Emotional Freedom Techniques

I've been reading about "Emotional Freedom Techniques" (EFT) - an emotional version of acupuncture except needles aren't necessary. Instead, you stimulate well established energy meridian points on your body by tapping on them with your fingertips.

According to EFT:

"The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system."

And because our physical pains and diseases are so obviously connected with our emotions:

"Our unresolved negative emotions are major contributors to most physical pains and diseases."

I am sceptical of some the claims, but the last statement about "unresolved negative emotions" rang true.


Here's a video about EFT:

The acupuncturist and the dentist

On February 4th I had taken three tegretol tablets starting in the afternoon as soon as the doctor had given the go ahead to come off the Lyrica. So by the next day, I think that increased dose was already improving things in that the attacks, though still occurring, were not sustained/repeated spasms and not as violent. I actually ate (more like gulped without letting it touch the front of my mouth or tongue) a bowl of porridge in the morning without too much pain. And I was managing to drink easier - all I had been able to drink all the day before was two cups of warm milk - couldn't manage anymore, so was quite dehydrated as well.

So I am already feeling a little better on February 5th as I sit in the waiting room of the acupuncturist with about four other people. It is clear from all the wall charts that this person is not just an acupuncturist - he also practices chiropractic, kinesiology, natural medicine and clinical nutrition forms of health care. Altogether - a holistic natural health care.

I guess because this was the first meeting with the acupuncturist, there were no needles - just tests. He said he couldn't cure the TN 'coz I'd had it so long, but he thought he could alleviate it. He thought one problem might be an uneven bite so he asked me to go for a "bite test" with a dentist first. So no relief - in fact aggravation 'coz during the consultation I realised that I still couldn't talk without causing the pain - and he asked me to bite on a stick - and wow!! did that hurt.

Took me awhile to calm down when I got back home. Was still shaky - part of the problem was I had very little and only intermittent sleep the night before - which I later realised was probably the withdrawal symptoms of coming off the Lyrica.

The next day I went to see the dentist. An interesting "holistic" sort of dentist - the first question he asked me was - what was I feeling guilty about or not communicating. He said it was time to let it go and that we punished ourselves far too much. Interesting thought that connected with my friend's comment about "unresolved issues". But I thought that all my issues had been resolved. I now had a new love in my life - someone with whom I shared so many interests and who was a really good friend as well as a lover.

The dentist pressed his finger against my jaw joint and asked me to open my jaw. Bolts of lightening shot through my head. I sat up in the dentists' chair and held my head, panting short breaths through my mouth, tears in my eyes. After a minute they subsided and slowly I relaxed again. He then attended to making the mold for the orthodontic splint.

For the next week or so, the acupuncturist or "natural health care specialist" increased the number of visits. Finally, February 15 was the day for real serious treatment - but not pins. Instead his female assistant used a laser on the same points - temple, eyes, left ankle, wrists, ear lobe and tip. Not sure why I get laser rather than pins - but if it works, who cares?

Unresolved issues

Today I made a booking to see a neurologist - finally. The appointment is for February 28. Should have done this a long time ago. But before we get to that, I was telling the story of how it all started.

So, back in October 2006 when I first learned that I had TN, after a week or so, the pains went away again. And so once more I didn't make a big fuss about it when I saw the doctor for my regular check-up. Big mistake. But you feel rather stupid saying "Well, I had this pain that was triggered by a drop of water hitting my nose, but it has gone now".

Somehow, you feel awkward telling anyone about this excruciating pain that has no apparent external cause, because you feel as if they're going to look at you as if you're crazy. You feel as if they're saying "Yes - it's all in your head - maybe you should see a psychiatrist instead of a doctor".

I have often wondered how close to the truth this is. At the end of 2006, a colleague and good friend came to visit. I was telling him about my facial pains one day and he commented "Unresolved issues mate" (he is Australian). His point was that many of our physical health problems have their origins in mental and emotional states. His theory for these pains of mine was that I had unresolved issues that must be worked through before I could hope to get any release from the pain. Of course, he knew that I was going through a marriage break-up at the time - so one can see how he would arrive at that conclusion.

Strange thing is - that is exactly how it seemed to play out. By December, my wife and I had agreed an amicable separation. And the pains stopped ... or so I thought.