TWR for Anxiety and Chronic Pain

​In the interest of exploring a variety of methods of self care, I came across the field of energy psychology.
 
Energy psychology utilizes various approaches that focus on the mind-body connections to improve overall well being. Some of the reported benefits include a decrease in chronic pain, improvement in anxiety, a decrease in distressing symptoms, to name a few.
 
Dr. Daniel Benor, a pioneer in the field of energy psychology, teaches a technique called Transformative Wholistic Reintegration (TWR).  Combining tapping with some basic principles of cognitive behavioural therapy, Dr. Benor claims his method is effective, easy to learn and does not require lengthy sessions. He considers TWR a means of self healing.
 
TWR involves a technique that uses tapping on alternate sides of the body while focusing on what is bothering you. Physical symptoms are identified, followed by possible emotional reasons. This is verbalized and followed with a positive statement. The theory behind adding the positive statement is based on the common psychological belief that when you take a negative issue and combine it with a positive statement, the positive will counteract the negative. The use of tapping on alternate sides of the body has similar effects to EMDR (discussed in the last blog entry). Combined, the approach is quick, and can help with the clearing of emotions on a deep level. Dr. Benor provides a demonstration on You Tube if you would like to see the technique and learn more about the approach.
 
It is easy to be sceptical about techniques that seem so simple yet claim to offer so much. The beauty of this one is there is no harm in trying it, and can be done in the comfort of your own home. It’s definitely worth a try.