Western science recognizes the inextricable link between the brain and the body. For more than half a century, conventional medicine has known that what we think changes our chemistry, which then affects our body. The basic concepts of Stress and Stress Management follow these lines. Newer research fields such as Psychoneuroimmunology are the result of growing attempts to link the connection between disease, health and our thinking.

The body directly translates what we think and feel. Chemical changes occur in the brain as a result of perception. Thus, very literally, what you think becomes what you are. In addition, your body remembers. Muscles remember training. Muscles also remember trauma, and that remembrance can be from either physical or emotional trauma.

But where do the thoughts or programs of perception come from? If you think simply from the brain, guess again. There are energetic systems which directly link to the body and interface with the body/mind connection. For example, the Chinese recognized the Meridian systems 6,000 years ago as an integral agent of health.

In recent years, there has been a focus of understanding and applying the concepts of physics, energy, and thought. For example, several leading research studies are illustrating the power of one's intention and positive thinking on cancer and AIDS patients. From a scientific standpoint, it is becoming abundantly clear that what we think, both toward others and ourselves has a direct impact on the physical plane.

Why is this so? To understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings and reality, it is important to bring in the concept of what Albert Einstein called “subtle energy” systems of the body. What we think of as matter is simply energetic patterns frozen in time. It is also important to bear in mind that matter can be a particle or wave. It depends on the way we measure (observe) it. In this framework, emotions are believed to result from the influence of electromagnetic energy created by our thoughts and the electrical and chemical changes that occur within our body.

Now, how can working with “energy” or energy systems affect our emotional life? The term ‘thought field therapies’ has been applied to a growing body of approaches to healing. Thought field therapies are based on an understanding of quantum effects, energy and the meridian systems of the body. Thought field therapies address the ways thought energy overlap with the physical, and keep us in “thinking loops.”

The application of energy medicine to conventional treatments is a blooming field. One example has been termed meridian based psychotherapy, or simply Energy Psychology. This emerging family has its origins from disciplines that include meridian based healing techniques (such as acupuncture and acupressure), Applied and Clinical Kinesiology, and Rapid Eye Movement Desensitization. The treatments are designed to clear unwanted beliefs through incorporating “energy medicine” with psychological foundations. More importantly, addressing psychological distress through energetic means appears to transform negative beliefs and trauma-based reactions faster than traditional counseling techniques.

The use of acupressure or acupoint stimulation in connection with psychological distress is based on the work of three key figures. George Goodheart (1975), John Diamond (1978), and Roger Callahan (1983) each provided some of the important foundational work for energy field therapies. George Goodheart was a Chiropractic physician who developed Behavioral Kinesiology. John Diamond’s background was in psychiatric medicine. Diamond recognized the importance of using affirmations in conjunction with tapping (or meridian stimulation) to clear psychological distress. Roger Callahan, a psychologist, advanced these works with Thought Field Therapy, which was marketed as a form of psychotherapy in the 1990s. Subsequently, there have been many offshoots from this original work, such as: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT); Be Set Free Fast (BSFF); Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT); Individualized Energy Psychotherapy, and Emotional Self-Management (ESM). Part of this expansion is due to advances in understanding how thought and energy work within the systems of memory in the mind/body.

In 1995, Gary Craig developed Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Part of his mission was to simplify the work of Roger Callahan, as well as bring EFT techniques to the general public. EFT can be learned by anyone! It is simple, fast, and effective treatment for a wide variety of psycho-energetic disturbances. It can be used in the recovery of previous trauma, out-dated belief systems, and transcend memory that is still held in the body. EFT can be used easily and effectively with any other treatment modality to aid in overall efficiency.

Conventionally speaking, we know that you cannot separate the body from the mind. If the body is sick, the mind will be affected. If the mind is sick, the body will show symptoms. Science is recognizing the inextricable link between the brain and the body. The body directly translates what we think and what we feel. Chemical changes occur in the brain based on our perceptions. The cells of the body will remember things that the brain may choose to ignore. Our body remembers training and trauma, which can be stored in our muscles as well as other subtle energy systems. By addressing the energetic of thought and thought forms, we can alter thinking patterns that are not serving us in healthy ways. In addition, by addressing thought energy, we directly affect our physical health.

There are a number of ways anyone can learn these valuable techniques. A great deal of information can be found on the Internet. Two notable sites are www.emofree.com and www.tat-intl.com, both of which include simple step-by-step processes for releasing emotional distress.

Consider addressing the subtle energies and potential blocks when undergoing any form of healing. Energy treatments are non-invasive and do not interfere with conventional treatments. In fact, many times addressing energy systems may significantly contribute to whatever healing modality you are currently using.

Remember the prediction of ages past: “As the heart thinketh, so shall ye be.” If you shape your thinking and feeling in directions that serve your life, your life will serve you in miraculous ways.