Can mental health affect physical health? How EFT can help

In today’s fast-paced world, many people are beginning to recognise the deep connection between mental and physical health.

For years, our culture has largely treated these two aspects of well-being as separate entities, but research in epigenetics and mind-body medicine reveals otherwise. The truth is, what happens in our minds can deeply impact our bodies.

Here, we'll explore how somatic interventions like EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), derived from acupuncture and modern psychology, can support holistic healing.

The mind-body connection

The idea that mental health and physical health are linked is not new. However, it’s often misunderstood. The belief that stress, anxiety, and emotional trauma can be "mental" issues without affecting the body is still prevalent. Yet, as experts like Dr Peter Levine have shown in their work on trauma, the body holds onto emotional experiences and manifests them as physical symptoms.

For example, chronic pain, digestive issues, or persistent fatigue may stem from unresolved emotional distress. This is why some people suffer from physical ailments despite having no clear medical diagnosis — because the root cause lies in emotional or mental trauma that hasn’t been addressed.

The role of epigenetics

Epigenetics is the study of how behaviours and environment can cause changes in the way genes work. It has shown that factors such as chronic stress and emotional trauma can influence gene expression, affecting our physical health. For instance, prolonged stress can lead to inflammation, which is linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.

This emerging field proves that mental and emotional states are capable of shaping our physical health in significant ways, further demonstrating the importance of addressing the mind-body connection.

Why somatic interventions are necessary

Somatic therapies focus on the body’s role in processing emotions. Peter Levine’s work on trauma, especially his somatic experiencing approach, highlights that trauma is not just a psychological event; it’s stored in the body. Traditional "talk" therapies may not be enough to resolve these deeply held emotions. This is where somatic interventions, like EFT, become crucial.

EFT, also known as tapping, combines talk therapy with tapping on specific acupuncture points, allowing individuals to process their emotions in both mind and body simultaneously. By doing so, EFT not only helps reduce emotional distress but also addresses physical symptoms related to trauma, stress, and anxiety.

EFT: Healing the body and mind

EFT is particularly effective because it integrates both psychological and somatic components. When someone taps on specific meridian points while focusing on an emotional issue, it sends calming signals to the brain, especially the amygdala, which is responsible for the fight-or-flight response. This calms the nervous system, allowing the body to release stored emotional tension.

For example, if someone suffers from chronic back pain rooted in emotional trauma, EFT can help identify the emotional cause (such as past stress or unresolved grief) and release it from the body. In turn, physical pain often reduces or disappears because the underlying emotional charge has been neutralised.

Bridging the gap between mental and physical health

As we learn more about the interconnection between the mind and body, it becomes clear that we can no longer treat them as separate. EFT offers an accessible, scientifically supported way to heal both emotional and physical pain at once. By addressing the root causes of mental and physical distress, EFT empowers people to achieve balance and health on a deeper level.

The message is clear: you don’t have to choose between mental or physical health — both can be treated together. And somatic interventions like EFT are a powerful way to bridge that gap.