Tapping for Birth

The origins of tapping

Have you ever wondering where this thing called ‘tapping’ came from? 

It’s derived from one of the original forms of ‘energy psychology’: unique therapies that combine ancient healing practices with modern psychological techniques.

Tapping has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine, which dates back thousands of years and is a powerful system of healing. The belief is that the body’s energy, or “qi,” flows through channels in the body called meridians. When this energy is blocked or disrupted, illness and emotional distress occurs.

Tapping takes this ancient belief a step further by recognising that emotions can also disrupt the body’s energy flow. By tapping on specific meridian points while focusing on a particular emotional issue, balance can be restored to the body’s energy system and emotional distress alleviated.

One of the most fascinating aspects of tapping is its ability to work quickly and effectively. While traditional talk therapy and medical treatments can take months or even years to produce results, tapping often provides relief in just a few minutes.

Tapping is so effective because the root cause of the issue is targeted – the disruption in the body’s energy system – rather than just treating the symptoms.

Tapping and the Nervous System

We know that tapping is a powerful tool for managing emotions, stress, anxiety, and trauma. But why does it work like that? 

Along with everything it does for our physical health, the nervous system plays a critical role in our ability to manage stress and emotions. When the nervous system is out of balance, we feel out of balance. Life doesn’t feel good. We over-react or under-respond to the world around us. Anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and autoimmune disorders are more likely to affect us. Relationships suffer, because the nervous system also regulates our social engagement system, which involves everything from our tone of voice, to our ability to hear and be present with others. The nervous system impacts every facet of our lives. 

Tapping Calms the Amygdala

The amygdala is the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions, including fear and anxiety. When we experience a stressful or traumatic event, the amygdala becomes activated, leading to the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones trigger the body’s “fight or flight” response, which prepares us to respond to a threat.

However, when the amygdala is constantly activated, it can lead to chronic stress and anxiety. Tapping has been shown to calm the amygdala and reduce the release of stress hormones. This helps to regulate the nervous system and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.

Tapping Promotes Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for regulating the body’s “rest and digest” response. It helps to calm the body down after a stressful event and promotes relaxation and healing. When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, the heart rate slows, blood pressure decreases, and breathing becomes slower and deeper.

Research has shown that tapping promotes parasympathetic nervous system activity, helping to regulate the body’s stress response and promote healing. Studies have shown that participants who received tapping therapy showed increased heart rate variability, which is a measure of parasympathetic nervous system activity.

Tapping Reduces the Effects of Trauma

Trauma can have a profound impact on the nervous system, leading to chronic stress, anxiety, and even physical health issues. Tapping has been shown to be an effective tool for reducing the effects of trauma on the nervous system.

Extensive research has been done on the use of tapping with trauma, including significant reduction in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Tapping has also found to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in women who had experienced childhood trauma – we know how profoundly anxiety and depression can impact the childbearing continuum. In fact, the effectiveness of tapping on trauma (both acute and complex) is one of the most-studied area of tapping research. 

Tapping Helps to Regulate the Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve is one of the longest nerves in the body and plays a critical role in regulating the nervous system. It helps to control the heart rate, breathing, digestion, and immune system. When the vagus nerve is functioning properly, it helps to promote relaxation and healing.

One of the ways that tapping works is because of the way the vagus nerve is attuned to all the somatic memories that are stored in our neural networks. As those traumas and cellular memories are transformed, the vagus nerve will accordingly have different responses to the world around you. Tapping has also been shown to help regulate the vagus nerve directly, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. Participants who received tapping therapy showed increased vagal tone, which is a measure of vagus nerve activity, suggesting that tapping may help to regulate the nervous system.

Promoting a sense of safety

One of the most powerful ways tapping can make a difference in people’s lives is in increasing their sense of inner safety. The nervous system relies on a sense of safety to be able to function optimally, and one of the hallmarks of both trauma and nervous system dysregulation is a sense of being ‘unsafe’ in the world. Feeling safe, and gaining self-compassion, are key aspects to healing and are fundamental to using the tapping. 

A balanced nervous system brings a calm mind, a peaceful heart, and a powerful ability to respond to the world around you