EP.348/ Why I love tapping for nervous system regulation (and how that can help manage endometriosis)
This one is a super quick episode today, as I didn’t want to do another replay, but also I don’t have the time at present to continue with our series on pain and nutrients, as those episodes take about a day to research and write up. So, today I want to talk about something that I’ve been discussing with two clients lately, and it occurred to me, that you might benefit as well.
Regulating the nervous system and our stress response can have a profound and positive impact on our endometriosis pain levels and our energy levels (and of course, our stress levels and mental health). I won’t go into the science of it here, because I have other episodes on this and this is supposed to be a quick episode, but in short, our cortisol levels and our stress response don’t just influence our experience of stress, but our entire sleep-wake cycle and energy levels over the day. They also influence our pain signals and can turn up the volume on pain.
If you want to learn more about this, I’ve linked to two previous episodes in the show notes.
Now there are of course tried and tested methods which we know can help regulate the nervous system and can help us with recovery in terms of energy, burnt out and pain, such as meditation and yoga.
But here are a few issues I’ve noticed with those -
A lot of my clients have ADHD, and struggle with meditation (btw, if you want to learn about the link between endo and ADHD, I’ve linked to a few episodes in the show notes).
Many of my clients have EDS and cannot do yoga because it causes them more issues with their joint stability (that’s not the case for everyone, and it’s important to work with an EDS-versed physio to work out how best to exercise for your body).
Finally, many of my clients have a history of trauma, whether that’s childhood trauma, physical trauma or medical trauma. And whilst these methods are truly so helpful and again, are evidenced based, I find that these clients need a lot more to regulate their nervous and help them through recovery.
So, whilst I do use much longer term and deeper methods and programmes, an easy, accessible method for regulating your nervous system over time and in the moment, is tapping, also know as the Emotional Freedom Technique.
Tapping, to me, is almost like an active meditation. The process includes tapping certain points on your body and face, whilst normally repeating certain statements that may relate to the issue you’re trying to work on i.e. your stress levels, your pain levels, insomnia, etc.
Now the research is actually pretty fascinating.
A study of 270,461 participants found that just one session of tapping reduced stress levels by 31% and anxiety levels by 29%. A session is typically 10 minutes.
Another randomised, controlled trial showed a 43% reduction in cortisol after a 60 minute tapping session.
And for those of you affected by trauma, another study showed that 6 weeks of tapping reduced PTSD symptoms by 90%.
And for those of us who suffer with depression, which is very common with endo, a meta-analysis of 20 studies found that tapping led to an average 41% reduction in depression symptoms.
Finally, brain scans showed that 76% of people treated with EFT tapping experienced complete remission from anxiety symptoms after 4 weeks of treatment.
So, how do you start tapping and what does it entail? I am sure there are many other apps and guides out there, but I used The Tapping Solution app - and I have no monetary links with these guys, they haven’t gifted me the app, it’s just something I found myself years ago when I was looking into treatments for my clients. Anyway, this is a paid app. But on their website, they actually have a lot of free tapping videos you can use if you don’t have the budget to buy the app, and they also have a free trial period too. They also have programmes, masterclasses and books on various issues like pain, anxiety, etc. The app is £92.99 for the year, so not the cheapest, or £7.99 per month.
Most sessions are about 10 minutes long, and you can use them in the moment, when you’re experiencing anxiety, a low mood, pain flare, etc. but you can create a daily habit, for best results in the long term.
Okay, so that’s it for today! I hope you have found this episode useful and if you try tapping, please reach out and let me know how you get on with it!
Show notes
Nervous system and endo/energy
https://www.theendobellycoach.com/podcast/christie-uipi-curable
https://www.theendobellycoach.com/podcast/endo-pain-vagus-nerve
https://www.theendobellycoach.com/podcast/tired-all-the-time-hpa-axis-dysfunction-and-endo
ADHD
https://www.theendobellycoach.com/podcast/endo-adhd-link
EDS
https://www.theendobellycoach.com/podcast/hypermobile-eds-endo-linda-bluestein
https://www.theendobellycoach.com/podcast/endo-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-connection
Tapping studies
https://www.thetappingsolution.com/science-research/
The Tapping Solution tools
https://www.thetappingsolution.com/free-tapping-meditations/
https://www.thetappingsolution.com/store/
Need more help or want to learn how to work with me?
Free resources:
This podcast!
Ways to work with me:
This EndoLife, It Starts with Breakfast digital cookbook
Masterclasses in endo nutrition, surgery prep and recovery and pain relief
Live and Thrive with Endo: The Foundations DIY course
One to one coaching info and application
This episode is sponsored by BeYou Cramp Relief Patches. Soothe period cramps the natural way with these 100% natural and discreet menthol and eucalyptus oil stick on patches. Click here to find out more and to shop: https://beyouonline.co.uk/pages/how-it-works
Produced by Chris Robson