaxed and simply to find the feelings and release them is more like meditating than tapping. It may be that in order to get good results from this, you may benefit from approaching it in steps as I did. However, it may be easy enough to just go straight to the intention of a big release without even using the bear as a stepping stone. Whatever works for the individual. I sometimes try to play with setting my intention to release on a specific issue throughout the day and check in at regular intervals to keep releasing. I do get some big releases which I find encouraging. I also feel that this may be useful in surrogate tapping. Looking at or imagining the intended recipient and then visualising their energies moving in one go, as you activate all the points, can only improve the rate of releases.
Be Happi EFT Coaching
Karen Young
07736 937631 www.behappi.co.uk behappi@live.co.uk
A gentle way to reconnect with yourself
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EFT around the world series
Aloha from Hawaii

Certified EFT practitioner and self development expert Helen P Bressler currently lives in Oahu, Hawaii. She holds a first class honours degree in nursing and is also a professional coach. Originally trained in energy therapies, energy psychology & needle-free acupuncture, Helen earned her diploma in Energy Healing over 12 years ago. With 20 years of self development expertise, Helen understood that hidden core issues, limiting self-beliefs and unresolved trauma were often the cause of stress, addiction and many ailments; and often the cause of feeling stuck, directionless or unable to achieve desired success. Helen uses EFT to diminish trauma, blocks and disempowering beliefs which get in the way of us discovering or achieving what we really want.
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Two Tsunamis EFT and Aloha

by Helen P Bressler
I live in Hawaii. Yes indeed I am blessed to have perpetual summers, daily sunshine, magnificent plants, an array of interesting and rather colorful attire and, most of all Aloha. A downside to living on the islands though is the threat of tsunamis. Ive been here for 18 months now and have seen 2 tsunami threats in the past 12 months. The last tsunami was less than 2 weeks after the earthquake in Japan. And whilst we watched the terrible unfolding live from Japan on our PC, my husband and I were listening to loud sirens blaring around our valley. These heralded the imminent threat of a tsunami. Now as you will likely be aware, Hawaii sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and is pretty much the remotest place on earth. There is little to buffer the islands from such threats and, lets face it, theres only so far we can run. So when the sirens go we know to load up with food and water, pack a small bag each, get torches, a blanket and load the car in case we need to move higher up the valley. We can only go about half a mile further up which equates to about 4 stories; but that may just be enough.
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I choose to invite aloha fully into my heart

They tell us were safe. The water wont reach us. Stay safe, have enough water, fill the bathtub, bowls, pans. I check on my elderly neighbour and invite him to spend the night with us. Other neighbors are stating We understand that the roads will be blocked off as they have food, others have a generator, others have many try to get home if they are at work and oth- extra room in their house if anyone needs a place to ers leave the inundation zones for higher ground. So stay, someone states they have beer. The inundation zones are being evacuated. The lotheres not much point in trying to leave the valley. As already stated we can go higher by using a couple cal school at the bottom of the street, ocean side, is of local side streets. The end of our road is about six opened as a shelter for those living close to the water. houses way. After that there are dense wooded hills. People offer food, water, blankets. We live in an idyllic part of the world. Our little apartment is surrounded by lush green hills and we can walk to the ocean. When the sirens go, the only way is up. There is little time for us to head further inland due to the road network. Its not archaic but the small size of our island is made larger by the limited routes. Were one and a half miles away from the ocean and a few stories up.
I check on a friend who is in Waikiki on late night shift providing smoking cessation to sex workers. He is on his way home.
Everyone in Waikiki have been advised to find shelter high up. Tourists are informed to get above the 5th Last years tsunami was scary indeed. We had never storey; local workers find their own shelter or go to experienced such a state of emergency. We lived fur- one of the ones being opened up. ther down the valley, about one mile to the ocean The beach is cleared and the homeless people are and on ground much closer to sea level. Add to that taken to shelters. The local bus service has shut down we had no car and did not know our way around very except to offer itself as a service to ferry people to well and it was just terrifying. I even called relatives safety. on the other side of the world to say our goodbyes, As a nurse I have makeshift bandages, tourniquet, just in case. torch, stethoscope, blood pressure monitor and watch Last year we watched and waited. We had food and water, blankets and torches. And nowhere to run. As we know, the President stated Hawaii dodged a bullet in response to the tsunamis near miss of the islands. We watched as televised images showed the tsunami swirling around the island, sucking the tides back and then rushing in only inches higher. It took me two days before my heart settled back into my chest. And now, one year later and I am a lot more used to the island. I even think of myself as Kama aina, or someone who lives here. This time we understand what the sirens mean; we turn on the PC and radio to find out why theyve started howling at ten oclock at night (more sociable than the 5am wake-up call last year). at the ready. I am on standby for any locals who may need help. I know that other health care workers will be doing something similar.
And we watch and wait. And as we watch and wait, I begin to tap: Even though Im scared we might die as a result of the tsunami. This fear of tsunami death. I tap full rounds of the above and then begin to address other thoughts and fears which are arising from the disruption of my energy. I tap on the fears, breaking them down into the fear of drowning, the fear of being crushed, the thought of my husband drowning, the image of my dog getting exhausted as she swims for her life.
When were all set, I check on what the neighbours I also tap on the disruption caused by the global shift are doing. They are stocking up water and food and in energy. This is huge! settling in for the night.
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I can really feel my SUDS hitting the roof when I think The news crews have given information in such a about the force of the tectonic plates and the feeling way that we dont know if were going to be okay or of electricity in the air. if were done for. By the sound of the newscasters its I tap on the forewarnings I received for the past two the former; by the images coming from Japan its the days; the disruption in my energy was tangible. I felt latter. off but had no idea why, there was just nothing, ab- But the aloha is around us. Its in our faces. Its in the solutely nothing to attribute it to. way were speaking to one another and its in the gesI tap on the annoyance I feel in myself for not recog- tures were giving one another. nizing these pre-emptive energetic shifts. I feel gratitude welling up and carry on tapping. I tap on the various aspects of the drama of it all which As we count down the last few minutes I am now tapa part of me is enjoying. I tap on the various aspects ping: of feeling inconvenienced which another part of me I choose to invite aloha fully into my heart is feeling. I choose to meet the tsunami with aloha Finally, I begin to tap as a surrogate for the people of I choose to release the fear of impact Japan, for the island itself, the culture, the economy, everything that will be affected. I carry on tapping as Minutes later and the first impact of the tsunami hit I watch and wait. our island; the waters come in around 1/3rd of a mile As I hear the sirens sounding every hour. I tap as we and three feet high in some places. Theres damage to begin to count down the hours and minutes until homes, boats, belongings. impact. I tap for the tourists. I tap for the emergency services. I tap for the patients at hospital who are unable to move and for the staff who are not going to leave their side. I start to tap for the marine life and everything that could be, is, affected. No lives are lost. Im grateful that the tapping helped me to remain calm and with perspective. Im grateful that it helped me to really see the value of aloha.
The experience grounded me to Hawaii where before there had been some resistance to being here. The As the night passes and we get into early morning I experience also taught me the value of using EFT imbegin to really see the value of Aloha. mediately. The custom that greets tourists to the islands, bidding their welcome or farewell; the practice that tells us to be nice to one another. Even more than that, its a tradition that treats everyone as equally valued, to be cared about. It really took the edge off my fears. It allowed me to feel I could do something for others by surrogate tapping. It made me realize I neednt have experienced the terrible fear that I did last year had I used EFT. I would likely not have had to wait 2 days before I could As the countdown gets closer I really start to ap- feel my heart back in my chest. preciate how the homeless have been bussed up to Perhaps this article is more of a story than an article shelters, how neighborhoods are pulling together, which details the various applications and successes checking on each other, offering one another shelter, of EFT. company, food and water. Yet EFTs use was so valuable in this situation [for me I appreciate how the roads are now empty, the towns silent, everyone tucked out of the way. I appreciate how the news bulletins have said the same thing over and over throughout the past five hours: evacuate, get to high ground, get out of the indundation zones, get food and water, and remember to treat everyone with aloha. I cannot give evidence that anyone or anything was aided by my surrogate tapping], that I thought it was a story worth sharing.
Helen P Bressler
www.optimumevolution.com
The minutes are creeping up to 3.07 a.m. the prooptimumevolution@gmail.com posed time of impact.
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industry news
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Herbal remedies banned as new EU rules take effect

Traditional Herbal Medicinal Product Directive (THMPD)
a report by AAMET Life Magazines Jane Unsworth ing for the European Commission and EU Governments to amend the THMPD and suspend the draconian measures against herbal medicines removing all barriers to traditional remedies with a long You may have received an email history of use inside and outside that circulated around the Internet Europe. towards the end of March 2011? Avaaz claim we have a right to It came from Save Natural Health choose among all remedies and campaigning against SR (Statutory medicines that can keep ourselves and our families healthy. And Regulation) within the industry, The new European Directive sup- theyve added another 469,000+ ports legislative action being un- signatures into the mix. New EU rules came into force at the beginning of May 2011 banning hundreds of herbal remedies. The laws are aimed at protecting consumers from potentially damaging traditional medicines. dertaken by the Alliance for Natu- In the UK. on 16 February 2011 Health Minister Andrew Lansley ral Health. Save Natural Health have gathered issued a statement outlining proa petition of signatures against the posals for statutory regulation of directive and by Sunday, 1 May Medical Herbalists. 2011, they claim to have gathered the following no less than 1,284,269 signatures to our petition against this, a success of historical significance. This was a devastating blow for those involved in the herbal profession who had been advocating that statutory regulation should not take place (for years). Subject to Parliamentary approval, such practitioners who wish to supply unlicensed herbal products will be required by law to register with the HPC (Health Professional Council). This statement indicated that SR could only go ahead, subject to Parliamentary approval. Added to this was a MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) statement saying: A formal consultation exercise will take place on specific legislative proposals for establishing the register and proposed reforms of medicines legislation later in 2011. Again this statement indicates the process is still at the proposal stage, and subject to further consultation later this year. It seems the battle to oppose statutory regulation is not over yet despite this however, the THMPD was fully implemented on 30 April 2011.
They go on to mention a citizen By the time of writing the minister network action group called Avaaz had only stated: who launched a similar effort call-
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SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org 13
industry news
How is it affecting Medical Herbalism now?

According to a local Medical Herbalist (in my local area) who wished to remain anonymous; because shes a fully trained and qualified Medical Herbalist, it wont affect the way she treats or prescribes within her practice. However shes no longer allowed to recommend an over-the-counter herbal remedy to a patient. Neither is she allowed to buy a tincture from another Herbalist in her area if she runs short. And those selling herbal remedies are themselves affected in what they can and cant sell. Under the directive, herbal medicines will now have to be registered. Products must meet safety, quality and manufacturing standards, and come with information
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outlining possible side-effects. Many herbal practitioners and manufacturers fear the new rules could force them out of business.
the use of herbal medicines after a study found that 58% of respondents believed these products were safe because they are natural. To date, the industry has been covOver-the-counter Herbal ered by the 1968 Medicines Act, Medicine drawn up when only a handful of Research conducted for the Medi- herbal remedies were available cines and Healthcare Products and the number of herbal practiRegulatory Agency (MHRA) in 2009 tioners was very small. showed that 26% of adults in the From now, manufacturers will UK had taken a herbal medicine in have to prove their products have the last two years, mostly bought been made to strict standards and over the counter in health food contain a consistent and clearly shops and pharmacies. marked dose. Remedies already on sale will be allowed to stay on the shelves until their expiry date. The agency said there had been 211 applications for approval of herbal remedies so far, with 105 granted and the rest still under consideraThe agency said it hoped to pro- tion. Approved remedies will come mote a more cautious approach to with a logo marked THR. Commonly used ingredients already registered include echinacea, which is used against colds, St Johns wort, used for depression and anxiety, and valerian, which is claimed to ease insomnia.
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Licenses
One of the heaviest restrictions that brings into question what lies behind the statute is the cost of product licenses. The prices being quoted are in the region of 40-80K for each product, which is unlikely to be met by an independent Herbal practice.
The New Advertising Standard Authority CAP Code

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the independent body that endorses and administers the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (the CAP Code) which applies to nonbroadcast marketing communications. It is responsible for ensuring that the self-regulatory system works in the public interest. It achieves that by investigating complaints, identifying and resolving problems by research and by promoting and enforcing high standards in marketing communications by ensuring that everyone who commissions, prepares and publishes marketing communications observes the CAP Code for non-broadcast advertisements. The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) is the body that created and revises the CAP Code. The Compliance team works to ensure that marketing communications comply with the CAP Code and with ASA adjudications. The CAP Code may have significant implications for you. For, even though the ASA are said to be not interested unless specific complaints are made, the Nightinggale Collaboration are said to be recruiting Quackwatch-type members who will undertake to scan the websites of a different therapy each month, looking for claims that they can complain about using the new code.
Balanced approach
While wanting to explore both sides of the discussion, I havent found anyone for this piece, who is pro-SR, so Im going to add a few words in favour in order to bring balance. My comments are a general observation on Standard Regulation for Alternative Health Practitioners. Standardisation in essence seems like a good thing, helping guide clients / patients and their expectations for a successful outcome within a given structure. Were it a simple enough process to implement, especially in helping people to learn how the various tools we offer can provide a more efficient release from emotional discord than those routes they may be more familiar with. But we only have to look at the squabbles that ensue within the associations where their techniques have become mainstream (and accepted through GP practices, health centres and private medical schemes such as BUPA), methodologies such as Acupuncture or Reflexology and we know that just like doctors they rarely agree, as each system improves on its predecessor, it presents a veritable minefield to manage.
Does your marketing material comply with the law? If you are not sure click the link to find out: http://www.fht.org.uk/advertisingquestions/ Have you heard of Nightingale Colaboration? If you have not click the link to find out: http://www.nightingale-collaboration.org/ Would you like more information regarding this? If you do then click the links below:
http://www.anh-europe.org/news/cam-practitioners-in-cross-hairs-of-uk-skeptics http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/the-lay-scientist/2010/oct/16/1
Where next?
We hardly know what will happen next but it will be interesting to learn how the story unfolds. If you are involved through your work please advise us of your experience. Wed particularly like to hear about it on AAMETs Facebook Wall .
Jane Unsworth
www.abcsimpleas.co.uk
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DOSSIER
Integrative Health Solutions

A Dossier filled with integrative health techniques and strategies for practitioners
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Medicine, could it be a hidden guide?

Discover how medicines could give us a clue to get us back on track
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Interview with an expert
Half an hour with Dr Anthony Sharkey

32 EFT
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Freedom from Dental Fears

EFT to reduce dental fear in patients
The first and best thing you can do is to immediately start listening to your body
in the NHS
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DOSSIER Integrative health solutions
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Are we sometimes chasing red herrings when working with illness using EFT?
Discover how Medicines could give us a clue to get us back on track
Let me introduce myself, I am Megan Smith, EFT practitioner, Matrix Reimprinting Practitioner, META-medicine health coach and a Clinical Pharmacist based in Birmingham in the UK. I am also Founder of UK Medicines Advisory Service, a service that aims to advise, inform and train holistic practitioners about medicines. And I feel there is something were missing out on here. A red herring is something that diverts us off a trail or distracts us by its presence. And my personal experience? I think EFT practitioners may well be chasing them, me included. This is a huge opportunity, not a criticism. The something that I feel is missing is the integrated approach looking at all aspects of the client in front of you and seeing what fits best. Sometimes this can be allopathic or modern medicine, sometimes this can be EFT, and sometimes it can be a completely different therapy or modality. EFT is very good at what it does and I am very much in favour of it, but there are times when we could make other interventions. In this article I start to explore that area and share my findings with you. LIFE
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Before I came to EFT I was a clinical pharmacist, a specialist pharmacist of around 18 years experience in the NHS working in all sorts of areas including surgical and medical specialism, cardiology, childrens, intensive care, psychiatry, and recently in chemist shops as well. This background has given me a good insight into how medicines are used in general practice and specialist areas, where they can fit in and how best we can work with people who want to take medicines. If medicines are part of the equation of many illnesses (and in the UK lets be realistic they are- many consultations with GPs and other doctors result in a prescription for a medicine which is then taken on a regular basis) then we need to look at the client holistically while using EFT with them, we therefore need to take into account medicines. Never advise your client to stop or change the way they are taking their medicines; this must be done only with their prescriber. Medicines could be affecting what were doing, we could be affecting the need for medicines and we could be working on things such as medicines side effects that it might be better to find a more appropriate medicine rather than use EFT. EFT would be effective at minimising the side effects at least for a while but I would question whether that is getting to the true cause of the issue, the medicine. There is huge potential for integrated working with traditional medicine doctors and other healthcare professionals - a huge way in of working with people who are taking medicines long-term perhaps with chronic diseases.
My first experience of EFT
It was actually for a personal health issue and I went onto integrated working with my GP to ensure that I was healthy, safe and happy with Integrative working also ensures the outcome in all respects. In late the safest and the best thing for 2006 I had a severe chest infection. the client in front of us all times. I was in my mid-thirties and out of If we as EFT users have an aware- nowhere I developed asthma. ness of medication this can enThis was quite severe, needing 4 hance our service to our clients different inhalers to control it and giving them the icing on the cake in a four-month period I found mysomething they will appreciate. self in Accident and Emergency deThe doctors and also the other partment of the hospital or my GPs healthcare professionals out there surgery requiring high-dosages of will respect us for it as well. inhaled medication to get myself Medicines are an area that they out of an asthma attack. understand and use every day of I went on a personal development their working lives and we could weekend and one of the leaders use this common ground to help there introduced me to EFT. Id integrated working. never come across it before - I was As a health coach I am able to do an a total scientist at the time. assessment of peoples health us- Before starting EFT I was barely ing META-medicine; a model that able to string a sentence together was explored in a previous edition I was so breathless. of AAMET LIFE magazine. My first reaction was to reach of all A plan is devised from this assess- the inhalers under the sun perhaps ment and a holistic therapy plan even ringing for an ambulance. for the client is created that looks Knowing nothing about EFT I was at body, mind, spirit, social and enled through tapping points and vironmental factors that could be through the wording that I now affecting their health and perhaps know as part of the technique and the things to look at to get them within 10 minutes I could hold a back to wellness. conversation comfortably without With additional information about getting out of breath. the medication we can hone this This showed me that EFT works. model even further and ensure that all aspects of the client is Whilst this goes against everything Ive trained for and have done for looked after. 15 years I believed there is somePerhaps if I give you an example; thing in this. perhaps the simplest case of integrated working was one that got This was my introduction to EFT. me into EFT.
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Now I was extremely cautious about reducing medication but also wanted to get myself off the medication because within days I knew the asthma had settled and had sorted itself out. I approached my GP asked if we could do this because I felt my asthma had settled and we came up with a working plan of how to achieve that. Integrated working with the GPs - this is what you can do with your clients, on behalf of your clients when we are able to resolve the underlying health issues. Okay, I was a knowledgeable patient but there are lots and lots of knowledgeable patients out there; lots of people that know their stuff that can help to do this. So the plan we came up with was 1. Which inhalers to start with? I was on 4 at that point so went with the philosophy of last in, first out. 2. The agreement was that I was to monitor my breathing if I had
any signs at all I could use my reliever medication (my blue inhaler) to stop any wheezing or any chest or breathing problems.
3. If after two weeks Ive had no wheezing, no breathlessness, no cough at night and was not staying awake with symptoms of asthma I could then go on to remove the My specialty is in medicines and well next inhaler. being and I very much advocate for In doing this we only had one little individualising therapy (medicines blip where I needed to take my salb- or otherwise) for patients and the utamol. I went back to GP see him integrated approach can help us and we discussed what happened better achieve this. and went back one step.
We all know the types of things that EFT can be successful with; each practitioner will have their own specialty and ways of using EFT. What Im talking about here can be integrated into any model looking at health issues whether using EFT or some other holistic therapy.
When considering medicines, which And within three months of my first is a new area to many, we must go session of EFT I was off all for inhal- back to the fundamentals; the quesers and currently (over 4 years later) tion that needs to be asked Im on no medication for asthma at What do medicines do? all and the asthma is deemed by Medicines only treat a symptom doctors to be in remission. which is all that medicines are deThis was my first experience of inte- signed to do. Symptoms are genergrated working from the perspec- ally bothersome, troublesome, paintive of the patient. ful. Something we dont want to go A case of EFT resolving issues and through. helping health!
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A symptom is pain, it is swelling, its a cough, its a fever, its a skin allergy, it can be anything that is uncomfortable. Its the kind of thing you complain to the doctor about. being asked to work with this type of issue, we should certainly have an awareness of this and its potential to interact with what we do. Another example may make this clearer: You have a gentleman in his 60s sat in front of you complaining of muscle pains and he would like some EFT to help relieve this issue. ing them, and ultimately bringing the side effect to the attention of the client and their prescriber. You dont have to be an expert in this area. The trick is knowing where to look for the information. There are good support services available as well as training and individualised advice on medicines should you need it. Just having that question of Could it be the medicine? in the forefront of your mind can open up a whole new integrated way of working. If you have any suspicions that it could be the medicines, explain that to the client. Explain your suspicions but send them back to their GP or the hospital doctor to get it checked out. If we can remove the cause of the issue by working together we can change or modify the medication so that the side-effect is no longer experienced. It may be an easy way to uncover the core issue, as we are always looking to get to the core issue using EFT. Medication may be the core issue that we are seeking out. If for any reason the medication cannot be changed; and you do have to respect the prescribers decision on this; then perhaps it is appropriate that we tap away the muscle pain that is going on for the client. But at least then we can do the best that we can for the client using techniques such as Chasing the pain.
Medicines are designed to take those symptoms away they are not designed to get to the root cause in the same way EFT and other energy psychology techniques can. As we take a history of this discomMedicines are very, very good at fort we would ask perhaps about what they do but they are not the many aspects. answer to everything. It is a risk But do we ask about his medicaversus benefits decision each time tion? If we had asked this from the they are prescribed. client we would have found that he A Statin is a medicine from a group of cholesterol-lowering medications that is taken by many individuals in the UK that are over the age of retirement or have had any heart or circulation issues in the This can be quite a complicated pic- past. Statins appear in the top 10 ture, especially where you have sev- medications prescribed in UK. eral medications being prescribed We could quite easily have tapped and occasionally there does have away pains in muscles but my to be prescribing of one medica- guess would be if we did that they tion to overcome the side effect of may well recur in a few weeks time another medication. This is part of because it is actually medication the risk-benefit analysis that goes causing the pain. on. A side effect of statin medications However the client is not always is muscle pain in the large muscles fully aware of the risks and benefits of the legs and the arms. There are of medication but are being asked many reasons why it is better that to make a decision whether to take you work integratively with the medication or not. doctors over this issue. So back to the title Are we some- To actually go ahead and do EFT times chasing red herrings when without taking the whole situation working with illness using EFT? into account is perhaps not in the Some of the issues that present themselves as physical ailments could actually be caused by the medication the client is taking. The client may well be unaware of this but I do feel as an EFT practitioner
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Each time a medicine is prescribed the benefits of reducing the symptoms - making the patient feel better, prolonging life or getting the body out of a dangerous situation, has to be balanced against the risks associated with it.
is taking a Statin.
best interest of the client.
Just by the EFT practitioner asking Could that be the medicine?, So integrative working brings an would be enough to start the con- added dimension to what we do as versation with the client, empower- EFT practitioners. This is something we can easily integrate into our practice.
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Medication is an area that doctors know and understand and if we can start to have some common ground, this might offer a way that we can start to work with the doctors and they can start to work with us. Hopefully that gains respect and ultimately a better outcome for the patient which is what were are all here for in the first place. As a clinical pharmacist I have spent a lot of time during my working life working as part of a consultant led team trying to individualise medication and using my knowledge of medicines to get the best result for the patient.
For example, going back to the gentleman that was taking Statin earlier, we have well documented percentages of the number of people that experience that muscle pain and generally it is very low. What is it about that 1 person in 100 that makes them different to the other 99? My belief is, it is something to do with their energy state, something is going on for them psychologically emotionally, internally which causes them to experience that physical problem and side-effect. Megan Smith is helping to bring the Midlands EFT and energy psychology community closer together by having helped to organise the EFT Spring Gathering this year. Day to day she is the founder of UK Medicines Advisory Service, www.ukmas.co.uk which provides advice and information about medicines to holistic health practitioners including EFT and Meta Medicine practitioners. Megan Smith MRPharmS is a Clinical Pharmacist and a Clinical Psychiatric Pharmacist of many years experience in the NHS as well as an Advanced EFT Practitioner and a Meta Medicine Health Coach. Specialities include working with EFT to ease diseases, whether major or minor. Based in Bartley Green, South Birmingham, UK, Megan also enjoys meeting up with friends and working with stained glass.
What if we could change that energetic/emotional/internal experiI was at times an advocate for the ence? patient about medication and occasionally this can mean negotiat- I believe there are also people out ing a compromise on the medica- there already doing this using EFT tion but usually there is some kind and other therapies. of answer out there. So after many A good example might be the years I have found some ways work nausea and vomiting experienced and which ways dont! with chemotherapy used to treat cancers.
Whats the future?
Not every single patient that has For me it is increasing this awarechemotherapy will experience ness of medicines to EFT practitionnausea and vomiting. ers and other holistic practitioners. There already are well-established Much more detail can be found EFT practices out there to help at www.ukmas.co.uk including with such side effects and EFT can trainings, webinars and free rebe very successful in helping. sources so you can start to raise your awareness of this important In conclusion... area, as well as a specialised indi- Yes, we are chasing red herrings, vidualised query service available just be aware that you may be doaround medication. ing it too. One area that really interests me, and I would like to work with the EFT community on, is side effects of medication. We all know people that have suffered side-effects of medication but is generally only a small percentage of people that have a specific side-effect. And start to ask the question: Could this be the medicine? I think that will definitely lead to less red herrings.
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Freedom from dental fears

Having dealt with the fears of patients and the stress in the dental environment for nearly 25 years and also knowing that the prevalence of fear and stress continued despite how far the technology of dentistry had come to create a nearly pain-free dental experience; Dr Bressack believed that he had found the answer with EFT after attending an EFT Masters showcase. It is well known that the fear of dentists and/or dental procedures is a major factor in why many people avoid going for regular dental care. In many cases, they may only go during an emergency and may require pre-medication for those emergencies or for some, may even require drugs for routine dental care. The result can be detrimental to the person, not only in the possibility of them having more severe dental problems, but also escalating the negative emotions around their issues.
Dr Dennis Wayne Bressack graduated from Georgetown Dental School in Washington DC, in 1973. Although now retired, Dr Bressack who has always taken a holistic approach to his dentistry practice, has been passionate about finding a simple, natural, drug-free way for patients to reduce their dental fears, and a simple method for dentists and staff to reduce the stress present in the dental office.
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Dental Fear
Whether it be fear of the needle, fear of the sound and vibration of the drill, fear of the smells of the medicaments dentists use or even the fear of needing costly dental treatment; dental fears can have a longstanding and damaging negative effect on oral and general body health. The most common causes of these fears may have originated from negative childhood dental experiences, horror stories from friends and family, and media, particularly movies, television and books that depict dental treatment and dentistry in a negative light. Some of these fears may be the result of deeper emotional wounds caused by unrelated childhood abuse. These can then have a compound affect on the dentist and his staff who also live in a world of stress and potential anxiety due to these fearful patients who are often late for appointments, break appointments, take longer and are much more difficult to treat, or dont pay on time.
EFT as a simple, natural, drug-free way to reduce patients dental fear and relieve the stress of running a dental practice
To demonstrate the effectiveness of using EFT to reduce dental fears to dentists in particular, so that they can offer it as an additional option to their patients as well as using it for themselves to relieve the stresses of running a dental practice; Dr Bressack in conjunction with EFT master Andy Bryce created the Freedom from dental fears DVD set. The set allows you to watch four patients with fears or phobias about dentists and/ or dental treatments during individual one-hour EFT sessions with EFT Master Andy Bryce. It shows extremely well how EFT, especially when used by an expert, can help uncover & resolve long-lasting issues. This will go a long way towards giving dentists access to the elegance of EFT which may pave a way forward for EFT practitioners to be able to offer dental patients real freedom from their fears. The use of EFT to reduce dental fears and phobias is powerfully depicted in the 3-DVD set. You can see snippets of the DVDs and the results and transcripts of the sessions on the site. The set is available for purchase on the site as well. http://freedomfromdentalfears.com/
Dr. Dennis Wayne Bressack and EFT Master Andy Bryce Today, dentistry can offer a plethora of fear reducing techniques that can help the patient to be more relaxed before and during treatment. Earphones playing music, hypnosis, acupuncture, behaviour modification, pre-medication and conscious sedation are but a few of these modalities that meet the problem with varying degrees of success. Still, according to ADA statistics, 1/3 of the American population do not seek proper dental care due to fear.
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A UK STUDY:
Reducing anxiety in dental c) All the patients who agreed to try EFT (this was almost everyone) patients with EFT were given appointments which by Graham Temple included an extra 10 minutes to explain EFT further & administer EFT. INTRODUCTION In spite of all the many technologi- d) At that next appointment, pacal advances in dentistry, visits to tients were asked to rate their anxithe dentist still cause great anxiety on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 ety. It is estimated that 1 in 3 adults was total calm & 10 would be the suffers moderate to severe anxiety most anxious they could be. (SUD). when faced with dental treatment, e) Only patients who gave a ratwhilst in children the figure is ing of 6 or more were used for the similar. (British Dental Association, study, which consisted of 30 pa1995). tients. This anxiety tends to make dental f ) EFT was described to each patreatment more difficult, which only tient, followed by the application leads to further anxiety, as well as of EFT. The basic recipe was used being stressful, time consuming & initially, with variations later as apexhausting for the dentist & staff. A propriate, until the patient stated simple, rapid yet effective method that they did not need any more, of reducing dental anxiety would or 6 minutes had elapsed. Then anmake dental treatment so much other SUD rating was taken. more acceptable for all concerned. g) This was followed immediately AIMS & OBJECTIVES by the dental treatment. All patients The aim of this study was to deter- were informed that they could tap mine the effects of EFT on anxious on the points on their hands if they dental patients immediately prior felt it was necessary. to dental treatment. The objec- h) Following treatment the pative was to demonstrate that EFT tients were asked to comment on would be an effective & practical their experience. way of reducing anxiety in dental RESULTS patients. Total pre-EFT anxiety score 241 METHOD Average pre-EFT anxiety score 8 a) When patients were examined, those who required operative treat- Total post-EFT anxiety score 91 ment, such as fillings, extractions or Average post-EFT anxiety score 3 crown & bridge work, were asked if Greatest reduction 8 (2 cases) the thought of the proposed treatLowest reduction 2 (2 cases) ment caused them any anxiety.
b) Patients who stated that they Percentage reduction in anxiety to usually did feel anxious were asked 3 or less 72.6% if they would like to try out EFT. The Out of 30 patients, 100% process was explained briefly, usureported a reduction in ally as psychological acupressure.
DISCUSSION Although this study is quite a small one, & with many patients EFT was stopped at the designated time allowed, rather than carrying on with EFT to a successful conclusion, it does show that EFT reduced anxiety in all cases, with almost 3 out of 4 patients achieving a level of comfort & feeling of control that allowed them to cope really well with the dental work carried out. The overall reduction in anxiety is of great benefit not only to the patients, but the dentist & the whole dental team, as the provision of dentistry is easier, quicker & far less nerve-wracking for all concerned. It is important to note that, in this study, no patient reduced their score to zero. When having dental treatment, particularly invasive procedures such as an injection of local anaesthetic, it is understandable to have a small amount of apprehension, as long as it is small, & most importantly, allows the patient to feel relatively comfortable & in control. Approximately 80% of the patients stated that this was the case after EFT in this study. CONCLUSION As a Level 3 practitioner & trainer, I use EFT constantly, not only for my dental patients, but for myself & other clients who attend my therapy centre. I hope that this study will encourage other dentists & their staff to learn about EFT & its effectiveness in dentistry. Graham Temple - BDS, D.Clin. Hyp., LNCP T: +44 (0) 113 239 2543 E: contact@templepractice.com
anxiety.
www.templepractice.com LIFE
AAMET
Interview with an expert

by Fiona Holden
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A Balanced Perspective
Half an hour with Dr Anthony Sharkey
Dr. Anthony Sharkey (MB, Bch, BAO, Diploma in Child Health) is Irelands only medically qualified doctor specializing exclusively in the use of EFT for serious illness, specifically depression, anxiety disorders, panic attacks and phobias. He qualified in medicine from Trinity College in 1982. Since then he has continued to train and has qualified in a number of very potent healing modalities. These include Child Health, Kinesiology and NLP. His main modality is EFT in the context of his orthodox medical practice.
What stood out the most about EFT for you, that you continued to use it? When were you first introduced to EFT?
I came across EFT around the year 2000, about 11 years ago. A friend of my colleague Sean was doing TFT (Thought Field Therapy) at that time and getting great results. I was very cautious about anything that promised fast results. I had been using other techniques which had promised fast results but were not delivering as their marketing had suggested. My colleague Sean decided to use TFT on one of his clients who had a fear of walking over a pedestrian bridge on the Stillorgan by-pass in Dublin. After 45 minutes of doing TFT the stress levels of the client had reduced to zero. The client actually commented that he couldnt understand why he was actually attending Sean and why he had been so fearful of walking over a bridge. My friend Sean told me this story. I immediately bought Roger Callahans book Tapping the Healer Within. That is how I got started with EFT. It was hard to get training at the time. The training for TFT was so expensive and surrounded in a lot of mystery. About 6 years ago I bought Gary Craigs EFT dvds. I studied them and started to practice EFT. It just grew from there. One of the themes in my personal life is finding how to get the maximum results with the minimum effort. I have done all sorts of training in my life but my main aim is to heal the person as fast, as gently and as permanently as possible. That has always been my criteria. For me EFT is fast, gentle and permanent. I taught meditation for many years. Meditation is a tool for change a tool for transformation, including emotional transformation, changing negative thoughts and emotions. That is actually quite a slow process. EFT is so amazing and so fast. If I was to rank the tools for change that work for me - Meditation would be first and then EFT would be next on the list. That is huge for me to say that. 99% of clients who come to me for EFT are in some sort of emotional pain or feel stuck. They just want to get out of that pain and get on with their life.
What kind of response have you received from other GPs about the use of EFT as part of your practice?
I do not have much contact with other doctors. It is just the way my life has evolved really. I was involved in meditation for years and I stopped having a career in medicine for about 17 years. I would see the occasional private patient. I returned to Dublin in 2005 and currently spend my time teaching Meditation, practising as a MedicaI Doctor and an EFT practitioner. I dont have any contact with ordinary GPs to have that conversation. But I can tell you that most GPs arent that open to EFT.
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Why do you think that is?
I trained at the Meath hospital in Dublin in the 80s. Our training wasnt conducive to looking at alternatives. Thats one thing. I attended my 25 year class reunion a few years ago. There were 14 of us. Not one of them were into alternative medicine. I realized why that was the case. Some of them were specialists. They have spent 30 years studying their chosen speciality. All the others were in general practice. All have very busy practices. They can have up to 10,000 patients on their books. Actually when you qualify as a doctor you almost immediately have a large practice. A doctors practice within its own framework works. When I was talking with my friends I realized that they started to work immediately after they qualified in their mid-20s. And 25 years later, they are still working bloody hard and they have no need to look beyond what they are doing. So thats one explanation. anti-depressants. I have found people who come to me who are on anti-depressants are more difficult to treat. You get some movement in one session but it is much more difficult. Thats my personal opinion. When I hear someone is on anti-depressants I think this will be a bit trickier.
How often would you see a client?

That depends on the client. It could be weekly or fortnightly sessions. I tend to leave it up to the client. I dont have a preset sense of how often I will see a client. Thats an important point. I dont have a protocol that I am going to see this person weekly. Between the client and I, we decide what the optimal is. I always leave it up to the client. I aim to give the client a sense of a co-operative environment. So I will say quiet deliberately What is your sense of when we will see each other again?.They will say maybe a week or a fortnight. And I will say I think you are right. It is a little thing and it might seem trivial but it is so empowering for the client.
How have you incorporated EFT into your practice? If someone comes to you as a doctor do you treat them with your doctor hat on?
I advertise myself as a medically qualified EFT practitioner . I am presently the only medically qualified doctor in Ireland who specializes in EFT. It is a big loss for medics because EFT is so easy to learn. Medics could do an awful lot with EFT. Mostly I probably see what your typical EFT practitioner sees. I specialize in the treatment of Anxiety and Depression. That encompasses so much. I just do EFT sessions mostly working with clients who have emotional and psychological traumas typical anxiety, fears and phobias.
Have you come across any clients that come to you for treatment who have so much resistance to getting better that they are almost happier holding on to the Anxiety because it is their identity?
I get a sense from people whether or not they are committed to the Anxiety or not. The majority of people that I have worked with who have Anxiety (including fears and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, fear of the future..) want to get out of it. There may be a secondary gain. I might ask them Have you thought on some level that you are getting something out of this? Here are examples of 2 people who came to me recently with PTSD. One person had knocked a person down in a road traffic accident 12 months previously. She was in total shock when she came to my office. When we saw each other it was as if she had knocked that person down 10 minutes ago. She was trapped in this nightmare. She could hardly breathe in total shock. Another woman had witnessed an accident where a child died. She had attended a Traumatologist 20
If a client was on medication before they came to you, and you felt they didnt need to continue taking it would take them off that medication?
I would take them off it. I do take clients off antidepressants. At the same time I do prescribe antidepressants as well. There is a place for anti-depressants. Doctors are good at putting people on anti-depressants and not so good at taking them off
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times (without any improvement) before she came to me. EFT worked like it was bursting a bubble. It was so intense. 15 minutes later she wasnt in shock anymore. To go from extreme anxiety and so much emotional pain to resolution and peace in such a short space of time is powerful. She thought she was going mad. EFT gave her back her sanity. You cant put a price on that. EFT is very powerful and precise it really works.
tive. I worked with a client recently who had a fear of flying. It was all over in 40 minutes. This is not how people think about their problems. EFT is elegant you get maximum results for minimal effort.
Where is your practice?

My practice is in Dublin. I offer a free 15 minute telephone consultation where the person can establish if EFT is the right fit for them. There is no charge for this call. Additional info on Dr. Anthony Sharkey Dr. Anthony Sharkey qualified in Medicine from Trinity College Dublin in 1982. Three years after this he discovered Buddhism and decided to take a year off from his career to explore the teachings. This year lasted for 20 years. During this time he trained and was ordained into the Buddhist tradition and received the name Ratnabandhu. After Ordination, he lived in a semi monastic retreat centre for 3 years where he helped organize and teach intensive meditation retreats. In the early 1990s, he returned to Dublin where he helped establish the Dublin Meditation Centre and initiate several residential spiritual communities. Dr. Anthony Sharkey currently resides in Dublin and spends his time teaching meditation and yoga, running workshops on Abundance and practicing as a Medical Doctor. Practice: 14 Lower Pembroke Street in Dublin 2. Mobile: 086-2136125 Email: doc.sharkey@gmail.com First Session is 160 for 2 hours. Each other individual session is 90. Bundle of 3 sessions costs 210. Each session lasts 50 minutes.
How would you compare the basic underlying belief of traditional medicine to the EFT model that the basic model of traditional medicine is that the body needs medicine and or surgery to heal itself as oppose to the EFT model that an emotional trauma contributes greatly to disease in the body which is the underlying cause of the symptoms?
I think first and foremost the origin of physical disease will always be either; physical, mental or spiritual. That is what influences the manifestation of any disease. What orthodox medicine tends to do is concentrate on the physical. So you go to your doctor, you have a disease / illness process going on and basically you are given drugs or have surgery. But there is no treatment for psychological/ emotional and spiritual elements. EFT works on the psychological / emotional level. With a disease or illness there will either be a back ground of unresolved emotional pain, an emotional response to the disease or both. There is always some sort of emotionality associated with the disease either in the background or the response to the disease.
Where do you see the future of EFT moving forward?

I really feel that EFT practitioners have to really focus on marketing the benefits of EFT. It is such a powerful tool. It is counter intuitive because we have been taught that change takes a long time and that we have to do a lot of therapy. I have nothing against therapy but sometimes the trauma of everyday life can be so challenging. EFT is so simple and so effec-
Interview by
Fiona Holden
EFT Practitioner and Trainer,
www.eftireland.com
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EFT in the NHS

Jenny Vestey has been working in the field of energy based healing techniques since 1989. She specialises in Aromatherapy, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, Reiki and EFT. In 1991, she set up a complementary therapy service for the Dorset Cancer Centre at Poole Hospital (NHS Trust), offering patients a full range of holistic therapies to complement and support their medical care. She shares her experiences with us...
In 1995, four years after offering my complementary therapies, I was invited to set up a complementary therapy department at Poole Hospital in Dorset for the Oncology directorate, which is now known as The Dorset Cancer Centre. Poole has a large catchment area and over the years the cancer center has grown to meet the needs of a growing population; it comprises of a radiotherapy unit, an out-patients ward, two in-patients wards and a hospice. The complementary therapies offered are; aromatherapy hand and foot massage to both in and out patients, reflexology is given as a detox treatment after chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Indian Head Massage is also available. I run support groups, have set up funding for Yoga classes and having realised that certain areas were not being addressed have offered EFT since 2005. I use EFT to address both emotional and physical issues. At The Dorset Cancer Centre a patient is firstly confronted by the prognosis of a potentially life changing condition which can bring about many emotions such as guilt, anger, fear and denial. There is then the treatment itself. The patient may experience nausea, panic attacks and needle phobia. Finally at end of the treatment comes the implication of living life with cancer or as a cancer survivor. We have a counselling service within the department to support patients and address emotional issues; however within my own field I was looking for a tool to empower a patient experiencing these issues. I had studied hypnotherapy but found it lacked flexibility for what I had in mind. The use of any complementary therapy within an acute hospital setting needs to be adaptable. I have been fortunate in having forward thinking line managers who have always supported me in integrating complementary therapies into main stream medicine, so funding was found and I became an EFT level 3 practitioner. Referral is either via a member of staff or a patient making direct contact. Hourly sessions are booked for out patients; depending on the issue and outcome I may make further appointments. I will also do what I call first aid EFT; where in situations that need quick intervention, for example panic attacks, I will use the karate chop or the collar bone point. I cannot envisage a situation where I would not try EFT, though at times given the nature of the disease knowing the appropriate place where to tap may be difficult; for example with head, neck and breast cancers. Whatever the issue patients will invariable find it relaxes them and their anxiety levels subsequently drop, I have also used it with individuals facing death. After 5 years of working with EFT I am still amazed at the adaptability, efficacy and simplicity of the technique. To see patients move from a place of fear and pain to one of peace without the use of drugs and their side effects seems little short of miraculous.
http://broadstoneclinic.co.uk/
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Rapid pain relief in the surgical ward

Try it on everything, in every situation!
Years ago, as a soon to be RN I had been taking my own caseloads whilst on clinical placement. At that time one of my patients had two surgical drains in-situ. One drain had already been removed a couple of days earlier. The removal had apparently caused a great deal of discomfort and Jeff had screamed out. Jeff was understandably very worried about having the second drain removed. Also, on the afternoon that I had taken over Jeffs care the ward was short staffed and extremely busy. I therefore had very little time to dedicate to Jeff and the removal of the drain. At the beginning of the shift I told Jeff that his drain was due to come out that afternoon and suggested a strong analgesia be given an hour prior to the task. Jeff was only comfortable with taking acetaminophen, a very weak pain reliever that is not expected to even touch the pain involved. An hour later when I returned to remove the drain I asked Jeff if he had ever heard of EFT to which he replied that he had not. I explained that EFT was an effective system of addressing emotional and physical discomfort by tapping gently on various points. Jeff was very interested in acupuncture and the meridian system and was happy to try EFT.
AAMET
by Helen P Bressler
As mentioned above, the time allocated to Jeff was extremely limited and so I had to prioritize. We performed the setup by Jeff rubbing on his sore spot whilst I cleaned the drain area and removed the stitch holding the drain tube in-situ. I then asked Jeff to tap on the collar bone point. It must be highlighted that no words were used, either during the setup or with Jeff tapping on his collar bone point. As Jeff lay on his side tapping on his collarbone point I removed the drain, cleaned the wound and redressed the area. Jeff had flinched slightly but was amazed that the drain had come out with only minimal discomfort.
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therapy review
This concept is sometimes used in conventional medicine, for example, the stimulant Ritalin is used to treat patients with ADHD, or small doses of allergens such as pollen are sometimes used to desensitise allergic patients. However, one major difference with homeopathic medicines is that substances are used in ultra high dilutions, which makes them non-toxic.
Its origins
The principle of treating like with like dates back to Hippocrates (460-377BC) but in its current form, homeopathy has been widely used worldwide for more than 200 years. It was discovered by a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, who, shocked with the harsh medical practises of the day (which included blood-letting, purging and the use of poisons such as arsenic), looked for a way to reduce the damaging side-effects associated with medical treatment. He began experimenting on himself and a group of healthy volunteers, giving smaller and smaller medicinal doses, and found that as well as reducing toxicity, the medicines actually appeared to be more effective the lower the dose. He also observed that symptoms caused by toxic medicines such as mercury, were similar to those of the diseases they were being used to treat e.g. syphilis, which led to the principle he described as like cures like. Hahnemann went on to document his work, and his texts formed the foundations of homeopathic medicine as it is practised today. A BBC Radio 4 documentary aired in December 2010 described Hahnemann as a medical pioneer who worked tirelessly to improve medical practice, insisting that medicines were tested before use.
HOMEOPATHY
by Kay Gire
A quick glance
Why homeopathy?
I dont know about you, but I have always wondered what homeopathy is all about and where, in the intergrative healing paradigm, it fits in. As the theme of this edition of AAMET Life magazine is all about integrative approaches, I felt it to be the perfect time to have a look at homeopathy. Another reason for this would be to find out how, if at all, the new EU legislation and the CAP code affects individuals involved in homeopathy and especially since the Advertising Standards Authoritys (ASA) announcement that it is to set up a project to look into the evidence base for the efficacy of homeopathic medicine.
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What is homeopathy?
According to the Society of Homeopaths homeopathy is a system of medicine which involves treating the individual with highly diluted substances, given in either tablet or liquid form, with the aim of triggering the bodys natural system of healing. A homeopath will prescribe the most appropriate remedy based on the patients unique experience of their symptoms.
Like with like

Homeopathy is based on the principle that you can treat like with like, that is, a substance which causes symptoms when taken in large doses, can be used in small amounts to treat those same symptoms. For example, drinking too much coffee can cause sleeplessness and agitation, so according to this principle, when made into the homeopathic remedy Coffea, it could be used to treat people with these symptoms.
Homeopathy has been available on the NHS since 1948
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The science
Homeopathic medicines (which homeopaths call remedies) are prepared by specialist pharmacies using a careful process of dilution and succussion (a specific form of vigorous shaking). As yet, science has not been able to explain the mechanism of action of ultra high dilutions in the body, but laboratory experiments have repeatedly demonstrated that homeopathically prepared substances cause biological effects. For example, the hormone thyroxine prepared as a homeopathic 30C dilution can slow down the process of metamorphosis of tadpoles into frogs. One theory is that during the production of a homeopathic medicine, the dilution and agitation processes cause an interaction between the original material (e.g. a plant such as Belladonna) and the water and alcohol it is mixed with. This creates tiny new structures (nanostructures) which are the active ingredient and remain present even when the sample has been diluted many, many times.
The importance of succussion

The manufacture of homeopathic medicines involves two processes serial dilution and succussion (succussion = a specific form of vigorous agitation). The raw extracts (from plants or animals) or triturations (from minerals and salts) are made into a tincture with alcohol. This is then diluted with water and succussed many times, often to the point where we would expect there to be no molecules of the original substance left. Researchers believe that the succussion is an essential component in creating biologically effective samples, so experiments investigating ultrahigh dilutions always use succussed samples. Some experiments even compare diluted and succussed samples to samples that have been diluted to the same level but not succussed, as well as other controls. In the wording used by researchers in this field, the fact that a sample has been succussed is therefore often implied rather than being stated clearly e.g. high dilution thyroxine in the frog experiments actually means thyroxine that has been diluted and succussed.
What happens when you see a homeopath?

When you see a homeopath its their job to get a thorough understanding of your health and the exact symptoms you are experiencing, so that they can find a homeopathic remedy which matches you and your symptoms. During this confidential, in-depth case-taking process your homeopath will want to know precise details of your current illness, but will also consider other aspects of your health including your past medical history, diet, lifestyle and personality.
Holistic
You will be asked many questions and some of them will seem strange for those not used to homeopathy. The practitioner is building up a picture of your unique make up, a bit like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Homeopathy is a holistic medicine and as such takes into account all aspects of the individual and their symptoms before making a prescription. This first consultation will usually take between one and two hours, depending on the practitioner.
Follow-ups
The first follow up consultation will usually be around four weeks after the first prescription, although in some cases it may be sooner. The session will be shorter, and the homeopath will ask about changes that have occurred, using their detailed notes as a reference point, before deciding on the next course of treatment. The number of consultations needed is difficult to predict it depends on a number of factors such as the age of the patient, how long the symptoms have been going on and their individual response to the prescription.
AAMET
LIFE
What is meant by ultrahigh dilutions?

Scientists frequently refer to homeopathic medicines as being diluted beyond Avogadros number. This means that they have been diluted beyond 10(-23) the final concentration at which molecules of the original substance would still be present. Confusingly several different expressions are used to refer to dilutions beyond this point: high dilutions, ultrahigh dilutions, ultramolecular dilutions and UHDs; in homeopathic language they may also be referred to as high potencies. Homeopathic medicines of the strength 12c and above are in this ultramolecular range. This is why homeopathy attracts such controversy, with sceptics saying that homeopathic medicines are nothing but water. There are several different theories suggesting how homeopathic medicines work, but more importantly experiments have already demonstrated that ultrahigh dilutions can have biological effects and do differ from water.
There are many misconceptions and misunderstandings about homeopathy and homeopathic medicine
Biological effects of ultrahigh dilutions

Research on ultrahigh dilutions began in the 1950s, but since the mid-1990s there has been an increase in both the number and quality of published studies. A rigorous systematic review published in 2007 assessed the entire in vitro evidence base for effects of high potency homeopathic medicines; 67 experiments published in 75 publications were evaluated and 75% of these found that ultrahigh dilutions have effects. Importantly, these positive results were seen even in high quality experiments. When experiments were repeated, the same results were achieved in nearly all cases. Systematic review = a summary of the total research evidence available on a particular subject, designed to provide more accurate information than single studies. REF: Witt CM, Bluth M, Albrecht H, et al. The in vitro evidence for an effect of high homeopathic potencies a systematic review of the literature. Complement Ther Med, 2007; 15: 128-138
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=17544864
Homeopathic medicines are not just water

Experimental results from many different independent laboratories have confirmed that there are physical differences between homeopathically prepared samples and control samples. (Control = provides a basis for comparison in a trial e.g. an established treatment or inactive dummy treatment & Samples such as plain water or other solvents) These differences can be measured using scientific techniques such as: Calorimetry - measuring the amount of heat given off by a sample. Spectroscopy - measuring how a substance absorbs, emits or scatters electromagnetic radiation.
Thermoluminescence - the amount of light produced by a sample when it is heated (due to the release of stored energy) can also be measured. Experiments of this kind demonstrate that the homeopathic preparation process (serial dilution and violent agitation) creates samples that have specific physical properties, despite the fact that they do not contain molecules. They do not tell us how homeopathic medicines interact with the living body, but the more we learn about the properties of these ultrahigh dilutions in the laboratory, the closer we can come to understanding exactly how homeopathic medicines work in practice. REF: http://www.homeopathy-soh.org/research/evidence-base-for-homeopathy-2/ basic-science/
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therapy review
The placebo issue
The placebo effect can be described as a positive change seen after medical treatment which is caused solely by the patients psychological response to being given the treatment (improvement occurs because the patient expects to get better). Placebo effects are associated with all medical interventions. Placebo-controlled trials which directly compare an experimental treatment with an inactive dummy treatment have therefore become a routine part of medical research in order to discover whether new treatments have any real clinical effects above and beyond placebo. Results from numerous high quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and several systematic reviews have shown that homeopathic medicines have a clinical effect above and beyond placebo (see Clinical trials on www.homeopathy-soh. org for more information). Homeopathic treatment will also have a placebo effect, but this should not be confused with its indirect effects such as the therapeutic effect of the homeopathic consultation. Treatment by a homeopath gives patients the opportunity to explore their health problems thoroughly during one-to-one consultations with their practitioner. Some sceptics suggest that this process initiates a placebo effect responsible for much of the clinical results seen with homeopathic treatment, but a more accurate description would be that the homeopathic consultation has a therapeutic effect. If a patient treated by a psychologist improved, this would be correctly described as a therapeutic effect of the treatment not a placebo effect. The homeopathic consultation is clearly different from a psychotherapy consultation, but it does appear to have a strong therapeutic effect of great value to patients. A pragmatic trial is currently investigating the contribution the consultation process makes to the overall clinical effects of homeopathic treatment. See www.homeopathy-soh.org for more details.
Homeopathy and the CAP code

The Society of Homeopaths welcomed the Advertising Standards Authoritys (ASA) announcement that it is to set up a project to look into the evidence base for the efficacy of homeopathic medicine. The Society, the UKs largest regulator of homeopaths, is looking forward to working with the ASA and will be submitting the well established and growing body of research evidence that shows homeopathy to be a safe, clinically-effective and cost-effective option. Zofia Dymitr, chairwoman of the Society, said: We are delighted that the ASA have decided to take an evidenced-based look at Homeopathy. For a number of years now it has been difficult to advise our members on issues like wording for adverts because the ASAs position has been inconsistent. We look forward to working with the ASA to clarify the facts around homeopathy and, once the ASA has concluded its work, to help our members to share the knowledge of their services with potential consumers in the full confidence of the ASA just like any other business or service provider. Homeopathy is a system of medicine which is based on treating the individual with highly diluted substances given in tablet or liquid form, which triggers the bodys natural system of healing. A homeopath will prescribe the most appropriate remedy based on the patients unique experience of their symptoms The Society of Homeopaths was established in 1978, and is the largest body of professional homeopaths in the UK. Their Registered Members (RSHoms) are qualified, registered and fully insured and have agreed to practise in accordance with the Societys Code of Ethics & Practice.
Meet a professional homeopath

Angela Galley is a fully qualified and registered practitioner of homeopathic medicine. She has a First Class Honours Degree in Homeopathic Medicine from the University of Central Lancashire in Preston and is a registered member of the Society of Homeopaths, the largest organisation registering professional homeopaths in the UK. Her interest in homeopathy began when she was faced with the prospect of a major operation. Keen to avoid surgery, she tried homeopathy. It cured her problem and shes been amazed at homeopathys deep and lasting healing ever since. From her Leyland practice in Lancashire, she offers treatments for a wide range of physical and emotional conditions to both adults and children, having a special interest in working with women who suffer from health problems such as PMT, symptoms of menopause, painful, heavy, irregular or absent periods, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, infertility, illness during pregnancy, support through childbirth and post-natal depression. If you would like to find out more about homeopathy and the consultation process from Angela, she can be contacted on 01772 457355.
http://www.homeopathylancashire.co.uk/
For more about homeopathy and homeopaths in your area:
http://www.homeopathy-soh.org/
AAMET
LIFE
event report
AAMET Trainers Conference & AGM

It was wonderful to put names to faces and meet other like-minded people with similar intentions and goals. Personally speaking, I can only hope and pray that more of these meetings take place and the AAMET community will continue to grow and grow and bring us all together into the professional body that we are proud to be a part of. For full details of the events please visit:
www.aamet.org
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AAMET
by Jane Unsworth
www.abcsimpleas.co.uk
LIFE
AAMET TRAINERS CONFERENCE FRIDAY 20TH MAY SUTTON COLDFIELD

The meeting opened with Helena Fone (AAMET Chairperson) inviting absolute honesty from those that attended. The day consisted of lively discussions with lots of points being covered. It was very interactive with the Trainers themselves offering valuable suggestions. The overall feedback from all who attended the event was enthusiastically positive!
AGM:
AAMET ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SATURDAY 21ST MAY 6pm RAMADA HOTEL SUTTON COLDFIELD

Helena welcomed all to the meeting and spoke of the challenges over the last 18-mths since the change of hands with AAMET and all that the organisation is aiming to achieve now, as its changing face moving from being a mere Listing (website) for members into an authoritative body raising standards of practice and training.
AGENDA
Introductions and talk about the future of AAMET Training Review of the days agenda. Any additional topics? What are the responsibilities of an AAMET Trainer? What does it mean when you sign that certificate? Role-playing scenarios when teaching EFT How EFT Training is delivered in local areas Difficulties/challenges in delivering training The role of Powerpoint Presentations in training Live demonstrations - v - showing video demonstrations What other information do trainers include in courses that is not in the AAMET Syllabus? Dealing with challenging students Language problems Marketing How do trainers assess their students?
AGENDA
Presentation of Annual Reports Chair Communications Website support Ethics Training Election of auditor Election of current Committee members Amendments to statute Motions received Voting procedures Length of office Expenses Donations Closing remarks
AAMET
LIFE
www.aamet.org

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THE MAGAZINE OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF MERIDIAN ENERGY TECHNIQUES

Proud to be your Association!

Helena x (AAMET Chairperson)

advertising Communications Team comms@aamet.org AAMET info@aamet.org www.aamet.org

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

INTEGRATIVE HEALTH SOLUTIONS

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

How to improve your rate of success

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

EFT around the world series

Aloha from Hawaii

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

EFT around the world series

Two Tsunamis EFT and Aloha

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

I choose to invite aloha fully into my heart

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

EFT around the world series

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

Herbal remedies banned as new EU rules take effect

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org 13

How is it affecting Medical Herbalism now?

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

The New Advertising Standard Authority CAP Code

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org 15

Integrative Health Solutions

Medicine, could it be a hidden guide?

Interview with an expert

Half an hour with Dr Anthony Sharkey

Freedom from Dental Fears

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

DOSSIER Integrative health solutions

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

DOSSIER Integrative health solutions

My first experience of EFT

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org 21

DOSSIER Integrative health solutions

best interest of the client.

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

Whats the future?

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org 23

DOSSIER Integrative health solutions

Freedom from dental fears

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

DOSSIER Integrative health solutions

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

DOSSIER Integrative health solutions

Interview with an expert

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

Half an hour with Dr Anthony Sharkey

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org 29

DOSSIER Integrative health solutions

How often would you see a client?

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

Where is your practice?

Where do you see the future of EFT moving forward?

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org 31

DOSSIER Integrative health solutions

EFT in the NHS

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org

Rapid pain relief in the surgical ward

SUMMER 2011 www.aamet.org 33